A Good Dog Bed is Essential

Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it helpful! –Kim

Why Every Dog Needs a Bed

Your furry family member needs a warm, comfortable bed for the same reasons you do. A dog bed allows your pet to have his own space – a place to get a good night's sleep, relax when he is tired, or enjoy a safe, quiet retreat when life gets too hectic. It also provides him with insulation from a cold, hard floor and cushioned support for joints and bones.

Dog beds serve a practical purpose for dog owners, too – they help keep your canine off your sofa and bed and help contain pet hair and dander in one place.

How to pick the right bed for your dog

Make sure the bed is big enough. The bed should be large enough to support his entire body. Try measuring your dog and add five inches to ensure a comfortable fit.

Consider your dog's specific sleeping habits. Does he like to rest his head on a pillow or the arm of a sofa? If so, look for a bed with a raised side (see picture above). Does he like to burrow and nest? A soft, pillow-type bed or a "cave" may be the best choice (left).

Invest in quality. Orthopedic foam beds may be more expensive, but they provide superior support for bones and joints, hold their shape longer and will not need to be replaced as quickly as beds with traditional polyester filling or cedar chips.

Choose easy care fabrics. If your dog sheds or drools, you'll want a bed with an inner pillow that is reversible and machine-washable. If your dog chews everything to shreds, try a Kuranda bed.

In the colder weather or climates, consider a safety-tested heated dog bed. Or, in hot weather or climate areas, think about a safe cooling dog bed.

Get an outdoor-safe bed for an outdoor dog. If your dog spends a lot of time outside or sleeps in a doghouse, look for materials treated to eliminate mold, fungus and other outdoor hazards that may be harmful to your dog.

Where you place your dog's bed is important, too. Just remember, it's his resting place, so try to avoid a high traffic area of your home. Choose a room where you spend a lot of time, so your pooch can always be nearby. If your dog still uses a crate, you might want to put his bed inside the crate.

A good dog bed is not a luxury – it's an essential piece of furniture. So, take the time to find the right one. After all, you want the bed and the benefits it provides, to last a long time.

Source: http://www.pedigree.com/02All-Things-Dog/Article-Library/fetch.aspx?artId=706&catId=1&sCatId=12&catName=Puppy&sCatName=Socialization
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