You love your furry friend, right? So what can you do to demonstrate that love? Well, the first thing is to keep them comfortable.
One of the best ways to do this is by covering your dog’s potty area, part of your backyard, or dog run with mulch to keep it comfortable.
The best mulch for your dog run should be:
- Absorbent
- Warm
- Comfortable
Stay with us as we navigate through the buying process for mulch for your dog run.
Top Mulch for Dog Run – Comparison Table
If you’re one of the people who don’t like reading through multiple paragraphs for information, the following summed up list is for you. We’ve kept it simple and illustrative.
| # | Name | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red Cedar Pet Bedding for Dogs and Horses by PETSPICK | 1 Pounds | Check Price |
| 2 | Cedar Mulch Granules 8lb Bag by Cedarcide | 9 pounds | Check Price |
| 3 | Biodegradable Organic Processed Straw Seeding Mulch with Tack by EZ-Straw | 23 pounds | Check Price |
| 4 | Cedar Bedding, 5.0 cu ft for Dog Beds, Houses and Runs by Pet’s Pick | – | Check Price |
| 5 | Natural Paper Bedding by Small Pet Select | 5.2 Pounds | Check Price |
| 6 | Easy Clean Cedar Bedding, 113 Liters by Pestell Pet Products | 1 Pounds | Check Price |
| 7 | Natural Cedar Shavings by Four Winds Trading | 4 ounces | Check Price |
The Best Mulch for Dog Run:
1. Pet’s Pick 5.0 Cu ft Dog Cedar Bedding
Keep your dog or cat’s runs, houses and beds odor-free using this cedar bedding by Pet’s Pick.
The featured cedar chips are dried in the kiln to get rid of harmful bacteria and to allow better absorption.
What’s more, the chips are screened thrice in order to extract dust bits that may irritate your pets.
Additionally, they support your furry friend’s place comfortability and keeps it clean.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to replace
- Keeps pets warm and dry
- Multipurpose use
Cons
- Still contains some dust
2. Cedarcide Insect Repelling 8 lb Bag Cedar Mulch Granules
Last update on 2024-08-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It doesn’t matter if you have a pet or not, it’s important to protect your family against toxic chemicals and dangerous pests.
This premium-quality and eco-friendly pest repellent is tested before release to determine its efficiency. In fact, it has been reviewed by many users as one of the best mulch for dogs.
All the ingredients used are GMO-free, plant-based, and are naturally sourced. The mulch granules are highly refined to make them non-allergic to the skin.
Admittedly, some necessary synthetic constituents are added to stabilize this formula and avoid separation.
This 8 lb bag is able to treat about 3,500 square feet and repels pests like ticks, mites, fleas or mosquitoes.
Pros
- Repels pests
- Comprises 100% natural ingredients
- Non-toxic
Cons
- Very expensive
Check This: Best Dog Leash Holder Models and & Hooks.
3. EZ Straw 2.5 FT Organic Processed Straw Mulch Seeding with Tack
Last update on 2024-08-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Have you been admiring to have a beautiful lawn and don’t know how to do it? The perfect solution is this EZ Straw mulch that guards your planted grass seeds against getting eroded away and further promotes their fast germination.
Moreover, the mulch biodegrades thus no need for clean-up, keeps birds at bay and allows you to water the seedlings less.
This mulch covers around 500 sq. ft, and features a tackifier that holds it together and aids decomposition.
Pros
- Application is easy
- Eco-friendly
- Highly effective
- Protects grass seeds
Cons
- Contains some weeds
- Doesn’t last long
4. F.M Brown’s Red Cedar Shavings Press-Packed Premier Pet Bedding
Last update on 2024-08-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
F.M Browns is a leading producer of top-quality pet-safe products and puts their comfort in mind.
This package contains aromatic pure red cedar shavings that make perfect beddings for dogs or small animals.
Point to note, the cages of the animals should be properly ventilated to allow enough airflow.
The shavings serve as natural repellents to ticks or fleas and expand to 5.0 cubic ft.
Pros
- Very absorbent
- Biodegradable
- Affordable
- Effective insect repellent
Cons
- Little cedar smell
- Won’t spread to 5.0 cu.ft as cited
5. Wood-Hawk All Natural Red Cedar Wood Aromatic Shavings
Last update on 2024-08-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are looking for an affordable mulch for dog run, then look no more. This formula is made from 100% pure red cedar logs and is perfect for making small-sized animal beddings.
Or you may alternatively use the shavings for crafting, gardening or air freshening.
The plastic 4 lbs, 2 lbs, and 8 lbs packets are properly sealed to contain the fresh aroma.
