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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this bed cruel for the dog?

246 replies

HopingSomeoneIsAwake · 16/12/2022 08:41

I have a 9 month old dog who is perfectly house trained and has been for months. The last week or so he has suddenly started pooing in his bed overnight (he is crated because he was when I first got him and it suits him and us too for safety reasons - young children in the house etc). He can be quite anxious at times however he has started new medication (steroids) so that could be the culprit of upsetting his stomach. I know it’s not his fault but it’s actually starting to get me quite down having to do a full load of washing of his bed things every morning to then have to repeat it the day after - would it be cruel for me to take away the bedding in his crate until his stomach issues have resolved? He has never used puppy pads (went straight into the garden when toilet training) and I wouldn’t trust him not to chew them overnight anyway. He has the vets tomorrow and they are going to give him some stomach protection medications so hopefully that helps!

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 16/12/2022 08:43

Yes, that would be cruel, especially with it being so cold. But then I think crates are cruel.
Fleece blankets are easy to wash and dry.

Greenshake · 16/12/2022 08:43

Yes, I think it would be cruel. It’s a freezing cold December, he hasn’t been feeling well and this is part and parcel of being a dog owner.

Original poster
HopingSomeoneIsAwake · 16/12/2022 08:44

KangarooKenny · 16/12/2022 08:43

Yes, that would be cruel, especially with it being so cold. But then I think crates are cruel.
Fleece blankets are easy to wash and dry.

I was asking about the bedding, not the crate, thank you.

OP posts:
Dogscanteatonions · 16/12/2022 08:44

Can't you try newspaper on top maybe or at least try puppy pads??

isthismylifenow · 16/12/2022 08:49

So you would rather just clean out the crate than wash his bedding, is that what you are wanting to do?

If he's not well then making a change to his bed isn't wise. He's probably already feeling down and will really not soil his own bed if he had any other option.

I think you should take the risk with a puppy pads. Maybe put an old towel or sheet in top so the soiling doesn't go through to his bed.

Can you get up in the night to let him out a few times.

I know it's not ideal for you sleep routine but I think pup would also choose to go out to toilet.

Palmtree9 · 16/12/2022 08:49

I'm ready to be told IABU, but I do this with my 2 year old dog, OP. He is a chronic chewer, and even the tough waterproof beds are chewed up and swallowed. The issue with this, before everyone starts having a go, is that if it caused an obstruction in his gut and we need to get him to the vets ASAP to induce vomiting. The time we didn't get him to the vet in time, he nearly died, had major abdo surgery, and will never quite be the same.

Could you try waking up in the night and taking him out to the toilet? That would be nicer than him potentially sitting in it in a crate overnight?

Lorrymum · 16/12/2022 08:50

Is his crate large enough to have an area with newspaper for him to do his business? Dogs hate soiling where they sleep and he would much prefer to poo on newspaper. Put his bedding at other end of crate. Good luck, hope he feels better soon

toastfiend · 16/12/2022 08:51

Would you want to sleep on a hard plastic surface with nothing to make it more comfortable?

It's the middle of winter and it's bloody cold, he'll be miserable and uncomfortable and all you'll be able to hear all night is him tramping around and around in circles in the crate trying to get comfortable. Yes, it would be cruel.

I understand that it's frustrating, but it sounds like there is a known cause, it should be fixed soon, and the poor dog can't really help it. I'd invest in a couple of beds with waterproof covers that you can use alternately, personally - easier and more hygienic to hose down and scrub with dettol/stick in the machine on a quick wash, and they dry fast.

Maybe set an alarm for a couple of points throughout the night so you can let the dog out, too? They would never toilet where they sleep if they had a choice so he is obviously really desperate and this will be distressing for him, too.

Iheartmysmart · 16/12/2022 08:52

Have you got space to attach a puppy playpen to his crate? You could then line that with newspaper or puppy pads for a quick clean up in the morning. I’m sure the poor dog is as fed up with this as you are. It can’t be pleasant for him either.

Bellaboo01 · 16/12/2022 08:52

Do you really need an answer to this question? Of course it would be cruel!

Bearblue26 · 16/12/2022 08:54

KangarooKenny · 16/12/2022 08:43

Yes, that would be cruel, especially with it being so cold. But then I think crates are cruel.
Fleece blankets are easy to wash and dry.

Can I ask why you think crates are cruel? My crate is huge for my puppy and it is inside a playpen with the crate door open, where he has access to water and safe toys. It’s his little safe space that he loves taking himself off to and having a little rest. He is so cosy at night in it

SchoolQuestionnaire · 16/12/2022 08:55

One of our dogs had issues a couple of years ago. I bought some waterproof cot bedding to put over the mattress, then covered with a couple of old towels and then a cheap fleecy blanket (I bought a load from somewhere like Dunelm). That way I could just pull off the top layers and wash. Or even just throw away if it was particularly bad, but at least I wasn’t having to wash the mattress every day.

