Pet Worshiper is reader-supported. This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission if you buy something through these links. This means no extra cost to you.

The Best mulch for dogs 2022 – safe and unsafe mulches for pets

Written by: Peter Laskay
Reviewed by: Amber LaRock
Last updated on:

If you need to know the answer right now:

I pick 100% Natural Cedar Chips manufactured by Wood Smith USA as the best mulch for dogs.

I also put some useful information in this article so you should continue reading. 

Fortunately, more and more people are aware that mulch is not just a thing used in the garden. It is also a very useful type of bedding for dogs and other pets. After all, it has warm, comfortable, and other positive qualities and can be a useful accessory in your home and garden. I will write about these in my article. I write about safe and harmful mulches. I also selected the best products on the market and reviewed all of them. If you are curious about the result, read on.

Product table for the best mulches for dogs

[wptb id=4136]

What are the best mulches for dogs?

You will see from my article that there are several types of mulch. This makes it difficult to choose one, as each has a different advantage. I collected the top eight and reviewed them. At the end, of course, I describe which one I chose as my favorite.

100% Natural Cedar Chips

This product is versatile. On the one hand, it provides a perfect bed for your dog, and on the other hand, it is also a great mulch for plants.

You can use it both indoors and outdoors.

Made from natural Red Cedar chips that are fresh. The scent is also fresh and long-lasting, and the odor control is also great. Its ability to absorb moisture is also adequate. In short, it is a very good mulch against urine and the unpleasant odors it causes.

The size of the package is quite large, sufficient for a long time with average use. Thanks to cedar oil, ticks and fleas will stay away from your dog. The chips are small and there is no added chemical to which your dog could be sensitive.


Pet’s Pick Cedar Bedding

Pet’s Pick should not be missed when looking for the best quality mulch for our dog.

It is a mulch made of cedar chips that can be used outdoors and indoors. Ideal to place in a dog house.

During production, great care was taken to ensure that there were no harmful substances in the product. It does not contain the dust that could cause allergies. Due to the drying process, the odor control and absorbency of this mulch are outstandingly high.

Cedar chips are warm and comfortable for dogs and easy for the owner to handle. This is a very good choice.


100% Natural Cedar Shavings

This is another product made of cedar shavings.

As before, you can use this mulch both indoors and outdoors. It has a long-lasting scent and very good odor control.

Pets love it especially, but if you don’t have an animal in your apartment, you can still make use of it. In short, it is very versatile. The chips are small, fine, and soft. You can make your dog’s house really comfortable with this mulch.


Rubberific Rubber Mulch

This is the first rubber mulch on my list. But why should you choose this?

The answer to this question is simple.

Chewing mulch can lead to digestive problems in the long run. Experience has shown that rubber mulch is less commonly chewed by dogs. This is probably because they like the taste of wood and not rubber.

So if your dog chews more traditional wood mulch than usual, you may want to get a product made from rubber. Otherwise, it is completely safe and non-toxic to dogs.

In addition, it is very easy to handle and clean. It is extremely convenient and pests stay away from it.


Pestell Pet Products Easy Clean Cedar Bedding

If you have been looking for a good mulch for your dog for a long time, be sure to consider this.

Made from 100% natural ingredients, which is always a good choice for such a product.

This cedar mulch is soft, fragrant, and very versatile. You can use it with dogs, cats, but any pet. Perfect for both outdoor and indoor use. It does not contain any toxic substances, so it can be used safely.

It has very good absorbency and odor control. It also prevents mold and bacterial growth. And because it’s cedar, it also keeps pests away.


Kaytee Red Center Bedding

Like other cedar mulch, it is natural, degradable, and smells good.

Kaytee products are generally not disappointing, nor is it any different with this cedar chips mulch.

A 6.6-pound pack is sufficient for a long time under normal use. Not only good for dogs, but for any pet. If your dog is allergic to dust, you don’t have to worry either. The product is dust-free, guaranteed by the manufacturer.

Of course, typical of cedar, this mulch also drives away ticks and fleas. In addition, it has very good absorbency and odor control. The size of the chips is not as small as the other products. Because of this, it is not necessarily the best choice for small dogs. But it is excellent for medium and large dogs.


Vigoro 0.8 cu. ft. Rubber Mulch

This is another rubber mulch on my list with lots of positive features.

It has a 12-year color warranty and the manufacturer guarantees that its product will withstand all weather conditions.

Your dog won’t chew on this mulch, but he will love it all the more. It is comfortable and holds heat great. Of course, this product is also versatile, so you can use it outdoors and indoors for all kinds of pets.


Cedar Mulch Granules for dogs

The last product on my list is also made of cedar. It has a lot of positive qualities.

It contains no toxic chemicals, is GMO-free, and smells extremely good.

Due to its large packaging, it is an excellent choice for large dogs. The manufacturer is very proud of the quality of its product. It is no accident as it is completely safe and does not cause any allergies or irritation.

Unlike the cedar product listed so far, it is not made up of chips, but rather granules. This makes it much finer, softer, and more comfortable.

If you use this product, you don’t have to worry about fleas and ticks. Suitable for both outdoor and indoor use. Your dog will be grateful if you use this in the kennel.


