Pet Beds
There are many pet owners that wish they could find a more appropriate place for their dog or cat to sleep than their brand new sofa or king sized bed. The thought of dog hair and droll all over their furniture, clothes and guests is not a desirable side effect of owning a dog. Instead of constantly fighting with your pet to get off the furniture while you’re home, only to know that they are sleeping all over it while you are gone, give your dog a place of his own to lounge around in. It is possible to alleviate the problems of hair all over your bed by choosing an appropriate dog bed. Many people don’t realize that not all dog beds are created equal. Each dog size, personality and breed can require a different type, size and quality of bedding. If you’d like to keep your pets off the furniture, there might be an easy fix. Give them a place that is their own so they’ll stay off of yours.
There are a number of different types of filling used in animal beds. One of the most used is polyester filling. This filling is super soft, silent when the animal is moving around on it and machine washable. It also retains its shape well. Another filling commonly used is polystyrene beads. These beads are soft and very cushiony. These beads conform to the dog’s body and retain body warmth. Memory foam has been used as a filling in dog beds. It can be used as a layer surrounding a layer of foam core. Memory foam is ideal for older dogs with arthritis or dogs that might need ultimate support when resting. Cedar is another type of filling that can stand alone or be combined with beads or polyester filling. Cedar acts as an insect repellant and keeps the dog bed smelling fresh. The only consideration with cedar would be with hunting dogs because the cedar can interfere with their ability to smell.
Dog beds are made in all shapes and sizes. They can even be coordinated with your own bedding. There are pillow style beds which are just that – big pillows. They can be square or round in shape and come in sizes from small to quite large. These are great for dogs that like to stretch or sprawl out when they sleep. Larger breed dogs typically need these pillow types since it is harder on their joints to curl up. There are also beds called that resemble a nest with bumpers surrounding it. It gives the dog a sense of security to be enclosed in the bed. These are for dogs that like to sleep in the curled up position or under the covers. These beds cater to smaller dogs with thin or fine hair.
There are other considerations when choosing a dog bed. Pet owners must consider the type of fabric the bed is made from. Dogs with allergies will need a bed with hypoallergenic bed filling that is machine washable. Keeping the bedding clean will reduce his/her allergy issues and will also keep away fleas. Considering the type of fabric might also help with dogs that are scratchers or chewers. Tougher fabrics will help prevent against damage to the bed due to digging and pawing too.
The last step after purchasing a dog bed is to help your dog adapt to his new digs. Always use positive reinforcement in reference to the new bed and never use it as punishment. You can also hide dog treats in the bed or give them a new bone to chew when they get in the bed. Sometimes it will take a pet up to 2 weeks to get used to their new surroundings, but both the pet and the owner will be better off for it.