I know it’s frustrating waking up to this every morning, hopefully he’s on the mend soon.Flowers

StrawberryPot · 16/12/2022 08:55

Yes it would be cruel. And I also agree with Greenshake that crates are cruel. How awful for a dog to be caged overnight with its own excrement. And you're suggesting he sleeps on a hard surface too?

How many times are you getting up through the night to check on him to see if he needs to be out/his bedding needs changing?

If the cage is in the kitchen could you leave the door open and close the kitchen door? That way he could move off his bedding if he needs to relieve himself and do it away from where he sleeps - hopefully on a hard floor that would be easier to clean than bedding?

Choconut · 16/12/2022 08:56

Bearblue26 · 16/12/2022 08:54

Can I ask why you think crates are cruel? My crate is huge for my puppy and it is inside a playpen with the crate door open, where he has access to water and safe toys. It’s his little safe space that he loves taking himself off to and having a little rest. He is so cosy at night in it

Show quote history

Yes but you're not shutting him in a small crate all night where he is having to poo in his bed because he has no other choice.

AwkwardPaws27 · 16/12/2022 08:56

DDog was on high dose of steroids for about 6 months, & was peeing & pooping lots more frequently due to this. He couldn't hold it, & we couldn't sustain getting up hourly overnight (especially as I was pregnant), so we used washable incontinence sheets as reusable puppy pads. They could be a compromise? Soft enough to be a bed but easier to wash than a regular dog bed.

Mamamia7962 · 16/12/2022 08:56

How big is the crate? Could you have old towels and a blanket one end for him to lay on and newspaper the other end? Could you get up in the night and take him out, as it's only temporary.

If your child had diarrhea and vomiting you wouldn't make them lay on just a mattress with no other bedding would you, so why do that to a 9 month old puppy.

Blowyourowntrumpet · 16/12/2022 08:58

Of course it's cruel. I can't believe you're even contemplating this. Why don't you try sleeping with no bedding tonight and see how it feels

ILoveYouMoreTheEnd · 16/12/2022 08:58

Hi, can I ask what his new med is for? And has he been an anxious dog always or just recently. I wouldn't take the bedding away. What about vet bedding? It's quicker drying and comfortable for him. Hopefully his little tummy will resolve soon. We have one of our dogs crate trained as she was used to the crate when we got her at 10 months. She loves her crate and so do our other 3 dogs haha! The crate is left open during the day and closed at night when she sleeps. The bedding is a pain I agree in this weather. Every morning must do your head in.

Bearblue26 · 16/12/2022 08:58

Choconut · 16/12/2022 08:56

Yes but you're not shutting him in a small crate all night where he is having to poo in his bed because he has no other choice.

Show quote history

For the first month the crate door was shut and there was enough room for a puppy pad at the entrance which he only soiled once.

The previous poster suggested that they generally think crates are cruel so I am just curious to find out why they think that

Original poster
HopingSomeoneIsAwake · 16/12/2022 08:58

Choconut · 16/12/2022 08:56

Yes but you're not shutting him in a small crate all night where he is having to poo in his bed because he has no other choice.

Show quote history

First of all who said it was a small crate? He is a small dog in a large breed crate so he has plenty of room. And yes I would rather keep it contained in one area then spread all around my front room and kitchen thank you which is extremely unhygienic with young children running around.

OP posts:
SirSniffsAlot · 16/12/2022 09:00

Yes. It's unreasonable to ask a young dog (any dog) to sleep with no bedding at all during winter.

Get up in the night or wash the bedding. Steroid medication is rarely appropriate for long term use, so it's likely for a finite time.

Pancakeorcrepe · 16/12/2022 09:00

Of course it is cruel! Pup is already unwell and now you want to make him sleep on a bare crate? This is all part and parcel of being a dog owner. You don’t sound caring at all.

Clymene · 16/12/2022 09:01

You chose to get a dog with young children. It's not the dog's fault.

Keeping a dog locked in an empty crate overnight because it's more convenient to you is horrible. And my dog has a crate but the door is never shut unless I'm transporting him

ElephantInTheKitchen · 16/12/2022 09:01

Of course yabu.

Dog ownership is frequently an exercise in inconveniencing yourself to improve your dog's comfort or enjoyment. A bit of extra laundry isn't particularly high up the list of inconveniences.

Do I want to freeze my tits off in the park at this time of year so my dog can go gallivanting and sniffing other dog's bottoms? Not really but I do it anyway. Same thing really.

Original poster
HopingSomeoneIsAwake · 16/12/2022 09:02

Clymene · 16/12/2022 09:01

You chose to get a dog with young children. It's not the dog's fault.

Keeping a dog locked in an empty crate overnight because it's more convenient to you is horrible. And my dog has a crate but the door is never shut unless I'm transporting him

My dog is absolutely fine in his crate in general, thank you, and he often sleeps on the part that is bare anyway (his bed doesn’t stretch the whole way along his crate)

OP posts: