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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:
IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 16/12/2022 10:04

I have no issues with using a crate and not really worried about whether the dog sleeps on the floor or on bedding but I wonder if you have thought the whole thing through? I would prefer to stick a load of washing in the machine rather than get down and dirty with the crate floor - especially in this weather.

Could you use broken down cardboard with newspaper so she has something slightly softer and you don't have to scrub the base?

StrawberryPot · 16/12/2022 10:04

FrostyFifi · 16/12/2022 10:01

I think some of the responses here accusing the OP of cruelty are a bit OTT if you consider that in some countries dogs spend their whole lives outside with a chain around their necks. Bit of perspective is always a good thing...

What an absolutely ridiculous comment. The bar is a bit higher in this country - thank goodness.

FiveShelties · 16/12/2022 10:04

FrostyFifi · 16/12/2022 10:01

I think some of the responses here accusing the OP of cruelty are a bit OTT if you consider that in some countries dogs spend their whole lives outside with a chain around their necks. Bit of perspective is always a good thing...

It is not a race to the bottom surely.

LimitIsUp · 16/12/2022 10:05

You can buy vet bedding from Amazon. It dries super quickly after washing

5128gap · 16/12/2022 10:06

If the rooms warm he won't die and I'd imagine the RSPCA won't come round, so, much like caging him rather than supervising or puppy proofing for his safety, you get to decide whether your convenience is more important than his quality of life. I wouldn't do it, but you've presumably educated yourself on the needs of dogs to be aware of the issues, so only you can decide if you're comfortable with that.

FrostyFifi · 16/12/2022 10:06

It's not a race to the bottom but nor is anything the OP is describing animal cruelty and it's silly and hysterical to describe it as such. That's what's ridiculous not my comment.

Coldhouseflowers · 16/12/2022 10:07

It makes me laugh that a qualified vet expresses concerns about crates but of course other posters know better ! It’s absolutely not natural to keep a dog CAGED all night and let’s be frank the only thing it benefits is the owner ! Ok if the door is open but to be locked up for hours on end is cruel !

whowhatwerewhy · 16/12/2022 10:07

I have one dog who absolutely hates beds , will not have a bed will totally destroy it . Happily sleeps in a creat with no bedding.
You could try vet bed as it washes well

StrawberryPot · 16/12/2022 10:09

FrostyFifi · 16/12/2022 10:06

It's not a race to the bottom but nor is anything the OP is describing animal cruelty and it's silly and hysterical to describe it as such. That's what's ridiculous not my comment.

You don't think it would be cruel to shut a dog in a crate overnight with its own mess and no bedding during sub-zero temperatures would be cruel? Wow. I think you're in a very small minority here.

monsteramunch · 16/12/2022 10:10

FrostyFifi · 16/12/2022 10:01

I think some of the responses here accusing the OP of cruelty are a bit OTT if you consider that in some countries dogs spend their whole lives outside with a chain around their necks. Bit of perspective is always a good thing...

Eh? Dogs being neglected in another country doesn't make it any less horrible for an individual dog in any other country to lie in a crate in their own excrement overnight.

That's like saying that verbal abuse of children is excusable because in other homes children are being physically abused.

SnarkyBag · 16/12/2022 10:11

I would suggest getting some vet bed to put down you’d only need one layer on the floor of the crate and it washes and dries super quick.

im sure it’s unpleasant at the minute but that’s dog ownership for you! Mine has an unpredictable tummy but more for sickness. Nothing like getting the vax carpet cleaner out at 3am in the middle of winter to avoid the bright yellow bile stain setting in!

Without getting drawn further in the crate debate OP I hope you do make the decision to provide your dog with bedding it really would be cruel not to.

Dahlia5 · 16/12/2022 10:11

Do you even get up for him at night to let him out regularly? What a poor dog, he's possibly very stressed to not be able to get out to poop outside and has to do in his bed.
This itself sounds is cruel and you want to even take his bedding now 😡

