"Hay is an amazing insulator because it's a cheap source of something that is going to really warm up your animal," Newell said. "You can get a huge bail of hay from anywhere from $10 to $15 and that hay splits off into smaller flakes and you can use just a couple flakes, you know, for one dog."
During winter months, animals tend to require more food to keep themselves warm. This can be achieved by providing good quality hay and continue to provide fresh fruit and veg.
Although hay and straw often make suitable beddings for livestock, they are poor choices for dogs. Hay and straw often serve as great habitat for fleas, as well as other bugs, such as the mites that cause sarcoptic mange.
Basic insulation will help keep your dog's home much warmer. Foil-backed foam boards are probably the best choice for your dog's house, as they are easy to install and very effective.
Long-stem grass hay is the best natural type of doghouse bedding that is available in most regions. Some dog owners think that grass hay and straw are the same, but the only thing they really share is that they are both plant material. Straw is the stem of individual wheat plants.
Provide them with blankets
As mentioned, old blankets and duvets are great for keeping your dog warm and cosy overnight. If they're sleeping in a crate, draping old bedding over the top can also help keep heat inside the crate, keeping your dog comfortable in colder weather.
Purchase a heater or heat lamp.
You can also purchase a heat pad to keep under the dog so that there is a heat source close by. This is one of the safest methods of heating a dog's sleeping area, especially if there is no insulation in your dog kennel or garage.
If your dog is outdoors much of the day for any reason, they must be protected by a dry, draft-free shelter that is large enough to allow them to move comfortably, but small enough to hold in body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches from the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw.
They look similar, but while straw makes excellent bedding for outdoor cat shelters, hay becomes a soggy mess. Hay is typically used to feed animals, like horses. It soaks up moisture, making it cold and uncomfortable for catsand has the potential to get moldy.
Lots of trapped air, so it works as a very good insulator between bedded down animal, and the cold ground under them. Most of the grasses with which hay is made does not have as much stalk, and does not provide as good of insulation with the same amount of material.
Hay is cut grasses and legumes, and is more frequently used for feed, but low-quality hay can be suitable as bedding. Hay is heavier than straw and may be more difficult to handle. It is very absorbent but will begin to decay quickly once it becomes soiled, which may mean more frequent cleanings are required.
Compared to hay, straw is a warmer rabbit bedding.
Straw is basically hollow plant stalks, allowing for warm air to be trapped in the hollow of the stalk. That's why straw is a warmer rabbit bedding than hay–because it's able to trap warm air in the hollow straw stalks.
Benefits of using Straw and Hay as insulation
They make great insulators as they are full of air pockets, air being a great thermal break does not allow heat to be transferred to sensitive areas like the inside barns where animals are living.
Many people do believe alfalfa is the best hay to feed in winter for warmth. I suspect this is due to alfalfa's high protein content and the fact that metabolizing protein isn't the most efficient process—thus, it generates metabolic heat.
Do Dogs Get Cold at Night? It is possible for dogs to get cold at night, even if they're kept indoors. "If you think your dog is getting cold at night, consider giving him a cozy blanket to snuggle up to in bed. Most dogs will not feel cold at night or will seek out a warmer place if they do," says Satchu.
If the tips of your pet's ears are warm, they're probably warm enough all over – the extremities tend to get cold first. Animals which are smaller, leaner, or animals with shorter coats will feel the cold much more acutely.
50-60 degrees and higher are safe temperatures for your dog. 85+ degree temperatures are a different beast in itself, but we're just talking about cool to cold temperatures here. 45 degrees or so are generally acceptable, but you'll still want to keep an eye on how your dog is handling itself in these temperatures.
2) A warm spot for wintry nights
Many dog owners think that their pooch is fine without extra blankets during the winter because it has fur, but veterinarians advise giving your dog warm clothes or keeping them warm by spreading a blanket.
The most common risk of your dog sleeping outside is feeling cold and therefore discomfort. However, in very cold areas dogs can be susceptible to hypothermia, which occurs when a dog's body temperature drops too low. Mild to moderate symptoms include weakness, a lack of alertness and muscle stiffness.
Cats and dogs should be kept inside during cold weather. It's a common belief that dogs and cats are more resistant than people to cold weather because of their fur, but it's untrue. Like people, cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and generally should be kept inside.
Keep Your Dog Warm – Sleeping on a blanket instead of tile or a hardwood floor can provide your dog a source of warmth and comfort on a cold winter night. This is especially true if you don't sleep in the same room as your dog, or don't allow them on your living room furniture.
Whether your dog is staying outside, sleeps indoors, or in a garage, it's important to keep them warm at night. For many, especially those of you with smaller dogs or dogs with thinner coats, keeping your dog warm at night is a must for not only their comfort, but also their wellbeing and general health.