A Cozy Place to Sleep

Bed By Mother Nature

A comfy, supportive bed will give your dog a better quality of sleep. He’s probably already the most cheerful, enthusiastic member of the household, so imagine what he’ll be like after a superb night’s sleep! Proper sleep support at night will help prevent sore joints and muscles. If you have an older dog, you probably know that arthritis and other joint problems are common ailments. There are a variety of beds made with your older dog’s special needs in mind, such as heated beds and orthopedic designs.

Most dog beds are made with comfort and function in mind. To be sure you select the right dog bed for your particular dog, here are some
things you’ll need to consider:

- Always place your dog’s bed away from drafts and in a quiet
place where she’ll feel secure.

- A bed that fits your dog properly will be large enough so
that no part of your pet’s body hangs off the side. PetsMart provides this
convenient dog bed size chart which covers the most common breeds. If you don’t
see your dog’s breed in the chart, look for a breed of similar size. When in
doubt, a bed that’s a bit too large is better than one that’s too small.

- Most dog beds are made filled with foam. A heavy dog should have a bed
with foam thick enough to support his weight and pressure points.
Larger beds usually have thicker foam insides to allow for the heavier dogs who
sleep on them. An inch of foam is generally thick enough for the extra small to
medium dog, and two inches of foam is enough for the medium to large dog. Look
for three inches or more for the extra large breeds like St. Bernards.

- Puppies missing their moms will find great
comfort and will sleep through the night more easily when they feel as
though they’re close to their mother. High tech beds come with digitally
mastered heartbeats, but a good old fashioned ticking clock will often do
the trick. A bed with a pocket for a warmer is a nice touch, so your puppy
feels as though he’s snuggled up to his mom’s body heat. If he’s a
chwier, make sure the bed is covered with a sturdy fabric.
An older dog or a dog with muscle and joint problems will be most comforted
by an orthopedic bed and may benefit from the cooling effects that a “canine
cooler” can provide.