My pick for the best mulch for dogs

It would be difficult to choose from the products listed, as all of them were sympathetic to me. For me, cedar is my favorite, of course, that doesn’t mean the rubber isn’t good. The best mulch is 100% Natural Cedar Chips manufactured by Wood Smith USA.

.

Click here to get one for your puppy.


mulch for dogs

Why should you buy mulch for your dogs?

We all want the best for our dogs. Therefore, you need to buy the best products, and mulch is no exception. But why is it worth buying at all? Mulch has several benefits, which I will detail immediately.

Odor control

Dogs can sometimes be quite smelly. Fortunately, mulch has very good odor control. The cedar mulch otherwise has a particularly pleasant scent. In addition, it absorbs urine and the odors from it perfectly. This way, your puppy’s bed stays fresh. You can use it in kennels and also in dog houses.

Comfort

The mulch is very comfortable and dogs love it. It can be a nice addition to your puppy’s bed that he will love to lie in. The mulch is so soft that even the fall can be dampened. Because of this, it is often placed on many playgrounds for safety.

Warmth

The mulch also holds heat extremely well. This is another reason to put it in the dog house. In the winter months, you should definitely get some mulch for your puppy.

Pest control

Mulch is not only comfortable, smells good and safe. In addition to these, cedar mulch keeps ticks and fleas away great.

best mulch for dogs

What types of mulches are safe for dogs?

It is a very good idea to place mulch to your dog’s designated place. But unfortunately, not all types are suitable for dogs. I list the safe varieties below. And then I’ll write about dangerous mulches.

Pine

Many people use pine bark mulch as bedding for their dog. Because it is comfortable, it holds moisture and heat perfectly. It heats in winter and cools in summer. Make sure you choose a premium quality product that does not contain any toxins. If you choose thicker shavings, they will last longer and you won’t need to change them often.

Cedar

This type of mulch has the beneficial properties of pine, and even more. Cedar is hated by ticks and fleas, which is why many people use it as a so-called “bug repellent.” The only thing you need to pay attention to about cedar is that it can cause an upset stomach. For this reason, do not buy such mulch for your dog who likes to chew. Cedar mulch is usually painted red, but usually, this dye is non-toxic.

Rubber

This solution may seem strange at first. However, rubber mulch is completely safe and has positive properties. Comfortable, warm, and dogs don’t want to chew on it. In addition, it is extremely easy to clean. Because it does not absorb moisture, it is easy to get rid of urine. After that, your rubber mulch will be exactly like new. In addition, it lasts longer than other types.

What kind of mulch should you avoid?

Since I wrote about safe mulches earlier, I think you suspect that there are also dangerous varieties. I will write about these in a few words.

Cocoa Bean Mulch

I guess you’ve heard that chocolate is very dangerous for dogs. Well, chocolate is made from cocoa beans. Because of this, mulch made from cocoa bean shells will be just as dangerous. Due to its caffeine and theobromine content, it causes very dangerous symptoms such as a fast heartbeat, seizures, or even death. Because dogs tend to chew mulch, be sure to avoid this version.

Rocks

Because of the water flow, for example, this may seem like a good idea. But don’t forget that dogs love to chew. And you should avoid having your doggy chew on the rocks. This can cause serious dental and digestive problems.

Is dyed mulch safe for your dog?

My advice is to always try to choose products that contain natural ingredients. However, in the case of some mulch (e.g. cedar) dyes are quite common. Still, you don’t have to worry, these substances are non-toxic, mostly harmless to dogs and other pets as well. I have tried to select all the products on my list so as not to hurt your puppy for sure.

best mulch for dogs

Why does your dog eat mulch and what can happen?

Dogs are natural chewers. This is especially true for puppies. However, if you notice that your dog is chewing more than usual, boredom may be one of the reasons. Do you provide enough exercise for your pet? If not, try walking, running, etc. a little more.

Due to the chewing instincts of dogs, plenty of equipment like chew toys has been developed. Consider buying one or more of these for your dog. So at least he’s not going to chew on mulch, and there are plenty of other options these toys can offer (e.g. training).

Sometimes dogs chew mulch because they lack certain nutrients. Obviously, this is not easy to find out. However, if you suspect this, you may want to change your dog’s food. There are recipes that contain adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals. You may want to seek the advice of your veterinarian.

In the short term, chewing mulch has no negative effects (except for toxic varieties). Nevertheless, the goal should be to keep your dog from chewing them many times. It can have negative effects in the long run. Cedar fibers can be harmful to the digestive system. And pine needles can stab the stomach lining.

Try to get proper training and chew toys to keep your dog from chewing the mulch too many times.

Frequently asked questions about the best mulch for dogs


Photo of author
Author:
Hey, my name is Peter, and I am the owner of this site. I have loved animals since I was a kid. I am constantly training myself; I recently obtained an accredited certificate in pet nutrition. But I am constantly learning about training, grooming for dogs and cats. I am currently a happy owner of two dogs, six cats, and two red-eared sliders. My goal is to provide my visitors with the most authentic information possible on any pet-related topic.
Amber LaRock
Reviewed By An Expert:

My name is Amber, and I am a licensed vet tech with 10 years of experience in the field. I spent the majority of my career working in emergency medicine but recently transitioned to creating accurate pet care information online. There is nothing more important to me than helping pet owners understand their furry friend’s health, and giving you the tools you need to offer your pet the best future possible!

Leave a Comment