Out of all the accessories for your lovely furry friend, dog beds are definitely the most valuable ones. Not only do they make for a nice and comfy surface for your dog to have its well-deserved rest, but they’re also great to create a dog-friendly space where your furry friends can “retreat” and have some quiet time away from noisy guests, running children and even you.
But we know that choosing the right bed for your dog can be a very daunting task, and that’s why we put together a couple of great tips and suggestions to help you choose the best option for your furry friend.
Types of Beds for Dogs
Once you decide to search the market, you’ll come across the huge range of dog beds nowadays’ manufacturers offer. Truth be told, not all of them are equally good for your lovely puppy. So, make sure you get to know the different types and choose from the fancy pet beds Australian dog parents love.
Standard Dog Beds
Starting from the basic variant, standard dog beds are the most commonly chosen variant and there’s more than just one reason for it. First of all, you can find luxury pet beds in this group that are affordable and won’t drain your wallet. Besides that, standard dog beds are suitable for every age and breed since they don’t feature any rims or special foams that dogs can find very uncomfortable.
Doughnut-shaped Dog Beds
Doughnut shaped beds are also one of the most popular options. As their name states, these fancy pet beds feature a round shape with a hole in the middle and look exactly like a doughnut. One of the reasons dogs love these beds is that they can curl inside for hours while surrounded by soft and comfy rims and padding. But, if you’re having a senior dog, or your lovely puppy starts to age know that doughnut-shaped beds’ rims may be too high for them.
Orthopedic Dog Beds
If your furry friend is suffering from any musculoskeletal conditions, then it’s best to skip those fancy and luxury pet beds and get an orthopaedic one. These beds are usually made of specialized foam padding that tend to follow your dog’s natural body shape and anatomy and relieve the pressure from its bones, joints and other vulnerable areas.
Also, some of these orthopaedic dog beds can feature a heating element inside to provide the most comfortable sleeping surface for dogs suffering from joint pain or muscle spasms.
Elevated Dog Beds
Elevated dog beds make for a great choice and especially for the winter period since they’ll serve as a barrier between your dog and the cold, dirty floor. This means that elevated dog beds won’t only keep your puppy warm while it’s resting, but they’ll also protect its skin from the annoying insects and pests that attack dogs.
However, these beds are not recommended for dogs that suffer from back problems as well as for breeds that are prone to them such as Bulldogs, King Charles Spaniels, Pugs, Beagles etc…
Kennel Dog Beds
Finally, if your puppy loves to spend time inside their crate or kennel, then kennel dog beds are the ideal option for you. This is due to kennel beds featuring long rims and a frame that makes dogs feel secure, along with a padded mattress that feels very comfy.
Picking the Material
Starting from the most popular one, polyester makes for a great choice for dog beds since it’s a naturally hypoallergenic material that won’t cause any allergies to your dog. Polyester materials are also shown to trap heat, which means your dog will never feel cold again, and you won’t even have to pay an entire fortune for it.
On the other hand, if you want to provide your furry friend with a bed that will feel endlessly soft and cosy, then don’t hesitate to choose a luxury puppy bed that features a plush cover. These covers are usually made from faux fur, and except for being the most comfortable option where your dog will love laying for hours, they’re also very warm.
When it comes to the bed’s padding, many experts will recommend foam fillings due to them offering maximum support for your dog without the surface getting compressed at all. This means that they’ll release the pressure from your dog’s joints and bones, which makes for an orthopaedic surface for every dog.
Choosing the Perfect Size
Imagine yourself sleeping curdled or stretched on the side? Feels uncomfortable, right? Well, the same goes for your dog, and that’s why you should opt for choosing a dog bed that can accommodate your pooch perfectly.
But if you have no idea how to choose the perfect size, don’t worry since you can always measure it. Simply, take a measuring tape and measure your dog from the tip of its nose to its rump and from the crowd of its head to its pads if it tends to sleep on the side or on its back. But on the other hand, if your dog tends to curl in a ball and fall asleep, then it’s best to measure its diameters side to side and top to bottom, also while it is sleeping.
Once you get and record the measurements, it’s best to check out your manufacturer’s sizing chart and choose according to it. If you’re not sure what to choose, your dog is in-between numbers or you feel that the size is not right, then make sure you go for the larger one as it’s better to have some additional space rather than being curdled.
How to Introduce the New Bed to Your Dog?
Now that you know how to choose the perfect bed for your dog, you’re ready to hit the market and get one. But even though it’s made from high-quality materials only and feels comfy enough for your dog to spend most of its time curled inside, know that dogs are creatures that don’t accept changes as easy.
But don’t worry, there’re still a couple of things you can do to make the introduction process easier. For instance, you can try rubbing your hands on the surface of the bed, or put an old shirt on top of it, since this will make your pooch feel safer and more comfortable. You can also put its favourite blanket inside the bed, so you mark the territory and show it that the bed belongs to them.
Dog treats are always a great idea when you’re trying to introduce new habits to your dog, so make sure you praise and treat your puppy a lot when it spends some time on its new bed. This will help your dog associate the bed with positive things only.
However, don’t force the process if your dog still resists or doesn’t want to spend time on its new bed. At the end of the day, your dog may still not be ready to face new changes, so it’s best to delay the process until you feel that your dog is ready for getting introduced to new habits.
