A place of their own: What to look for in dog beds

Video: decorating: how to make a dog bed
Video: dog’s reactions to cats stealing their beds
Video: rosie's bedroom tour
Video: how to make an elevated dog bed

By Josh Weiss-Roessler

Sprawled out on the kitchen floor. Curled up in a discarded coat. Nestled into the back seat of your car.

These are all places where your dog can sleep — and quite comfortably too. However, while your dog can sleep anywhere, that doesn’t necessarily mean that she should. As a pet owner, it is very important to provide your dog with a warm and comfortable bed of her own- a place she can retreat to at night and nap in throughout the day.

Video: Decorating: how to make a dog bed

Video: Dog’s Reactions to Cats Stealing Their Beds

Below, we’ve listed just a few of the ways a dog bed can benefit both you and your dog.

Benefits

Video: Rosie's Bedroom Tour

Cushion
A good dog bed will provide your pet with a soft, comfortable place to rest his joints and bones. This becomes increasingly important as dogs age.
Insulation
Dog beds offer an important source of insulation during the winter and summer, acting as a protective layer between the cold floor or hot ground.
Hair and odor control
Dog beds can help keep your house clean (or at least cleaner) by keeping the hair and odor concentrated in a single area, while discouraging pets from curling up on the upholstery. Even better, quality dog beds are water-resistant and easy to clean.
Personal space
Much like the rest of your family, your dog needs a space where she feels safe, protected, and relaxed. By providing your dog with her own bed, you can help your dog feel as though she has a valued place in your household.

How to choose a dog bed

Video: How to make an Elevated Dog Bed

Now that you know your dog needs his own bed, how do you pick the right one? To determine the best bed for your dog, you should consider the following factors:

Size
It’s important to choose a bed that is big enough to support your dog’s body when she is stretched out. We suggest measuring your dog, and then picking a bed that is at least 5 inches longer and wider.
Ease of cleaning
Consider choosing a water-resistant bed for easy cleanup.
Location
If your dog sleeps outside, you should choose a bed that resists mold, fungus, and other environmental hazards to avoid causing health issues.
Quality
Just as you wouldn’t skimp when choosing your own bed, you should look for a bed made of durable, superior materials.

For humans, it isn’t just a sales pitch from mattress companies when they say you spend a third of your life in bed, so what you sleep on is important. The same is true for dogs, and even more so. We owe it to them to find a safe, comfortable place for them to sleep or just hang out calmly with the family. Luckily, dog beds are a lot cheaper than human beds, but worth every penny you spend.

Does your dog have their own luxury bed, do they share yours, or do they seem comfortable napping anywhere? Let us know in the comments.