Lastly, the shavings are biodegradable, features no harmful substances and keeps away pests or insects.
Pros
- Available in multiple sizes
- Decomposable
- Great insect repellant
Cons
- Faint cedar aroma
- There are complaints about the formula containing some dust particles
6. Pestell Pet Products Easy Clean 113 Liters Cedar Bedding
Last update on 2024-08-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conveniently fill your dog or cat’s nesting place with this cedar bedding with this awesome cedar bedding.
The cedar shavings make your dogs comfortable while the incorporated freshness inspires them to stay in their house for long.
The packet contains 113 liters of Easy Clean Cedar bedding which equals 4 cu.ft. Value for money is what you will get from this formula.
Other alternative uses of this gentler mulch are gardening, making beds for most small animals, pest prevention and outdoor gardening.
Pros
- Provides endless freshness
- Ensures pet comfortability
- Multipurpose use
- Offered in many sizes
Cons
- Quite expensive
7. Four Winds Trading 8 Quart Natural Cedar Shavings
Last update on 2024-08-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These Four Winds cedar shavings are not only the best mulch for dogs but are similarly great for crafting, gardening, and some other artisan crafts.
The 100% natural cedar shavings are capable of fighting bad odors and are highly absorbent.
Ass an added benefit, the shavings can be shoved into animal pillows or other household cloth bags to serve as an air freshener, or even in the garages or warehouses.
To add on the above benefits, this pocket-friendly formula helps keep bugs, moths, and other pests or insects away.
Pros
- Great for both outdoor and indoor use
- Features an aromatic cedar scent
- Ideal for animal bedding
- Multiple uses
Cons
- Not suitable for covering large spaces
Buying Guide
The best mulch for dog runs comes in different materials and as you are soon to discover, not all mulch material is ideal for your pooch.
This then requires you to consider a few crucial factors.
Did You Know?
Mulch protects both plants and animals from cold and heat making it a natural insulator? Let us now look at some of the mulch materials you need to consider.
Natural Mulch
One of the natural forms of mulch is pine which offers a good ground cover option for your dog run. It is soft and offers a comfortable layer that your pooch will be happy to lay on.
Cedar is also another form of natural mulch that offers a good option but with it, you need to test if your dog is allergic.
Use a sample on your dog’s skin and wait to see if there will be any rashes or irritation. If your pooch remains unaffected, then you can consider cedar as a viable option.
While natural mulch does a good job at absorbing fecal matter and urine, you will have to change it on a regular basis.
Artificial Mulch
Synthetic mulch is also a top choice and mostly comes in the form shredded rubber. It is sourced from shoe soles and recycled tires that provide a nontoxic cover.
The good thing about synthetic mulch is that it is easy to clean and is non-porous. All you have to do is use a pressure hose to water down any dirt.
Put gravel underneath the mulch to drain urine and prevent it from pooling.
Homemade Mulch
If you are the kind of person that likes to save on costs, you may want to make your own mulch. You can shred some wood, or collect scrap wood and use it.
Nevertheless, opting to go the DIY way requires you to be extra careful in terms of ensuring that the mulch is safe for your dog, and is in the right consistency.
Safety
You want to use a mulch option that has been certified to be safe for your dog’s use. For instance, lumber transformed into mulch is likely to cause health issues for your dog.
If you expose your pooch to toxic mulch for an extended period, they are likely to develop skin rashes and respiratory issues.
Besides that, always supervise your pooch to ensure that they do not ingest mulch as it can be detrimental to their digestive tract.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions in respect to this topic, the ones we have answered below can be of some help.
What will happen if my dog eats mulch?
Some of the materials used for mulch can be toxic and cause tremors or vomiting when ingested.
Besides, mulch may also irritate or block your dog’s digestive tract if eaten.
Will my dog poop on mulch?
It all depends on the behavioral tendencies of your pooch. While most dogs will not poop on mulch, there is no guarantee that your dog will not walk on, chew on, or poop on their mulch.
Is it safe to leave my dog on the balcony?
No, it is not. Never leave your pooch unsupervised on a balcony even if it is for a few minutes because it takes only a second to get into trouble or mess things up.
Which One is The Best?
For the money, we’d go for the Cedarcide Insect Repelling 8 lb Bag Cedar Mulch Granules. We like the fact that it’s really well-made and insect repellant. What’s more? It’s made up of GMO-free components.
Final Thoughts
Mulch offers a great way to keep your pooch comfortable, warm and safe irrespective of the weather.
It is important to pick a quality product and as you shop, you will realize that there are various options to choose from which can leave you at a loss.
No need to worry though, because we have put together this guide to help you make an informed decision. Happy shopping!
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