Choosing a dog bed from a zillion choices available can be overwhelming sometimes. Many pet parents just aren’t sure what they need and make worse decisions on choosing their dog’s bed. This may cause discomfort and health issues in dogs. Also, medical bills to treat health issues caused by a poor choice of bed can also burn a hole in your pocket if it’s too expensive and you don’t have pet insurance.
In addition to that, you will have to get a new bed anyways and that will add to the expenditure. Well, there are a few things you need to keep in mind and you will be fine. We will see in this article what mistakes you can avoid when choosing a bed for your canine buddy.
You Don’t Measure Your Dog’s Size
A dog spends 12-14 hours a day sleeping and having said that, your buddy’s bed is quite crucial for his health and well-being. A dog bed, of course, adds to the aesthetics of your home but the primary thing to keep in mind is that the bed should be comfortable and of the right size. You may have dedicated a particular spot for your dog’s bed but if there’s too small space, your dog won’t be able to rest properly and feel uncomfortable.
Imagine if you have to sleep on a bed with your legs partially hanging out of the bed. Sounds quite discomforting, right? To ensure that you don’t end up buying a too small bed you need to measure the size of your dog. Keep a maximum of 10 inches of additional length on each side for safety.
Another size factor you need to consider is the breed of your dog. For example, a bed for great dane may not work for a chihuahua. The raised surface of that bed can be too high for a chihuahua and the bed will be unnecessarily large for him. Choose beds made specially for large dogs for big dogs and small for smaller ones.
Also, if you’re planning to get a durable bed, you have to consider your pup’s full size and should choose the bed size accordingly. The full-grown length of your dog depends on his breed. You can take your vet’s help with this.
You Don’t Choose the Appropriate Shape of The Bed
Some dogs love to curl like a fluff ball and sleep, whereas some sleep with all four legs stretched and lie on their side. If your dog loves to curl up, a round bed will look good and will be quite comfortable. However, your dog will be sleeping in other positions as well and for that, you have to make sure it’s large enough.
Your dog will be the longest when he sleeps on his belly and legs out, like a superman. In a nutshell, the shape of the bed should not be a restriction to your dog’s sleeping position.
If your pooch likes to rest his head on the edge of the bed and doze off, you can choose the one which has a pillow on the circumference of the bed, they are known as bolster beds. But if that’s not the case, you can go with pillow beds.
Some dogs also like to burrow their place and sleep, if your pooch does that, you may want to get a hooded bed or a crate pad.
You Don’t Buy A Bed Considering Your Dog’s Health Condition and Chewing Habit
Each dog is different, even if they’re of the same breed or are siblings. If the dog is dealing with any injuries, your vet will be able to tell you what type of bed you should choose for the utmost comfort and healing. For example, if your dog has a bone injury, too soft bed can cause more harm than comforting. You can understand it by imagining the pressure they have to put on their joints to get out of bed.
The same goes for senior dogs. An orthopedic dog bed is better than normal comfortable beds. Some are tough chewers and destroy any beds in no time. For them, elevated chew proof beds are a good choice. Those beds are easy to clean and can be used outdoors as well due to its high-quality material.
You Don’t Consider Washability of The Bed
Let’s face it: dog beds are going to get dirty and stink, and you need to wash them regularly to keep it hygienic for your dog. Some cheap dog beds are not washing-friendly and don’t last long if you wash multiple times. Choose one that comes with a removable cover that can also withstand high temperature so that you can wash it in hot water to kill germs, parasites, larvae, etc.
The Endnote
A little bit closer attention to the factors to consider while choosing your dog’s bed will go a long way. It will give your dog the absolute best life your dog deserves and make things easier for you as well. If you have any questions or want to share your experience with us, please let us know about it in the comment section below.
Categories: Tips And Advice Stuff
