Updated June 2026 — Written by the team at Double Tree Forest Products, who harvest and mill incense cedar in the mountains of the western USA.
If you're a pet owner looking for natural ways to repel fleas and ticks, freshen up kennels and bedding areas, or mulch your yard, you've probably hit the big question: are cedar chips actually safe for my cats and dogs?
The short answer: yes — natural incense cedar chips and shavings are safe for both cats and dogs when used as directed. But there's one detail that almost every article online gets wrong, and it's the difference between a cedar that's genuinely gentle around your animals and one you should keep away from them. So let's do this right.
First, the part nobody tells you: not all "cedar" is the same tree
This is the single most important thing on this page. When people say "cedar," they're usually talking about one of two completely different woods with completely different chemistry:
- Eastern Red Cedar (which is actually a juniper) and Western Red Cedar — these are the woods behind almost every "cedar is bad for pets" warning. They carry two harsh compounds: thujone (a neurotoxin — it's also what gives red cedar that sharp, stinging "hamster cage" smell) and plicatic acid (a known respiratory irritant). Those are the compounds the old safety studies were actually testing.
- Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) — this is what we make our chips and granules from. It has a completely different chemical makeup. It carries no thujone and no plicatic acid. Its aromatic oils are carvacrol and thymoquinone instead — the same family of natural compounds found in herbs like oregano and thyme. That's why incense cedar smells lighter and cleaner, and why it's gentler around animals.
So when you read "cedar isn't safe for pets," what's almost always true is: red cedar shavings, used as bedding, in a small sealed cage. That's a real concern — but it's a different wood and a different situation than spreading incense cedar chips in a dog run or yard. Incense cedar is even what wooden pencils are traditionally made from — that's the clean, light scent you're smelling.
Why the scary headlines exist (and why they don't apply here)
Most cedar-and-pets warnings trace back to two sources:
- Confusion with treated lumber. Pressure-treated or chemically stained cedar is absolutely not safe for pets. We're talking about the opposite of that — natural, untreated wood straight from the tree, nothing added.
- Decades-old studies on red cedar shavings in sealed rodent cages. Those studies put tiny animals in airtight boxes breathing concentrated red-cedar fumes (the thujone and plicatic acid mentioned above) around the clock. That's not how anyone uses cedar chips in a yard or a dog run — and it's not the cedar species we use.
For cats and dogs in normal household or outdoor use, natural incense cedar chips aren't just safe — they're genuinely useful.
How incense cedar chips actually help your pets
Natural flea and tick defense
Incense cedar's aromatic oils — carvacrol and thymoquinone — are the compounds studied for repelling fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. (In published research, cedarwood oil has shown strong repellent activity against blacklegged ticks — comparable to some conventional repellents.) Spreading incense cedar chips or granules around your yard and pet areas builds a natural barrier that repels fleas and ticks without any sprays or pesticides touching your pets. Just wood the bugs can't stand.
Odor control
Cedar naturally absorbs and neutralizes odors. Chips in dog runs, kennels, or outdoor pet areas keep things smelling fresh between cleanings — that clean cedar-closet scent, working for you.
Moisture absorption
Cedar chips pull moisture from the ground, keeping pet areas drier and cutting down the damp conditions where bacteria, parasites, and fleas thrive. A drier yard means fewer pests, less mud, and a cleaner pet.
Cedar chips in dog runs and kennels
This is the most popular use for pet owners. A 2–3 inch layer of incense cedar chips in a run or outdoor kennel gives you:
- Natural flea and tick defense
- Excellent drainage — no muddy paws
- Odor control between cleanings
- A soft, comfortable surface to rest on
- A fresh cedar aroma that's pleasant for people too
Refresh the chips every 3–6 months depending on use. When the cedar scent fades, that's your signal the oils have dissipated and it's time to top it off.
Cedar granules for whole-yard flea & tick defense
If your main concern is covering the whole yard, incense cedar granules are the move. They're smaller than chips, spread evenly, and release cedar oils into the soil as they break down. Sprinkle them around your yard perimeter, fence lines, under decks, around dog houses, and in shaded areas where fleas and ticks like to gather. One application lasts 4–6 weeks; a light watering reactivates the oils.
Best part: kids and pets can walk on treated areas right away. No wait time, no harsh chemicals, no warning labels. It's just cedar.
What about backyard chickens?
Here's a common myth worth clearing up, because it's the same species story. Keepers are often warned "never use cedar near chickens" — and for red cedar, that caution makes sense, because of the thujone and plicatic acid. Incense cedar is a different wood without those compounds. Used outdoors — around the coop and run, along perimeters and high-traffic edges — it's a natural way to help keep pests down. (As with any wood product, keep fine dust out of small enclosed spaces and skip it as in-coop bedding; granules outdoors aren't the same as fine shavings sealed inside.)
Cedar chips as a natural cat litter?
Some cat owners use fine incense cedar shavings as a natural litter alternative:
- Pros: natural odor control, biodegradable, no clay dust, pleasant scent
- Cons: doesn't clump like clay, needs more frequent changing, some cats need time to adjust to the texture
Use fine chips or shavings — not large bark pieces. Ours are milled and sifted to a fine, consistent size. Tip: mix 50/50 with your current litter for a week so your cat can adjust.
Which pets should still avoid cedar?
Even with incense cedar's gentler profile, a few exceptions apply:
- Small rodents in enclosed cages (hamsters, guinea pigs, indoor rabbits) — use paper or aspen bedding. Any aromatic wood dust concentrates in a small sealed space, regardless of species.
- Pets with a known cedar sensitivity — rare, but possible. If your pet sneezes excessively or develops skin irritation after exposure, discontinue use.
- Very young puppies or kittens — their respiratory systems are still developing. Wait until they're at least 8–12 weeks old before introducing cedar bedding.
Why Double Tree incense cedar is different
There's a real gap between the cedar mulch at a big-box store and what we make. Most commercial "cedar" mulch is eastern red cedar or juniper — the very woods behind the pet warnings. Ours is genuine incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), milled from dead and downed trees in the western mountains. It has a cleaner, richer aroma, none of the harsh thujone or plicatic acid, and the natural oils (carvacrol and thymoquinone) that repel insects. No dyes, no chemicals, no fillers — just pure cedar, forest to door.
The bottom line
Natural incense cedar chips and shavings are safe for cats and dogs. They repel fleas and ticks naturally, control odors, absorb moisture, and make your yard smell incredible. Use them in dog runs, garden beds, yard perimeters, around coops, and even as a fine cat-litter alternative. The cedar to be cautious with is red cedar as bedding in small enclosed cages — a different wood, a different situation. For everyone else: spread it, enjoy it, and let nature handle the pests.
Ready to try cedar for your pets?
- Incense Cedar Chips — perfect for dog runs, kennels, and garden beds
- Incense Cedar Granules — spread across your yard for natural flea and tick defense
🚚 Free shipping on every order. 🌲 Sustainably milled in the USA.