Does Your Dog Really Need a Dog Bed?

By observing your pet, you will have a better idea of what product to look for as his daily comfortable resting place. If you adopted a dog from the pound he may actually prefer his own place. So a dog bed is really necessary, but what type do you get and what should you look for?

What to Consider in a Dog Bed

First off you need to observe your dogs behavior. Does he like to stay warm under the blankets? Does he like to be able to rest his head with a view of the entire room? Does he avoid the bed because he needs to cool off? These behaviors will help you narrow down your search for the ideal dog bed.

Some Of The Benefits of a High Quality Dog Bed

The type of dog bed you choose depends on your canine and its preferences. Picking the right dog bed can be a big help with allergy relief and clean up. It can give you a main area where the majority of the shedding and/or dander is contained.

For older dogs, or dogs with problems, thick orthopedic mattresses filled with medical-grade foam or even a boxspring are ideal. Some even come heated but if not you can buy a heating pad. Some pads are warmed in the microwave and some plug in. The type you choose will depend on where the bed will go and how long the pad needs to stay heated. Older dogs enjoy sleeping more and playing less.

A dog bed allows your pet to have his own space, a place where he can curl up, relax and sleep. A hound that sleeps in a tight curled up position might prefer a round bed with sides. Dogs don’t like to feel exposed especially when they're trying to sleep. In this case you might look at a bolster bed with a high back. This gives your dog a safe, cozy haven as well as being ideal for a nice pillow to rest his head. It can also prevent drafts and can protect your walls from damage while your dog sleeps.

If you cannot measure your dog when he is laying down, you can also measure from the base of the neck to the base of the tail and then add 5 inches.

More traditional-style cushioned outdoor beds are made of tough polyester and resist mildew and fungus. However if your dog is extremely sensitive to cold or suffering from arthritis, a heated dog bed might provide the extra comfort he needs. Similar to humans, dogs also experience changes as they age. Their joints can stiffen, or their bones become thinner.

A strenuous day can mean an evening of discomfort with a pulled muscle or painful joints. A good night's sleep in a quality dog bed will help your pet recover. When a dog owner thinks about what products will be needed for their new pet, a high quality dog bed should be well up on the list.

Steve Dolan is a dog lover and long time dog owner. For more information about dog beds click Dog Beds and Puppy Beds, and for more about dog health and keeping your dog happy click Dogs and Puppies Online.