With So Many Pet Beds to Choose from, How Do I Decide?
There are basically three things to look at when choosing from the large number of pet beds
available for your dog. Depending on the size and resting habits of your dog, you will want
to choose the shape of the bed, decide what type of cover you want on it, and what kind of
filling you want in the pet bed.
While it may seem that the shape of pet beds isn’t really all that important, that is not the
case at all. A soft, round dog bed, for example, is good for the dog that likes to curl up, as
he will sink down and feel snug and cozy, and protected while having a sleep. A rectangular pet
bed is good for animals that like to stretch out, especially large breeds and older dogs with
arthritis or stiff joints. In our household, our two-year-old Sheltie, Lady, likes to curl up
in her round dog bed, while the 110 pound Owen prefers to stretch out on an old mattress.
Probably the most important quality to look for in a cover for any of the pet beds you may
look at is to make sure it is washable, preferably in the washing machine. Cotton or fleece
covers are the most common, and they are soft and comfortable for your dog. However, if your
pet is a chewer, you may wish to look into a canvas or corduroy dog bed cover. If the cover
of the dog bed is not washable, or removable, use a dog blanket to cover the bed, and tuck the
ends under it to hold the blanket in place, so you can at least wash that.
For decades, most pet beds have been filled with polystyrene beads, as they are soft and
cushiony, and mold to the shape of the dog’s body. Others dog beds may be filled with regular
foam, or a mixture of polystyrene beads and cedar chips, or a newer kind of Polyfill, which is
soft and silent, if your pet is known to be up and down often during the night. One thing to
remember about any dog bed that has cedar chips as filling; while the cedar helps repel insects,
and keeps the pet bed smelling fresh, It is not recommended for hunting dogs, as it affects
their sense of smell. Lastly, older and arthritic dogs will appreciate a bed made of memory
foam, as it will provide the comfort and relief that your pet deserves.
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