Does My Dog Really Need a Bed?

It’s true that dogs can sleep pretty much anywhere! But, when you think about it, so can we – in a tent, on a long train journey, or in front of the TV. However, by choice we would prefer to be tucked up in our own comfortable, warm beds, waking up feeling refreshed and as though we’d had a good rest, rather than grouchy and with a crick in the neck. Dogs are just the same, which is why it’s so important for us to provide our pups with the bed they deserve.

The Importance of a Good Dog Bed

Provides Your Dog with a Better Night’s Sleep

If your dog is comfortable in their own bed at night, this inevitably goes hand in hand with them having a better-quality sleep. Just as it is to me and you, sleep is crucial to our furry friends for a number of reasons. A good night’s sleep helps with your dog’s brain development, immune system, as well as with their mood! Who said that it was just humans that got grumpy after getting out of the wrong side of bed in the morning?!

Security

Dogs are territorial animals, meaning that they like to claim certain places as their own, with the areas they deem the “most special”, i.e. where no one else should go, the most important parts of their territory. For many dogs, this special place is their bed, where they should be able to comfortably lie and relax in peace, without being disturbed by any other members of the family – the ultimate safety zone for your pet.

However, one mistake that some dog owners make is to send a “naughty dog” to their bed as a punishment. Needless to say, this creates a negative association with the bed for the poor dog, which of course will not make them feel as though their bed is somewhere they can feel safe.

Something else to note here is if you have more than one dog in the household. Your dogs will usually insist on having their own, separate sleeping arrangements, so it’s fundamental that one dog’s bed is not treated to the canine equivalent of sofa surfing. A dog that shows interest in another dog’s comfy mattress should be firmly discouraged.

Supports Joints

If you don’t provide an actual dog bed, your furry companion will improvise. A favorite spot on the rug, on the chairs, a comfy corner away from all the noise, or an old towel or blanket. These can all be roped in as beds, and the dog will retire there whenever he needs some downtime. However, the problem with this is that it could actually be having a negative impact on their joints.

As a dog gets older and their joints become stiffer, it will appreciate the comfort of a good dog mattress even more so. Older dogs especially are prone to suffering from joint issues such as arthritis and hip dysplasia, with certain larger breeds such as German Shepherds and Great Danes being more susceptible to these than others. A high quality, memory foam dog bed like the Topology from Omlet will help keep your dog’s joints supported, by minimizing stress and preventing any unnecessary muscle pain. Dog beds can also prevent sores, calluses and bald patches – all things that may affect dogs who sleep on wooden or stone floors, or rough carpets.

Encourages Your Dog to Sleep in Their Own Bed

The spot your dog chooses, given half a chance, may be your own bed. Unless you’re firm with him, he’ll be there to stay! In a previous blog, we discussed whether it was a good idea to let your pet sleep on your bed at night. While it was agreed that there are some benefits of doing so, this may not be the appropriate scenario for everyone. In this case, providing your own dog with a comfortable bed will work out in your favor even more so, encouraging them to sleep there as opposed to in yours! This is yet another reason why buying a comfy dog bed makes sense.

Finding The Ultimate Dog Bed

With the average adult dog sleeping between 13 and 14 hours a day, and puppies and older dogs for even longer, it’s clearly crucial for our pet pooches to have somewhere they can get their precious beauty sleep in.

But when it comes to dog beds, there’s an abundance on the market, so it’s no surprise it can become overwhelming trying to find the right one. So, how exactly can we go about finding the perfect fit for your four-legged friend?

Something to look out for when choosing a suitable dog bed for your pup is a memory foam mattress, which aren’t exclusively for humans! A memory foam mattress will provide your dog with optimum comfort, just as they do for us. Although the priority here is your dog being comfortable, you’ll also want to think about other factors, such as practicality. For example, how easy the bed is to clean. Look out for a bed that is machine washable, or has a machine washable, removable cover, which will help to keep both your furry friend and your home clean, especially if you’ve got a dog who loves to get muddy!

Another great option to consider is a dog sofa bed. A dog sofa bed provides a frame for the mattress to rest on, just like a human bed, and it raises the dog from the ground to minimize draughts, meaning your pup will remain snug. 

Incorporating the bed in a crate makes sense when you’re choosing the right bed for your dog. A dog crate becomes an all-purpose safe place and chill-out zone, which is especially useful for puppies or more anxious dogs. This is the inspiration behind custom-made kits like the Fido Studio dog crate and Fido Nook. When you’re choosing a crate to place your dog’s bed in, just be sure that it has enough space for your dog to comfortably stand up and turn around in it. A crate also provides a frame for the dog mattress, rather than just having it free-standing on the floor. Again, a sense of security is crucial for a dozing dog. A bed in a crate should not become a lock-up, either. A dog who spends all day in the crate will come to view it as a prison cell – and the same goes for the bed, too.

A comfy bed isn’t much to ask. It provides warmth, security, and the ultimate in doggie comfort. We definitely draw the line at doggie pajamas, though…

This entry was posted in Dogs