Does a Dog Even Need a Bed?
When I was growing up, the dogs my friends’ families had were often lucky just to make it inside the house, let alone be offered a luxuriously soft place to sleep—covered with toys no less. But research has proven that improvements to a dog’s nutritional standards and level of comfort not only improve their quality of life, but also their longevity. Buying a dog bed today has become the standard for raising a happy and healthy pup who will stick around for many years to come.
A dog’s bed also becomes his “place.” Just as the rest of the pack has a place to call their own, giving your dog his own space allows him to recoup when things within the pack are unsettling. An argument, a serious illness, or a new addition to the pack can all be very stressful for your dog. Giving him his own space helps him understand his role in the pack, making him feel more secure and less likely to challenge for better places in the pack.
Dog beds are especially comforting for dogs with physical difficulties, such as back or hip issues, arthritis, or degenerative bone or disk diseases. Keeping them off the floor allows them a better night’s rest and helps maintain daily comfort. Just like a human with a bad back wakes up feeling stiff and sore, our pups can as well. How likely are you to sleep on the floor knowing your back is going to feel like a freight train ran over it in the morning?
The Process of Buying the Right Dog Bed
The process of buying a dog bed should be simple, right? You just head to the store and pick up something comfy. That used to be the case when dog beds were more of a rare treat than the norm. However, over the last ten years or so, dog bed design has become anything but standard. In fact, you can spend anywhere from $15 to a whopping $400 on a dog bed, and that’s just the mattress.
Most of the dog beds you’ll find in typical chain stores are fairly predictable. You’ll see cute little ovals with an entryway cut-out along one side, flat beds, fluffy beds, beds with pillows, and some that are essentially just pillows.
Designer dog beds are also becoming more popular. Some beds look just like small sofas, as though you’re offering your little guy some consolation for being banned from the most comfortable bed in the house—your couch. Others look like rhinestone-studded people beds (usually in some shade of pink) or even come with matching puppy slippers.
Most of us know that we tend to humanize our dogs a little too much, but we accept this because that’s part of what makes them so lovable. After all, many of us would pay a handsome fee just to spend one hour inside our dogs’ minds, trying to understand what on earth goes on there. Some of us admit it would just be way too confusing. Part of the humanizing factor is purchasing items for the dog that we know they don’t need, but that remind us of their human qualities—and make us feel good because it’s cute, cool, or very unique.
Dog beds are no different. Is there any harm in buying a bed for your dog that resembles a sofa? Of course not, as long as it provides ample support, is the right size for the dog, and is reasonable enough in design so that your dog will actually use it.
However, most dog beds lack proper support. Even small dogs tend to weigh more than the pressure of our hand, and when we push down on a bed that gives too easily, we’re not keeping them off the floor. Fluffy but firm is the key to buying a dog bed that’s comfortable. You want them to curl up in their natural sleeping positions and remain off the floor enough to receive back support. A bed that is too fluffy will simply encourage your dog to tumble off if he moves around.
It may take more than one try to find the perfect dog bed. However, you shouldn’t plunk down a ton of cash on a bed for a dog that has never had the option to sleep in one. There’s an ironic frustration in purchasing a $200 dog bed that looks good, feels comfy enough, and alleviates your guilt after booting them from your own bed—only for them to refuse to use it. Start simple and realistically inexpensive while maintaining comfort. If your dog uses it religiously, there’s a high likelihood they’ll use a more expensive bed should you buy one. Some dogs just won’t, and that’s their choice, meaning you have nothing to feel guilty about when you deny their adorable antics in a desperate attempt to rekindle their love affair with your sheets.
When buying a dog bed, using common sense will go a long way. You want your dog to use it, and you know your dog best. Is he easily frightened by new experiences? Then stay away from overly gaudy designs. Is he happy-go-lucky with an innate sense of self-pride? Then step up the design a bit if you choose. Match the style of the bed with the comfort level, the size of the dog, and his personality, and there shouldn’t be anything standing between your dog and a good night’s sleep.
