Find here about various types of dog beds and how to buy a bed for your dog.
Types of Dog Bed
Even for animals, comfort is of prime importance. It is very necessary that you provide your pet with a soft bed, so as to ensure that it has a peaceful and soothing sleep. In case you were not aware of, dog beds can be as customized as your own bed and bedding. They can be chosen according to the size of your dog, the style and color of the home interiors of the owner and that can provide maximum comfort. With an assortment of choices available today, you need to keep a lot of things in mind, while choosing a dog bed. To know about the various types of dog bed and to get some tips on how to buy a dog bed, read through the following lines.
Types Of Dog Bed
Pillow Bed
One of the classic styles is the pillow bed, which is meant primarily for indoor purpose. Stuffed with white cotton stuffing or even beans or pine chips, these are available in all sizes - round, oval, square, and so on. You can even get decorative covers for the bed.
Nest Style Bed
Such a dog bed is generally available woven in natural fibers with a pad or a foam or pillow on the bottom. Dogs generally love the bed, as it offers them not only comfort, but even safety from all the sides surround.
Unconventional Style
Raised like a hammock, these beds are usually free standing platforms mostly available in a square shape. It is generally made from durable canvas material and is raised anywhere from 4 to 6 inches from the ground. The best characteristics of the beds are that it is indestructible, allows your canine to stay cool and can be used as a training device.
Dog Crate
Generally made from metal or plastic, a dog crate is similar to a dog kennel. Extremely useful when it comes to training programs, many a time's crates have been proved to be useful as a dog bed as well.
Couches
For people who love the sophisticated sense of style, couches look extremely exquisite and add to the overall décor of the room. Made out of foam, these are extremely affordable and are quite similar to the nest beds in terms of comfort
How To Buy A Dog Bed
- The size, health and needs of the dog are a few of the prime aspects to consider before buying the bed. Talking about size, the bed should be big enough to let the dog lie flat on his side on the bed.
- Old dogs or dogs that are ill or have arthritis would need special orthopedic beds.
- Next consideration you need to look for is the comfort level and style of the dog bed.
- Big cushions can serve as pillows, while dog mats are thinner than pillows. Rugs and cuddlers would definitely keep your dog comfortable and support a curling dog on all three sides.
- The filling of the dog bed must be one that provides utmost comfort to the canine. Foam is most preferred choice, but cedar fill are soon replacing them as they also repel fleas. The best aspect about cedar is that it can be refilled as well.
- Make sure you get removable and washable bed covers, because dogs are bound to make them dirty. Extra bed covers will prove to be a great help, especially with dogs that are not yet trained properly.
- Match the dog bed to the hues of the home. However, if the dog has a separate doghouse or uses crate as a bed, colors may not be so important.
- Heated beds are preferable for older or arthritic dogs and some of them offer the feature of being able to be cooler in hot weather.
- Fluffy beds and pillows keep the dogs happy.
- You can also go for thermo beds. These not only look stylish, but have poly fiber filling, that make them easy to wash. They maintain the warmth that matches the body temperature and can be used all the year round.
- If you don't have a heated dog bed, you may consider using an igloo-shaped heated pad, as an add-on. Apart from being easy to clean, these are waterproof and can be easily installed any of the pet bed.
