Like many dog owners, I’ve often wondered: “Should I buy a bed for our dog?” A growing number of veterinarians and breeders are encouraging owners to invest. “Because the average dog spends 75 percent of its whole life in a prone position resting and sleeping, a good bed is very important to every dog’s overall well being and physical health,” Dr. Jim Rieser, a veterinarian and German Shorthair breeder from Franksville, Wisconsin.
Purchasing your pet the proper bed now can prevent costly health problems like joint pain, hair-loss and sores that can develop due to improper body support.
Which Style of Dog Bed Do I Choose?
Generally, dog beds can be narrowed down into three categories: support, lounging and nestling. Which type of bed you choose will depend on your dog.
Support
Does your dog love to sleep on his belly or side with his legs sprawled out in front of or behind him, or tucked under his body? If so, your pooch is putting a lot of pressure on his joints, and may benefit from a bed designed for maximum support.
Lounge Dog Beds
Does your pooch love to sprawl out on your bed or couch, feet in the air or in some other crazy position? These round or square beds provide a soft cushiony space that caters to the needs of this type of dog.
Nestling / Bolster Bed
Resembling a large plush bean bag, these beds are perfect for dogs who like to snuggle and often sleep curled up nose to tail.
Whatever type of bed you choose, make sure it is the appropriate size. If you’re unsure about what size to purchase, measure your dog while sleeping from the tip of his nose to his rump. Now add six inches (or less if it’s a small breed dog). You will want to purchase a dog bed at least this size.
Materials
For ease of cleaning, be sure to choose a product with a removable cover, or one that is designed to fit conveniently into your washing machine.
Next, examine the stuffing. Many beds are cushioned with polyester filling, orthopedic or memory foam. Some materials have been treated with antimicrobial substances designed to keep your pet’s bed smelling fresh and clean. Others may list cedar ribbons as part of the stuffing mixture. These cedar ribbons deter pests like fleas and ticks, control odor, and add extra thickness to the bed. If nothing else, be sure that the material is soft, durable, and odor resistant. Remember, your dog will be spending up to 75% of his time here, so make sure both fabric and stuffing will be able to stand up to heavy use.
Keep in mind your dog’s chewing habits. If you think your dog may chew on his new bed, perhaps it’s best to forgo any special chemical treatments that might harm him when ingested.
With these simple guidelines you will be able to purchase a bed that will keep your pet happy and healthy for a lifetime.
I have no idea about the quality of the Dogpedic product, apparently a memory foam bed but on the business aspects BE CAREFUL. They repeatedly try to upsell you to other products, say that there is a 4 to 6 week delivery and then doubled the order, which they said was a processing error.
I will try to find something that I can trust the vendor.