Last Updated on September 14, 2022 by Editorial Team
Every dog needs to have their own bed, even if they like to curl up next to you or on your bed – even two, if possible. There are many reasons to give your dog their bed, someplace where they can nap or rest during the day, even if they sleep elsewhere at night.
So, why do dogs need a bed?
Why You Should Get Your Dog a Bed
Your dog shouldn’t be sleeping on the floor, even if they can technically curl up and sleep anywhere. And if you’re honest, you might appreciate having more space on your bed, though you love having the dog near you at bedtime.
Learn below why you should invest in a good doggy bed for your best friend and how to choose the right bed for them.
Giving Them Their Own Space
Like humans, dogs need a space that is only theirs within the house, where they are the be-all and say-all.
The house belongs to someone, and even the dogs that stay outside the home have their kennels. Without their own space, your dog might feel like they’re at the mercy of the ‘real owners’ of the house.
Offering your dog a unique bed gives them a domain to retreat to when they want some alone time.
Also, if they have somewhere to sleep, it will be easy to keep them from sleeping where you don’t want them to. Thus, you can keep your dog from scratching or leaving fur on your carpets and cozy bedding by giving them their own bed.
Health
Your dog needs about 12-14 hours of sleep every day – that’s a lot of sleeping time. So, they need a cozy and comfortable space to stretch out and sleep appropriately for continued wellness.
A comfy dog bed will help your furball whether it likes to stretch out or curl up. Without it, you may be forcing it to sleep in unnatural positions that affect the quality of rest it gets.
Sleeping on hard surfaces like the floor can damage your dog’s bones, even if they are young, active, and healthy. However, if your dog is elderly, arthritic, disabled, or sick, it becomes more important to have a unique doggy bed made to ensure their utmost comfort while they sleep.
Older dogs should have an orthopedic dog bed or a memory foam mattress topper to make them more comfortable.
Hygiene
The truth is that dogs aren’t the cleanest of animals around – certainly not as clean as human beings. In their natural environment, dogs interact with a lot of dirt, mud, and even animal droppings, and they can quickly transfer this dirt into your house in places you wouldn’t like.
You can keep him and the rest of your home hygienic by designating a doggy bed for them. Get a bed with a removable and machine-washable cover for easy cleaning when soiled – even if that happens twice a week.
As a result, you won’t be stuck policing their every movement outside because they’ll sleep on your bed, furniture or carpet later.
Instead, they can freely explore to their heart’s content and then relax in their bed, which you can clean easily. This is definitely easier than combing your entire house with a vacuum to remove dirt and animal fur.
Human Allergies
Finally, if someone in your family has allergies, having designated zones for your dog can help to protect them from flare-ups. For example, your dog should sleep somewhere that doesn’t interfere with the regular movement of the person with allergies.
Given how long dogs sleep, giving them a bed can make it easy for the family member and your pet to co-exist in the same space.
What Kind of Bed Should You Get?
Dog beds can be as simple or fancy as possible, from a large old pillow to a wrought-iron canopy bed. The kind of bed to buy depends on your budget, tastes, décor, and, most importantly, how your dog sleeps. Watch out for how your dog lies when they are most comfortable.
Getting a flat mattress according to their size is advisable if your dog likes to stretch out. If it wants to curl, you want an oval-shaped or circular pillow, like a beanbag chair. The size of your dog will determine the size of the chair.
Heated or orthopedic beds may be indicated for older dogs or those with other medical needs. Giant dogs may need the support of a box-spring type bed, as will dogs with structural (bone) ailments.
Whichever bed you buy, make sure it has a removable cover with waterproof underpadding for easy cleaning. The padding is especially helpful if you have a sick or otherwise incontinent dog. In addition, the cover can be removed and thrown into your washing machine as often as it becomes soiled.
Make sure the surface is soft, plush, and comfortable against your dog’s skin – remember that dogs have fragile and sensitive skin.
Conclusion
We hope this post has answered the question: why do dogs need a bed?
Having understood the importance of having a dedicated doggy bed for your furry friend, always work extra hard to keep it clean to prevent the buildup of germs or unpleasant odors.
You want your dog to be completely comfortable on their bed, and no one likes to be in filth when they’re resting, napping, or sleeping.
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