When it comes to choosing a new dog bed, most of us are swayed by the one that best fits in with the colour scheme of our home! A good dog bed is important to aid your dog’s overall wellbeing, but what factors do you need to consider? Do you opt for a round bed, a square bed, a soft bed or a hard bed? Let’s take a look at the key things to be mindful of when choosing the perfect bed for your pooch.
Comfort is Key
You can choose the prettiest dog bed in the world, but if your dog isn’t comfortable in it, then what’s the point! Dogs sleep between 12-18 hours a day, so good comfort and support are incredibly important. A comfy dog bed will not only give your dog the warmth they need, aiding quality sleep, but can also alleviate aching joints and other health conditions such as hip dysplasia. It is also worth looking for a dog bed that has a removable cover that you can wash regularly.
Consider The Size of Your Dog
This goes without saying, but remember that a German Shepherd will have different requirements to a Border Terrier! As big dogs weigh more, not only will they need more room to curl up in their bed, but they will need something quite firm to help support their joints. Smaller dogs tend to prefer beds where they can nest comfortably and snuggle up in.
The age of your dog is also something to factor in when choosing a dog bed. A puppy, for example, will need a bed that is quite hard to destroy, whereas a senior dog may prefer something a bit softer like a sheepskin-lined dog bed. An aging dog may be better suited to a memory foam mattress too, as this will provide additional support for arthritic joints.
Luxury Dog Beds
If your dog is a pampered pooch like many, you’ll probably know that they appreciate luxury and comfort just as much as their owner! You don’t necessarily need to break the bank when it comes to choosing the best bed for your dog though. Take time to understand your dog’s specific needs, before diving straight into the ‘designer dog beds’ category.
A new dog bed needs to provide comfort, as well as being durable (otherwise you will be repeat purchasing far too regularly!).
A Comfortable Sleeping Environment
As well as choosing the right bed for your dog, there are several other things you can change in order to give your pooch the best night’s sleep:
1. Regular exercise
You know yourself how much more tired you feel after a brisk walk in the outdoors. Your dog is exactly the same! The more exercise your dog gets, the more energy they will get rid of, so hopefully they will have a nice peaceful night’s sleep.
2. Consider nutrition
Good food is essential for a good night’s sleep, there is nothing worse than going to bed hungry and then tossing & turning all night long. Giving your dog the correct nutrition will help keep them happy, and ready for a good snooze.
3. Create a safe environment
Remember when your dog was a puppy and it slept in a crate during the night? This was to help implement boundaries and teach your puppy that the crate was where it went to sleep. While there is nothing wrong with having several dog beds scattered around your house, try avoiding placing beds in open spaces. Dogs tend to like sleeping in quiet spots where they have a couple of walls surrounding them.
Here at Wormers-Direct, we have a variety of dog beds for you to choose from, including travel beds, elevated beds (ideal for dogs with back problems), and even thermal dog beds too. Shop online today, express delivery is available.