While many of us love snuggling with our dogs in our own beds, sleeping with your dog can lead to a poor night’s rest for you. A disruptive night can affect your mood and cause you to be less productive the following day. When choosing a dog bed, there are some important considerations you should keep in mind.
What Makes the Perfect Pet Bed?
1 Size Matters. If you watch your dog sleep, you'll see they sleep in different positions - stretched out, curled up, on their back or like Superman! It's important that your choice of bed allows your dog to sleep comfortably in all these positions.
2 Season. Traditionally beds have been used to keep dogs off the cold ground. Generally, the more padding a bed, the warmer your dog will be. Box beds and added blankets may make it easier for your dog to cosy down in the winter while a flat bed may help them stay cooler in the summer months.
3 Lifestyle. A large sturdy bed may be best for the home, however if you're going camping, a lighter weight, waterproof and easily washable bed would help both you and your pet.
4 Dogs Age. Older dogs may require a bed that's easily accessible. They may also benefit from an orthopedic or memory foam bed to help with any aches and pains in their joints.
5 Dogs Behavior. Shy or nervous dogs may benefit from an "igloo" style bed that allows them to snuggle down and hide away whenever things get too much for them.
6 Multiple Dogs in the House? Your pets may be happy to cosy up together. This situation will need a large bed to give maximum comfort. It may be wise however to avoid any competition between the dogs and have one bed per dog in the family.
7 Where to Place the Bed. It's important the bed can fit in a space that's warm and draught-free. It might also be good for your dog to have multiple options, for example one bed that's out of the way as a safe space, and the other in a family room so they can be in your company while snoozing.
8 Let Sleeping Dogs Lie. Allow your dog's bed to be a safe space. Nobody likes to be disturbed when catching forty winks, and your dog is no different! Make sure everyone in the family, especially children, know to leave your dog in peace when on their bed for everyone's safety and happiness.
All of our Just for Pets stores stock a wide range of dog beds, including Scruffs, Trixie and Talltails, and our instore teams are always on hand to offer advice in choosing the right bed for your loved one.