Can Cedar Chips Be Toxic to Dogs?
Cedar chips have been used for dog bedding for years, but is it safe for your pet? Are cedar chips toxic or are they helpful to your dog's health?
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Western Red Cedar
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Most cedar dog beds manufactured use Western Red Cedar, a member of the cypress family along with evergreens and arborvitaes, found in the Northwestern states and Canada.
Cedar Oil
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Cedar oil has been used over the centuries by many societies to cure various ailments: indigestion, flatulence, small pox, fever and bubonic plague. It was also used as an insect repellent.
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Myths about Cedar
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One 18th century English myth about cedar was that it affected a dog's smelling ability.
Possible Health Problems
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Although cedar chips haven't been found toxic to dogs, some dogs, if sensitive, may develop contact allergies ( itching and hair loss).
If eaten, cedar chips may cause digestive problems.
Pluses of Cedar Beds
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Cedar beds produce a sweet, pleasant scent that helps eliminate dog odor.
Cedar oil will repel fleas.
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