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Betsy and Norman think that every dog deserves at least one (preferably one in each room) high quality comfy bed. After all if the floor is so comfortable then why do dogs jump up on YOUR bed or the furniture when your back is turned? Betsy and Norman love to lie outside in nice weather, but if they are going to be there very long they scratch an indentation in the ground so that it is nice and comfy. So if you don’t want your dog to scratch a hole in your flooring you might want to consider a high quality dog bed.
Dogs usually decide where they are going to sleep, but maybe if they had a great comfy dog bed they would sleep in it rather than hogging your bed. I recently read a study about sleep problems, and a huge percentage of people who had sleep problems let their dogs sleep with them! Betsy and Norman have never gotten to sleep in our bed…it is not that they did not try though. Please note: I (mom) sleep on the floor with them when they have a night when they need extra cuddling. So a comfy bed is a necessity in our house.
We are constantly searching for that perfect dog bed. You would not believe how many dog beds that we have tried and only a few pass the Betsy, Norman, and mom test! We do not currently carry dog beds; however, we think that this information is important for EVERY dog. When you are shopping for a dog bed – here are the things that we think will help you to find the perfect dog bed:
1. Will the bed support your dog’s weight?
Norman was so excited when we got new beds a few years ago, he claimed one and no one else was going to sleep on it. The third night he was reluctant to get in his bed, and when he did he looked at me with sad eyes. I kneeled next to him on his bed and my knees went right to the floor – Norman was sleeping on the floor, with lots of fluff around him. He was so happy when I got his old bed out – he gave that new bed to his cocker spaniel sister. So if you are shopping in a store for a bed, get a sack of food that is about the same weight of your dog and see if your dog will be sleeping on the floor or it will have enough support for a happy night’s sleep.
2. Is the bed big enough for your dog?
Measure correctly – bigger is better Please do not be like me (mom) and try to buy a dog bed to fit a certain spot! Dog beds need to fit the dog not the place in your house that you want the bed to go! I think the best way to measure a dog for a bed is to measure them when they are lying down – hopefully with their legs stretched out. Then add at least 5” all the way around. Make sure the bed surface will be big enough for your dog to do its famous turn around before it lies down thing. Remember BIGGER is always better. Betsy and Norman will not sleep on a bed that they can not turn around on, especially Betsy.
3. Is the cover washable and replaceable?
A washable cover is a necessity! Dog seem to be dirt magnets, and you never know what they might want to bring to bed with them. It is great when you can purchase a new cover for that favorite bed – that way your dog’s bed can change with your decor.
4. Is it the correct type for your climate?
A big fluffy bed might look so cute and cuddly to you, but if you live in a warm climate it is going to be too hot for your dog. Dogs naturally curl up when it is cold and stretch out when it is warm, so make sure your dog’s bed is big enough for that hot day.
5. How high should the bed be?
If your dog currently sleeps on your bed, the couch, etc., a high bed will not be a problem. If your dog currently sleeps on the floor they may be reluctant to climb up on a high bed. Because you want your dog’s bed to have enough thickness to support them, make sure the bed is big enough for them to turn around on. Betsy and Norman love me to stack their 5” high beds up – we call it a double decker – but they will not sleep on a 12” high bed because it is not big enough for them to turn around on.
6. What style/shape dog bed is best?
They now make beds in every style and shape – round, rectangle, triangle, nest, elevated, etc. It is so hard to choose. Betsy and Norman seem to only want to sleep in a round bed. However, their cocker spaniel sister will sleep on any shape bed! Nest beds are great for cold weather, but we think they are too hot for warm weather, which we have a lot of in Arizona. A triangle bed works great for a corner, especially for a small dog; however, remember that it needs to be big enough so that your dog can turn around before they lay down. Elevated beds are great for dogs that are use to getting up on your bed and your couch – it becomes their own special place. So what style and shape should you get? Betsy and Norman think that your dog should decide.
Night, night!
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