Although most dogs like to lie down and settle around the house, they must have their bed to sleep and rest in, in a corner where they feel happy and in privacy.
Nowadays, there are many bed models on the market of all shapes and styles, which can cause some confusion for owners when they want to buy one.
In this article, we will help you to select the best choice for you and your dog.
The first step in making the right choice is to identify your dog’s characteristics and needs.
When choosing the size, note how your dog prefers to lie down. That way you’ll know what the best bed format will be. But if your dog prefers to sleep curled up, he’ll be more comfortable in a round or square bed.
First of all, think about your pet’s needs. Consider your age, health, and personality. Then, try to understand how it could give you maximum comfort.
In addition, you will also like to buy something that will be in harmony with that corner of your home.
1. Meet Your Pet’s Needs
Dog Breed
The first step in making the right choice is to identify your dog’s characteristics and needs. Of course, an essential factor is a kind of animal.
It determines the amount of hair and, therefore, whether the dog is more or less subject to feeling cold.
The breed also determines the number of other factors, such as weight, habits, and growth.
All of these aspects are important when choosing a good bed.
If your dog feels very cold, the best is to invest in a wooden house or igloo bed.
For dogs that suffer from heat, lightweight fabrics beds will be excellent.
Choosing the ideal bed is an important issue that will or will not benefit your pet’s health.
It is crucial that the animal likes and is attracted to it and uses it when it needs it, which helps improve its behavior and health.
Having a good sleep is a physiological need for dogs.
If they don’t have what they need, they can change their behavior, making them more irritable, listless, and aggressive.
How He Sleeps
Thinking about your dog’s sleeping style is an essential part of choosing the right bed.
Dogs that sleep fully stretched need a large bed. On the other hand, if your dog likes to sleep curled up, it will require a smaller bed with backs to support himself.
Likewise, watch your puppy and see if it feels cold or hot while sleeping.
Different shapes and styles of beds can help regulate body temperature.
Some models even come equipped with devices that can heat or cool the bed, such as refrigerated pillows.
Assess whether your dog likes to destroy things. If you know that your dog is one of those who want to chew and swallow everything, consider a more straightforward and cheaper bed.
So it won’t cost you much if you have to replace it. However, if you think it will not destroy the bed, it may be worth considering more modern, comfortable, and even more expensive options.
Format Also Counts
When choosing the size, it is essential to see if he prefers to rest stretched. In this case, the ideal bed will be rectangular.
But if your dog prefers to sleep curled up, he will be more comfortable in a round or square bed.
In all cases, the bed should be padded and as comfortable as possible. Adapting well to the bed is essential. So, this will prevent the dog from choosing the owner’s sofa or bed.
It’s also good that the bed is collapsible to facilitate hygiene and always be clean.
Finally, do not place the bed in busy places where people pass. His rest can disturb. Like us humans, dogs also like to rest in quiet places. That is why the choice of location is as important as the choice of bed. This location will be its best corner of the house.
Set The Right Size
To ensure comfort and peaceful sleep, the bed must have dimensions appropriate to the size of your dog.
So, before making a choice, it’s necessary to measure it.
Dogs that grow up a lot will need to change their bed frequently. However, if your pet has reached its maximum size or will not grow much more, the choice becomes more accessible.
Always opt for models that have a few centimeters more than your little friend.
To find out how long your dog is, measure it when you are sleeping, from the tip of the snout to the tail, and add another 15 to 30 centimeters to the bed you will buy.
Additional centimeters are essential, especially if the bed has backrests.
You will need to know if your puppy is fully grown at this point.
You can also choose to get a larger bed than necessary, so you won’t need to replace it later.
If your dog is still a puppy and you choose to buy a bigger bed now, you can add blankets or pillows, which will help y, which are secure.
Some models already come with cushions included, so you won’t have to spend more money.
Special Needs
Pay attention to your dog’s age or health problems before buying a bed.
Orthopedic beds are best suited for dogs with joint pain or arthritis.
If your pet is a long-haired animal, choosing a bed with a greater possibility of ventilation is preferable. Some special cases:
- Orthopedic mattresses made of high density viscoelastic foam take the shape of your puppy and offer comfort and support to relieve your dog’s pain and discomfort.
- For dogs that live in warmer places or with thick, long fur, the coolest beds are the best, as they are more often warm when they sleep.
They do best with borderless beds, such as pillows and hammocks, helping air to flow under the dog while he sleeps.
- For cold climates, beds with borders on the sides, burrows or huts, in addition to providing more coziness, also offer greater thermal insulation.
