According to a recent survey done by the American Pet Products Association, almost half of all dogs sleep in bed with their owners.
If you’re guilty of letting your pooch cuddle in bed with you every night, it’s probably time to change the habit and get your dog their own bed.
But do dogs need beds? You’d be surprised how important it is to dogs for them to have their own bed. We’ll break down why for you here!
Why Your Pet Can’t Sleep With You
First, you need to understand why you can’t let your pet sleep with you.
Dogs think in a pack mentality, and they normally like to think that they’re the head of the family. If they think they’re at the top of the social structure, you will have a harder time training them and getting them to behave.
One thing that gives dogs a cue on where they fall on the social ladder is being on the same level as you. For example, if you’re both on the bed, they think they’re at the top of the social ladder with you.
However, if you put your dog in their own bed on the floor, they recognize that you’re above them, which means that now you’re higher up on the food chain.
Why Dogs Need Their Own Bed
Aside from the social hierarchy in your house, you should let your pets sleep in their own bed so you can spread out in your own bed.
It’s also healthier for you and them for them to have their own bed. However, there are many more advantages for them having their own bed.
Can Be a Place Just for Them
Getting your dog a bed means that they’ll have a place in your house that is solely their own. To make sure they know it’s just theirs, you shouldn’t sit in it or try it out. If they see you or any other pet in their bed, they won’t feel like it’s really their own.
Their bed can be a safe space for them, whether it’s in a cage or out in the open. This is a place where they can be at the top of the food chain in their own space.
As an added benefit, giving your pet a comfortable place for them to sleep will ensure that they don’t try to find somewhere else to sleep. If they don’t have their own bed, they might try and sleep in your bed or ruin your furniture.
Cleaner
Getting your dog their own bed is also cleaner and more hygienic for them.
Regardless of how much you clean your floors, they’ll still always be somewhat dirty. However, you might worry that even the dog bed will get gross.
Dogs can track in all kinds of dirt and mud, but most dog beds are actually very easy to wash. Some of them come with a liner that you can throw right into the washing machine.
Healthier
In addition to having a cleaner bed, it will also improve their health.
If you have hardwood floors or poor carpet, it can actually hurt your dog to lay on a hard surface all the time. This can be especially true for your senior dog.
You can buy dog beds that are orthopedic, which can help ease some of their pain. These types of dog beds are perfect for dogs who have arthritis, joint problems, or hip dysplasia.
How to Choose the Perfect Bed
Once you decide to get a bed, you should do some research and shop around to make sure you buy the perfect bed for them.
When shopping for a bed, think about the way they sleep, what kind of breed the dog is, how restless he is, and how big he is. If they’re a large dog and move around a lot, you should probably find a bigger bed for them. However, if they like to curl up rather than sprawl out, you might be able to get a smaller bed for them.
You should also think about what shape dog bed to get. A rectangular bed is best for dogs who like to sleep all sprawled out. If they like to curl up, you might want to get them a round bed to make it more comfortable for them. If they like to do both, you might want to get a larger bed than you normally would.
When you start shopping, check out Coziwow.com. They have all kinds of dog bed options so that you can find the perfect one for your dog.
If you don’t want to buy a dog bed, you can try and make your own if you’re crafty enough. There are plenty of ideas and inspiration online, and most of them are pretty easy.
Where to Put the Dog Bed
Once you buy the dog bed, you’ll need to figure out where you want to put it.
Before you put it somewhere, ask yourself if you’re going to have to constantly be moving it? Do you want it somewhere close to where you’ll sleep or somewhere that’s close to the family?
Discover More About: Do Dogs Need Beds?
So if you’re still wondering, “Do dogs need beds?” The answer is yes, absolutely.
You might find it overwhelming trying to care for your pet, and trying to figure out what bed to choose can be stressful as well. However, you don’t have to do it on your own.
We’re here to help you out. If you enjoyed this article, make sure that you explore our website to find more articles just like this one!
