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We treat them like humans. "It's cold, I'll give him a blanket." In a heated house, that's fine. In an unheated dog house, that blanket is a death trap. The physics of Capillary Action turns comfort into a freezing hazard.
🧽 1. The Sponge Effect Fabric is hygroscopic (water-loving). Even if the floor is only slightly damp, a towel or blanket acts as a Wick. It pulls moisture up from the floor and absorbs the humidity from the dog's breath. Within hours, the fabric is damp. When the temperature drops, that damp fabric freezes solid.
🥶 2. The Thermal Heatsink A dry blanket insulates because it traps air. A wet blanket insulates nothing. Water conducts heat 25 times faster than air. A wet towel sucks the body heat out of the dog and transfers it to the ground. The dog is essentially sleeping on a sheet of ice that is actively cooling them down.
🌾 3. Straw: The Hollow Insulator The solution is Straw (or Cedar Shavings). Straw is hollow. It traps dead air inside its stems (insulation). Crucially, it is Hydrophobic. It doesn't wick water. Moisture sinks to the bottom, away from the dog, while the top layer stays dry and warm. The dog can burrow into it, creating a "nest" that retains heat.
The Rule: If there is no heater: No Fabric. Fill the shelter with Straw (not Hay!) so the dog can burrow.
#DogSafety #WinterCare #PetSafety #Thermodynamics #StrawForStrays #K9Unit #VeterinaryAdvice #AnimalRescue #USA
📌 QUICK FAQ
Q: Why not Hay? R: Hay is food. 🐴 Hay (green grass) absorbs moisture, rots, grows mold, and freezes into a brick. Straw (yellow stalks) is bedding. It repels moisture and stays fluffy. Straw = Sleep. Hay = Eat.
Q: Are Cedar Shavings safe? R: Yes, with a caveat. 🌲 Cedar is excellent because it repels fleas and smells good. However, for extreme cold, long-stem Straw is better because it allows the dog to "nest" (burrow and cover their nose/paws). Shavings tend to pack down flat.
Q: What if I change the blankets every day? R: Risky. ⚠️ Unless you change them every few hours, a wet snowstorm or high humidity can freeze the blanket in the middle of the night. Straw is a passive safety system that works for weeks without intervention.
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how you can help
We encourage concerned citizens to work with caretakers in order to improve the life of a dog outdoors. Talk to your neighbors, offer support (not judgement) and do what you can, where you are.
Together we can make a difference!
Straw For Dogs is a 501(c)3 organization that depends on individual donations to support our mission of providing supplies and resources for pets outdoors.
Your donation is tax deductible, meaningful and accounted for.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
how we help
NEED ASSISTANCE?
Straw For Dog assists caretakers and concerned citizens with pets outdoors in Alaska.
Do you know a dog who needs a warm, sturdy shelter? Does your own pet spend time outdoors?
We offer free supplies such as doghouses, straw, food, toys, and treats as well as resources including spay/neuter services and training advice to Alaskan residents.
Please fill out our easy, online application form found on our Application for Assistance page.



