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Buy the Perfect Dog Bed You And
Your Pet Can Both Appreciate!
Dogs
are creatures of habit and will usually enjoy sleeping in the same
spot, so it is important that you choose the right bed
to fit into your dog’s current habits.
There are several factors you need to
consider when selecting a bed for you dog or dogs:
1. Size: The bed must be big
enough and strong enough to match your dog's breed, but
not so big that you waste money on unused bed space.
Carefully measuring your dog will assure the proper fit.
Measure your dog once standing up;
from tip of nose to base of tail and also from floor to
shoulders or head. If you will be buying a mattress dog
bed, add 12 inches. This will give you an approximate
width and length for a flat dog bed. Measure your dog
another time in his favorite sleeping position; perhaps
his length when fully stretched out, or his diameter
when curled into a ball. For nest and ball-type beds
measure the length of your dog while he is curled up.
Measure from the top of his head to the point where his
tail meets his hindquarters, and then add 7 to 9 inches.
The right size dog bed will match or
be slightly larger than your measurements. Beds that are
too small may not be comfortable for your dog. You want
to allow room for growth, if you dog is still growing,
and you want to allow room for movement regardless of
whether your dog is still growing or if he's already at
maximum size.
2. Climate and local weather:
Will you want your dog bed to provide warmth in the
winter or provide air circulation in the summer? Will
you need an
outdoor dog bed in a
doghouse
or on a front porch? What are the seasonal temperature
ranges where you live? You will need to select a dog bed
that can stand up to whatever Mother Nature throws at
it.
3. Shape and style: The shape
and style of the dog bed should be determined by the
size and sleeping habits of your dog. Pay close
attention to their favorite sleeping positions and
locations. Does your dog enjoy sleeping in a sunny spot
in the morning and by the bed in the evening? You may
want a bed that can be easily moved about the house and
fits the decor in several rooms. Buy a bed that matches
the room where your dog spends the most time sleeping,
usually wherever the family spends the most time. Also
keep in mind the height of the beds. Small dog or dogs
with arthritis may have a hard time climbing up onto a
platform or furniture type dog bed.
How to select the basic shape:
Dog beds come in several different
shapes round
dog beds nests,
donut dog
beds or cuddler beds, round fluffy balls or
pillow dog
beds, square flat mattresses and sofa shaped
furniture. Again, to select the right shape for your
dog, pay attention to how he sleeps. If your dog curls
up when sleeping, then a nest or ball is the right
choice for him. Nests provide excellent cold-weather
insulation as well since your dog can snuggle down
inside of them. However most nesting beds are just
fabric and fill and are not intended for outdoor use.
If your pet stretches out when
sleeping, then a more conventional dog bed mattress
should be your choice. Mattress beds let your dog toss
and turn, curl and stretch, and find whatever position
suits him best.
Dogs that enjoy both stretching out
and curling up usually do well with furniture-like dog
beds. The arms and back of these small sofas are great
for snuggling, but the long length make them great for
stretching out. If your dog likes your sofa you may want
to think about a sofa style dog bed to make him or her
happy. (They love the arms to lay their head on)
There are also platform style dog
beds, many of which can be used out doors. These beds
are often made from wood or plastic and provide an
elevated sleeping area. These are often ideal for hot
climates as some allow for air circulation.
How to select the right filler
material
Your basic dog bed filler choices are
either solid foam, or stuffing. Since the type of
filling that you choose will impact your dog's comfort,
you should make an informed decision that takes into
consideration your dog's size, age, and health.
Inexpensive dogs beds often use cheap foam that can
flatten out in little time. It is often
worthwhile to pay a little more a quality bed that will
last several years. We only represent quality products
made with quality materials. Our dog beds will last,
unless your dog eats it.
Poly-fill dog beds are stuffed with
little pieces of foam. There are different types of
Poly-fill to choose from. You want to make sure that
your dog bed uses "high-loft" which means that it will
not flatten out and lose its "spring" over time. Another
dog bed style that uses "baffled chambers" which keeps
the fill evenly distributed throughout the bed and keeps
it from shifting to the outer edges as your dog snuggles
in for the night.
Solid foam dog bed mattresses are
best for large breeds and older dogs that are still in
good health. If your dog has arthritis, or any back or
hip problems, then you need a medical-grade,
orthopedic
dog bed.
The two key issues when choosing a
solid foam such as memory
foam mattress are firmness and density. Just like
your mattress, the firmness determines how hard or soft
the mattress is, while density determines how much
"bounce" is in the mattress a good quality solid foam
dog bed mattress will have a higher density and more
firmness.
There are some specialty beds available that are made to
hold up against a teething puppy or a dog that likes to
chew and tear up traditional dog beds. Many platform
beds (such as Kuranda Dog
Beds) are designed like hammocks so that your dog
rests comfortably on chew-proof mesh or fabric. These
types of beds are a great alternative if your dog has
already chewed his way through several foam beds!
How to select the right dog bed
cover
Lets face it, dogs can be messy so
make sure that your dog bed cover is up to the
challenge. Choose 100% machine-washable fabrics that can
be removed from the mattress when it's laundry time.
Choose a durable fabric that can stand up to sharp
toenails. Make sure that the seams are double-stitched
and insist upon a "self-repairing" synthetic zipper. Of
course, a stain-resistant fabric for your dog bed is
another must-have feature. Many of the new sofa-type dog
beds can be purchased with a washable slipcover and are
worth the extra money.
Micro-velvet & Micro-suede fabrics are
beautiful in vibrant solids or prints also are easy to
keep clean and actually repel pet hair. Machine wash and
dry will look great and last for years. Some most
popular Dog Bed Designers use this ultra deluxe
upholstery fabric such as Bowsers and Haute Pooch
on their many styles and sizes of beds.
Cordura Nylon is a
high-denier fabric with the texture and
look, feel of canvas.
Ballistic Nylon is similar to Cordura with a tighter
smoother weave making it even stronger. Kuranda
uses these fabrics on a cot style bed that is virtually
indestructible.
Crypton Fabrics have created a “super”
fabric for pets and people
with a color palette
to enhance any home. Crypton fabrics are available in a
wide selection of solids, designs and fabric finishes.
Crypton is also a fabric choice that is resistant to
bacteria, odors, and stains, mildew and repels moisture
making this great for indoors and out. What more can you
ask for?
Making Your Final Decision – Let Your Dog
Decide
Learn your dog’s sleeping habits. Does he/she stretch
out? Curl up in a ball? This will help decide on the
style you will want. Such as if you have teeny-tiny
Chihuahua you may want a small cuddle style bed to help
them feel warm and secure. The same goes if you have a
Greyhound except you will want your cuddle bed in an
xlarge.
Does
your dog have special needs? If your dog is aging you
will want an orthopedic bed, or if they leak urine or
drool excessively you will want water resistant or
waterproof. If you dog is aging and suffers from severe
arthritis forgo the “fluff factor” and select a
high-density memory foam with a low profile to make
stepping on their bed easier for them, yet their joints
will still be well protected.
Measure the full length of your dog’s body and add a few
inches to make sure your dog has plenty of length in the
new bed. The width should be in correct proportion.
In a Nutshell:
You should know your dog.
For example: my dog likes my couch a little to much so I
bought her a bed with a high bolster around three sides.
It is deep and well cushioned so her joints are
protected. She loves it so she stays off my couch. It is
large enough for her to stretch out in but she can also
curl up and snuggle in it so it meets all of her needs
and mine.
If you need help selecting the type,
size or style of dog bed your dog needs we are happy to
help you with making your decision. Please call us at
417.588.9675 to answer any questions you may have.
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