Why Use Cedar Chips for Dog Bedding?

Pew... That Stinks

• Dog beds made with ordinary fiber filling absorb odors, which can ferment and make the air smell unpleasant. The more your dog lies on the bed, the worse these odors become. Cedar chip dog bedding has a sweet, fresh smell and the cedar itself not only absorbs pet odors, but also neutralizes them. The sweet smell of the cedar bedding transfers to your dog's fur as she lies on the bed, eventually making her smell just as fresh.

Fleas Be Gone

• Fleas can be a nuisance to both dogs and their owners. While flea season usually runs from early spring to late fall, infestations can occur all year long inside the home. These tiny, wingless insects feed off the blood of animals and humans, surviving only for as long as a host is available. Cedar is a natural flea repellent, so giving your pooch a cedar chip bed to lie on can help keep his sleeping area a flea-free zone.

It's Not What You Think

• While the idea of lying on a pile of cedar chips sounds a bit uncomfortable, the truth is that dog beds made of cedar chips are actually quite cozy. Cedar chip dog beds are more than pillows filled with pieces of wood. Quality dog beds contain a combination of soft, machine-blown poly-fill and finely shredded cedar chips. Buy a dog bed that is refillable and you have it made. When the bed begins to lose its form or when the smell of the cedar begins to fade away, simply unzip the dog bed and refill with fresh cedar filling.

Not For Every Dog

• Some dogs do not tolerate cedar chip bedding. When the natural oils from the cedar chips seep through the fabric of the bedding it comes in contact with the dog's skin. This can cause an allergic reaction in some dogs that involves itching. Continuous itching can lead to hair loss in the affected areas. As the problem progresses, the scratching can lead to open wounds and infection. Dogs that have chewing issues may chew their beds, allowing some of the cedar chip contents to spill out. This can lead to further health troubles if the dogs ingest the chips. Dogs that chew on cedar chips can develop constipation and obstructions in the digestive tract.