Hadtocomment · 16/12/2022 10:11

One problem with all this crating is the dog can't tell you if he needs to go out. My dog would come and nudge me if he needed out in the night. He doesn't bark or anything. I too think crates are a horrendous idea that have been pushed on dog owners in recent years and tend to be over-used. I do think there are responsible people who can use them ok, or use them for certain occasions and situations. But too many people seem to use them to contain the dog in a general way too much. If the dog is so unsettled at night in general as you say is the reason you need the crate, is it getting enough stimulation and exercise? It's unusual for a dog to be unsettled and not sleep at night if it's had enough activity etc in the day. I'm sure you'll say something sneery OP but I don't really care. Only you can know how long you have your dog locked in a crate. But the idea of taking away bedding on top in the middle of winter doesn't make you come across as though you are thinking first of the dog and less of your own convenience. Like others say, you need to give the poor dog a couple of opportunities to get out in the night. Dogs usually hate soiling their own bed and I think it's awful you are letting it have no choice, actually. You are literally locking a dog in with no alternative but to soil it's space. FFS get up and let it out.

monsteramunch · 16/12/2022 10:11

FrostyFifi · 16/12/2022 10:06

It's not a race to the bottom but nor is anything the OP is describing animal cruelty and it's silly and hysterical to describe it as such. That's what's ridiculous not my comment.

A dog being forced to lie in its own excrement overnight is cruel. It simply is. A vet has confirmed this is a completely inappropriate situation on this page.

Coldhouseflowers · 16/12/2022 10:13

I question whether the OP is a responsible owner if she even has to ask whether leaning a dog caged all night with no bedding is cruel 😡 can’t stand animal neglect

FrostyFifi · 16/12/2022 10:14

You don't think it would be cruel to shut a dog in a crate overnight with its own mess and no bedding during sub-zero temperatures would be cruel?

If she put the dog outside in those temperatures it would certainly be cruel, but he's indoors so it's unlikely to be anything like as cold as that.
She also said that the crate is large so presumably the dog isn't having to lie in it's own excrement.
Look, it's probably not ideal, I'm not saying it's wonderful or anything, I just think saying it's extreme cruelty and she should rehome are a bit OTT.

LolaButt · 16/12/2022 10:15

Get. Up. At. Night. With. The. Dog.

EnyoClytemnestra · 16/12/2022 10:15

Puppy Pants?? I wish I were the enterprising soul realised how gullible pet owners are.

ifonly4 · 16/12/2022 10:16

I look at it from the point of view that if you were having accidents in bed (had gastroenteris here years ago and no amount of protection stopped leaks) or your children were, would you take their mattress or bedding away. I know it's not easy, but he's your much loved pet.

Could be he really feels the need to go and as he can't get out, he has to go somewhere. Is is possible to leave cage open, but contain him in the room itself, perhaps putting down puppy matts everywhere (you used to be able get them cheap in places like Poundland/Wilko)

StopGo · 16/12/2022 10:17

We have a spaniel with a very sensitive tummy so occasional accidents do happen.
We go back to chicken and rice for a few days plus a few doses Pro-Kolin to calm her tummy. Also use an enzymatic spray after clean up, I even put a glug of it in the conditioner drawer.
She is also gets in her crate at bedtime pulling the door closed herself. Mind you she also opens it when she is cold and sneaks under the duvet 😁
@HopingSomeoneIsAwake hope your dog soon feels better.

Thereisnolight · 16/12/2022 10:18

FrostyFifi · 16/12/2022 10:01

I think some of the responses here accusing the OP of cruelty are a bit OTT if you consider that in some countries dogs spend their whole lives outside with a chain around their necks. Bit of perspective is always a good thing...

In some countries children sleep homeless on the streets in huge numbers and never learn how to read. Doesn’t make it ok to treat children slightly less badly in the UK.

EnyoClytemnestra · 16/12/2022 10:20

who realised

Imisscoffee2021 · 16/12/2022 10:21

@HopingSomeoneIsAwake can you keep the door of the crate open at night (if you don't already). My dad's dogs progressed to that so the crate was just their safe space and comfort rather than something to pen them in with. Then he or she could get out to poo, it's unusual for a dog to defecate where they sleep and it can't be comfortable for the dog at all.

Waystation · 16/12/2022 10:22

Just accept you need to get up in the night to let your dog out, I don’t understand why you are not doing this? My doggo has been very sick recently and we had to be up several times a night - it’s part of being a dog owner - if you can’t hear him move him nearer or set a alarm.

Bogofftosomewherehot · 16/12/2022 10:23

So you have a poorly dog who is having no choice but to lay with it's own poo overnight (as you don't appear to be getting up to check on it) and now you want to remove it's bedding (mid winter) to make life easier for yourself?

Why have a dog?