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magnusfide's avatar
magnusfide
Explorer II
May 01, 2018

Dog House Materials

A question for Dr. Doug. A friend has had dogs for more than 60 years and always built their dog houses from cedar with no problems. He was told yesterday that cedar is not recommended for a dog house because of allergic reactions.

Is cedar an allergy issue for dog house materials?
  • dturm wrote:
    While dogs can have allergies to just about anything in their environment, cedar is not one I've frequently seen. Cedar has some natural insect repellent properties, so it is frequently used as bedding and construction. If this dog hasn't shown allergies to anything else, no worries.

    That's what I thought.
    The friend was being lectured at by a Humane Society person. She also told him that his 300 sq ft play yard for his two dogs was unacceptable because dogs should be kept inside. The play yard he has is shaded by trees, has plenty of water and food and even the cedar dog houses. He thinks she was one of those fanatics with little information and experience. I think she was being a busy body.
  • While dogs can have allergies to just about anything in their environment, cedar is not one I've frequently seen. Cedar has some natural insect repellent properties, so it is frequently used as bedding and construction. If this dog hasn't shown allergies to anything else, no worries.