How to choose a dog bed?
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It is estimated that dogs sleep an average of half a day, and some even more. Therefore, it is important that their sleeping place is as suitable as possible for them. It is worth remembering that the den is also used for lounging, resting and relaxing. It may just be a dog's sanctuary where we don't have to disturb him.
It is said that at least half of dog owners allow their pets to sleep in their bed, and the other half do not. Even if we decide to sleep with the dog, it would still be nice if she had her own bed. Why?
First, the dog must have a choice. Just because he usually sleeps with us doesn't mean he won't want to sleep somewhere else from time to time (for example, on hot summer nights he might be too hot with us). Secondly, the lair can also act as a daytime sofa, where he will take a nap and relax during the day. Thirdly, the dog bed can also be used in situations where we want to send the dog to its place, for example, when washing the floor.
The dog chooses a litter
When choosing a bed for a dog, it is worth considering what kind of bedding our dog will choose. If we don't already know his preferences, we'll be picking a bit blindly, but there are a few features of a good bed:
Right size. How to choose the size of a dog bed? Measure the animal from the mouth to the base of the tail and add about 20-30 cm more. You can also measure the animal upwards, i.e. from head to toe. Such measurements will allow you to choose the size so that the dog can stretch freely on the couch, which is important for many of them.
Nice stuff. Why do dogs love our beds so much? Because they are usually soft and pleasant. The dog bed should also be comfortable so that the dog likes to lie on it.
Den shape. On the market, you will find pillow/mattress style bedding with no edges that allow you to stretch your body more freely, bedding with higher edges that allow your head to rest, and cabins or cubicles that can work in a cover. a frightened dog that needs to hide from the world. Here, too, it all depends on the dog, but you can intuitively choose what your pet finds comfortable and cozy.
Guardian buys a bed
It is worth paying attention to the cover and filling the bed. What material to choose a bed for a dog? It would be nice if it was not only pleasant, but also durable and easy to clean. Cordura, for example, works well as a dog den cover. It is an upholstery material that is quite easy to care for and very durable, which is important in the case of dog claws.
The filling of dog beds is most often silicone balls or silicone fiber, which has many advantages - it does not cause allergies, it is machine washable, it is elastic and does not deform during use. Foam rubber is also a good filler, especially the “memory foam” type that is used in orthopedic mattresses. We may consider such bedding when our dog is older and has joint problems.
Think about the issue of washing bed linen, which should be washed or properly cleaned about once a month. Before buying, make sure that the bed linen can be washed in its entirety (including the filler). If not, it might be better to opt for an easy-to-remove top cover so you can easily wash it in the washing machine. Let's follow the manufacturer's recommendations for machine washing to avoid warping bedding. Keep in mind that dog bedding will get a lot of use and dirt, so let's think about how to make cleaning easier.
Probably, many will pay attention to the appearance of bed linen. There is a wide variety of colors, patterns and shapes of bedding available on the market, from the simplest pillows to quirky doggy sofas. In this regard, the choice is ours and the appearance will certainly be tempting, but remember that the litter should be good for the dog in the first place. A cute platform dog bed may be suitable for a young, agile dog who will have no problem jumping on it, but not necessarily for an older or short-legged dog who may be discouraged by it.
As for the price, this is clearly a very important criterion (for a guardian). The range of prices for instant messengers is wide, from several tens to several hundred zlotys. The larger the beds, made from better materials, the more you will have to pay for them. Specialized (orthopedic) bedding is also more expensive. However, it is worth investing in comfortable and practical bedding and enjoying it for years to come. Buying a puppy bed can be an exceptional situation. Buying a bed that is too big for the dog to grow to is rather impractical due to the risk that a small puppy may not feel good and comfortable in a too large den and may not want to use it (and therefore insist on bringing him to our bed). It seems to be better to buy a small or medium bed and then replace it with a larger bed when your pet grows up.
The dogs are sleeping and the apartment
A few words about where to install a dog bed. Once we've chosen a dog bed, it's time to decide where to put it. Of course, you need to consider the size or layout of the apartment, but it is very important that the place for the dog bed is relatively quiet and as less visited by the household as possible. This should be our starting point if we want the dog to like his place and feel safe in it. A hallway, a children's room, or speakers in the living room are not the best ideas. Of course, there are dogs who are not bothered by anyone or anything in their sleep, but many of them can have a problem with resting when someone constantly hangs around them, where it is noisy or this is the place where you usually put objects, such as bags, backpacks, shoes. The dog may have difficulty falling asleep in such a location or may be at risk of waking up suddenly from sleep, which is not conducive to recovery and may lead to undue stress and frustration due to the inability to rest.
You should also avoid places subject to drafts, near radiators or air conditioners, due to the possibility of overheating or cooling the dog.
When choosing a place for a dog bed, we can choose the dog itself - if we notice that she especially likes a place to sleep, try to arrange his den there. This increases the chances that he will want to use it.
Dog bed not only at home
If you are taking your dog on nature trips, you should consider sending him for such occasions. Also, if we have a garden and the dog likes to laze around in it, this random bedding might be a good idea. It will be quite mobile, so a soft rug covered with waterproof material or a dry bed can be a good solution. Their advantage is the possibility of folding or unfolding, which will facilitate transportation in case of a trip or a quick transfer to another place (sun/shade). The waterproof mat can be easily and quickly wiped wet. A dry bed, in turn, looks like a denser blanket with a rubber base. The top layer allows moisture to pass through (but thanks to the rubber underneath it does not seep), so there is no feeling of lying on a wet bed.
These bed sheets are easy to keep clean or machine wash, dry quickly, are lightweight and have a beautiful pattern. They can also be used as a car mat if we return from a walk where the dog bathed.
