Shopping for A Good Dog Bed
Dog beds come in a variety of shapes and colors to be aesthetically appealing to your pet and serve their needs. When choosing a dog bed, you need to consider the size and personality of your pet. Smaller breeds have different nesting characteristics that larger ones. The shape of the bed can mean the difference between your dog feeling at home or becoming apprehensive about sleeping in it. While it may not seem obvious, there are a variety of features and characteristics of a bed to consider when making a purchase. If you have a young dog, you need to consider their long term changing needs. Dogs tend to sleep longer than their human companions, about 14 hours per day. Such a widely used dog commodity needs to be the best it can be.
Shapes are important when choosing a bed. Many shapes are available, including squares, circles, and ovals. Smaller dogs like to curl up in a circle to sleep. Beds with side walls make the dog feel more closed in and safe. Side walls also help keep in heat better. Dogs like to have a sense of security in their own private space. Consider getting a bed that is completely enclosed with a top such as an “igloo” style one. A large dog might be more suitable with a rectangular bed. Make sure it’s long enough so they can spread out from head to tail. Their body needs to be able to stay on the bed and not touch the cold floor.
Materials like polyester and cotton are great for beds because they are so soft. The filler inside should be soft enough so the dog cannot feel the floor beneath them. This is important for long term joint health to prevent conditions such as arthritis. If you have the budget, consider getting a bed with memory foam inserts or luxury padding such as down feathers. The exterior of the bed should be made with water and stain resistant materials. Every now and then your pet may have an accident which needs to be cleaned up. A removable pad makes this a lot easier because you can just pop it into the washer for cleaning. Even if your pet isn’t prone to accidents, be sure to clean the bed regularly to deter pests like fleas from hiding in the material.
For the ultimate in dog bed comfort, there are dog beds heated with an electric element which can keep your pet warm in the night. This also provides a therapeutic effect which soothes dogs with health problems.
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