Every dog should have their own dog bed. The varieties of dog beds available are as varied as the number of breeds of dogs. Across the various types of dog beds there are some common factors to consider.
1. Where will you place your bed: Pay attention to your dog's favorite sleeping areas. Buy a dog bed that compliments those places. If your dog sleeps equally in various places you may want a bed that can be easily moved and matches the decor of several rooms. In the alternative you might need more than one bed.
2. What materials is the dog bed cover? The three prime considerations are washable, removable and durable. If possible try to get a bed with a cover that meets all of these criteria. Sometimes fainting couch dog beds and other human like dog beds might not be removable. These types of dog beds will require annual steam cleaning. Dogs naturally paw and scratch at the ground and this will cause some wear and tear on the cover. Make sure the cover is durable.
3. What shape will the dog bed be? Is your dog a stretcher or a curler? If your dog curls up when sleeping, then a nest shaped bed is the right choice. These types of beds are also good for colder climates since your dog can snuggle down inside the bed. If your dog stretches out when sleeping, then a more conventional and longer dog mattress might be the right choice. Mattress beds allow your dog to stretch out and turn over to find whatever position suits her best. These beds are larger than nest beds. Dogs that sleep both ways might do best with a human-type furniture dog beds like a fainting couch. The long length allows your dog to stretch out while the backs and sides allow for snuggling. These types of beds are elevated and allow for air circulation. Be mindful of the the height of the beds. Older dogs with older hips may have difficulty climbing up onto a platform or furniture type beds.
4. You should enquire about what material is used to fill the bed. The price of the dog bed will be directly related to the quality of foam used to stuff the bed. If you don't mind replacing the bed every year than a cheap dog bed will be ok. If you want the dog bed to last 4 or 5 years then you must pay a little more. If your dog is older or is arthritic, you may want to speak to your vet about the possibility of an orthopedic foam dog bed. Orthopedic dog beds provide a lot of comfort to aging dogs.
5. It is very important to buy the right sized dog bed. If the bed is too small then your dog will not be inclined to use it and you will have wasted your money. Measure you dog in a number of different sleeping positions. Get a dog bed that is slightly larger than the various measurements and you should be ok.
Armed with the above information you are now ready to buy a new bed for your dog. If chosen wisely you dog will love his new dog bed for years to come.
Posted under Dogs
This post was written by Jane A Moore on June 16, 2009
