subject: Learning a Little More about Dog Beds and Your Dog [print this page] Learning a Little More about Dog Beds and Your Dog
Our dogs are beloved members of our family. So don't they deserve a nice comfy bed like everyone else in the family? It wasn't too long ago that the choice of dog beds was pretty limited to a packed down, pillow much like a bean bag. Now your choices are almost unlimited. You can find all sorts of dog beds and the one you decide on depends on your sense of style. However, there are some selections you should consider that are universal across the range of dog bed choices.
Obviously, the first factor is the size of the bed. It has to large and durable enough to go with your canine. However, you don't want it too big so that takes up too much space. You'll have to assure a proper fit so start by measuring your dog. Have him standing up and measure from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail. You'll also measure it from the floor to shoulders. These measurements provide a fairly accurate length and width for the bed.
The correct size of dog bed should either match or a little bigger than the measurements you came up with. Small beds won't be comfortable and probably won't be used, either. So buy a size bigger to leave room for likely growth and a little bit of wiggle room.
One walk through a pet store and you'll notice that there is wide variety of different shapes of dog beds. You'll find round nests, donut beds, rounded pillows, square flat mattresses and beds shaped like furniture. If your particular pooch sleeps curled up, then a nest is the best choice for it. These beds also offer superb cold-weather padding too since it can nuzzle down inside of them. Nesting beds are typically made of fabric and fill.
Maybe your dog is a stretcher or a curler. If that is the case, human-type furniture dog beds are a great choice. My personal favorite is the couch dog bed. Not only is it cute but they are also great for snuggling. Their long length is also good for dogs which stretch out. The only downside with these beds is price. These dog beds are replicas of sofas and are made with pricey material.
Remember your dog's health and comfort is dependent on it getting an excellent night's sleep. Plus when your dog gets a good night's sleep, so do you.