Evaluate The Material
Always opt for the best so that your pet has the most comfort possible. Your dog will thank you.
A bed, tent, puff, or playpen for the dog is a lasting investment that should stay in your home for a long time.
Products made with antiallergic silicone fiber are a great example that guarantees more excellent durability and simultaneously health care for your pet.
As for the lining, choose beds made from 100% cotton, which are softer and guarantee better comfort.
Another option to consider is polyester fabric, a material with excellent durability and easy cleaning.
Pay attention to other characteristics of the product you are planning to buy, which can add even more value and usefulness, such as waterproofing or sanitization.
It is also important to remember that dogs spend more than 50% of their lives sleeping.
Much of the time they are awake, they are lying down.
So the quality of sleep for them is even more critical than it is for us humans.
Puppies can get to sleep 20 hours a day. This vital fact will further reinforce the need for comfort for them.
2. Dog Bed Styles
Now that you are better informed about dog beds, you will choose the most suitable one for your pet.
There are many different types and shapes, but in general, these are the most popular:
Orthopedic Dog Beds
Thermal fabric bed specially designed to rest elderly dogs or those with osteoarthritis. The fabric of the thermal mattress increases blood circulation, optimizes rest and joint performance.
This orthopedic bed minimizes the difficulty and pain of the dog when getting up since it acts to protect and maintain the temperature of the joints during rest.
The fusion of polyester/polypropylene and particles of molten ceramic makes itexcellent for your dog.
These particles reflect body heat, returning it in the form of infrared radiation, increasing the temperature, and favors circulation simultaneously, producing a tranquilizing, anti-inflammatory, and regenerating effect.
Donut And Bolster Dog Beds
With a round design and made of very soft materials, it is suitable for small dogs.
It has the particularity of being able to involve the pet, which will make it feel cozier.
It can be an excellent alternative to small dogs like Chihuahua, Yorkshire, Poodle Mini, Schnauzer Mini, Pomeranian Lulu, and others up to 7 kg or puppies that like to sleep curled up.
Heated Dog Beds
If you want your pet to rest and sleep comfortably and warm, this is the bed you need.
Our animals do not have the same facility to cover themselves with a blanket or close the window when they feel cold.
This type of bed offers a heating system that you can use on cold days or nights, or not when the temperature is suitable.
Companies design them to give a great sense of security, protection, and tranquillity.
It’s not ideal for dogs that tend to chew objects, toys, etc.
When children are around, we should have to pay attention. In addition, it’s beneficial for small animals that need constant heat, such as newborn dogs, the elderly, convalescent, or in pain animals.
Outdoor Cots And Beds
These beds are ideal for dogs that like to spend more time outside the home.
They are higher to keep the animal cooler during the summer and more comfortable during the winter.
Protects bones and joints, prevents mycoses, dermatitis and prevents the proliferation of fleas.
It is waterproof and ventilated, which will allow air circulation, ensuring the reduction of heat.
They are demountable, made with durable materials, and easy to clean.
If this is the bed that your dog needs, measure it before you buy it to know which model is better for him.
Pillow Or Cushion Dog Beds
These pillows or mattresses can be used as a bed by themselves.
They are made with soft fabrics and padded with elegant upholstery.
One of its significant advantages is that it is easy to machine wash.
They come in all sizes, small and large and in various shapes, rectangular or round, and are ideal for all breeds of dogs.
The bottom of the cushion, the part that is in contact with the floor, is waterproof and made of resistant and non-slip material.
3. Consider Your Own Needs
Choose an easy-to-maintain bed that doesn’t have to be too hard to clean. Determine your budget before you buy it and get one that suits your home.
And of course, your best friend’s bed should be excellent! Some good tips on choosing the best look for your dog’s bed are:
- Combine the pattern and colors of the bed with the decor of your home environment where the product will spend most of the time;
- If your dog’s favorite environment is the living room, then this will probably be the ideal place for the bed to stay most of the time;
- Contrast the prints of the bed with your dog’s fur to highlight both and, of course, choose colors that suit both you and your pet.
- Some models have styles that can match the gender, male or female, giving even more charm and style to the bed.
So, regardless of the type of dog you have, you should be concerned about choosing a bed that will give it as much comfort as possible and a good rest at nap time.
Also, make sure the bed is always in the best condition and lasts as long as possible. You should be following some rules to ensure good hygiene, not only in the bed but in the space where you will put your friend in.
This way, you can be positive that you provide the best environment for your pet and feel genuinely at home.