Can you imagine your life without a comfy bed to crawl into each night?
Your dog’s bed should be a haven and a place they can spend a good deal of time.
It needs to be sturdy, comfortable, safe and of course easy to clean and
resistant to parasites.
But what kind of bed should you buy for your dog? After all, beds for people
come in a bewildering array of sizes and shapes and the same is true of beds
for our canine companions.
When looking for a bed for your furry best friend we recommend you
ensure that the bed you choose meets the following criteria:
·
Made
of non-toxic materials. Synthetic products, including stain-proofing and flame retardant chemicals,
may harm your dog. This is particularly important if you dog has sensitive skin
or allergies. This is also important for dogs who may chew their bed! When you
first bring your bed home give it a good wash to remove any residues from
processing.
·
Non-skid
bottom. When your
canine companion dives into bed the last thing you want is the bed to slide out
from under him. A moving dog bed not only poses a risk of injury to your dog
but can also become a trip hazard around the home. You can use non-slip matting
if the bed doesn’t have its own non-slip base, the style used under floor rugs.
·
Easy
to clean. If you have a
smaller dog, buy a bed you can throw into the washing machine on a hot cycle
over 60°C. This will kill flea eggs and dust mites. If you can also pop it in
the sun to dry, perfect. If you can’t wash the bed, make sure the cover is
washable or the bed can be hosed off and put in the sun to dry.
·
Warm
or elevated. If you live in a
cold area or your dog sleeps outside, an insulated bottom or an elevated bed is
ideal to get your pet off the cold ground.
·
Water
repellent. Many beds have a
water repellent cover, particularly useful for pets that head off to bed after
getting wet. You can also keep a collection of old towels to throw over the bed
if your pet is a little soggy.
·
Indestructible. Particularly for puppies or those
that chew, ensure the bed is tough, there are no parts that can be chewed and
swallowed and for the chewers, avoid heated beds!
·
Big
enough to stretch out fully. You will need something that will allow your dog to stretch out when it
is hot, or curl up when it is cold. If your dog is young, ensure you are
getting something that will fit when he is fully grown.
A bed suited to your dog and situation
There are many types of beds and depending on whether your dog is old,
young or likes to chew you will need a different sort of bed. The type of
climate you live in and whether your dog sleeps indoors or out is also a
consideration.
Warmer climates. Cooling beds are a great idea, or you can pop frozen water bottles next to or in your dog’s bed on hot days. Dogs that have snub-noses like staffys are particularly prone to heat stroke. Hanging wet towels near your dog’s sleeping quarters can also provide make-shift air-conditioning. For larger dogs trampoline dog beds are ideal as the air can circulate under the bed.
Itchy
dogs. If you have a
smaller pet make sure the entire bed is machine washable and not treated with
any chemicals. Avoid washing detergent or use a very small amount of
hypoallergenic detergent and wash on a hot cycle (over 60°C) each week. For a
larger dog a trampoline dog bed that can be hosed off and put in the sun to dry
will be relatively low allergen. Consider getting two beds so you can rotate
them and wash the bed on a weekly basis. Dust mites and fleas are the most common concerns relating to bedding that can
cause allergies in pets.
 |
| Crates are a great way to transport dogs. Image: Orvis |
Kennels
and crates. If your dog sleeps
outdoors in a kennel, you will need to make sure it is easy to clean. Avoid a
carpeted floor, unless it can be removed and washed. Carpet would need a good
vacuum, hose and to be put in the sun to dry. Wooden kennels can easily get damp,
harbour mites and other creepy crawlies and end up very dirty. Kennels in hot
climates also need to be in shade and well ventilated. Crates are very easy to
clean and can mimic a ‘den’, providing a safe haven for your dog. They are easy
to move should you need to and can be used for car travel. You also then have
an area you can secure your dog at night or when guests are visiting. An old
blanket or towels that can be washed weekly on a hot cycle are ideal for the
base. For some useful information on how to crate train your dog, the RSPCA
Victoria has a guide here.
Things to avoid
·
Mattresses that can’t be fully washed. Washing the cover is not enough
to get rid of fleas and dust mites. These creepy crawlies live in furnishings
like mattresses, carpets and cushions and are a common cause of allergies and
dermatitis. Some covers such as Gore-Tex are resistant to fleas and dust mites,
often by having a very narrow weave, but most regular mattresses are not
protective and over time they will become smelly, dirty and harbour all sorts
of creatures if they can’t be properly cleaned.
·
Beds with straps, buttons, zippers or piping. Particularly dangerous for
those dogs that like to chew. Too much fussy detail can attract the attention
of a destructive dog and anything that can be pulled off has the potential to
be swallowed and form an intestinal foreign body. You should also avoid cooling
or heated beds that have batteries or an electricity connection if your pet
likes to chew!
·
Wooden beds and kennels often have a finish or lacquer on them that can
be toxic when chewed. Wood also has the potential to harbour mites and can
absorb the damp and go mouldy.
Whatever the sleeping quarters you choose for your beloved friend,
remember that this is going to be a place that your dog could potentially spend
up to 18 hours a day sleeping (half his luck!). Choosing something comfortable,
safe and durable that is easy to clean is your priority. Sometimes it is
worthwhile spending a bit more to make sure it will last and be resistant to
common parasites.
Eloise is a Sydney vet working for the online
pet care company Love That Pet. She has
a particular passion for helping pets with anxiety and itchy dogs. She
currently enjoys the quiet life in Sydney with her young boys, Jimmy the cat
and a constant procession of stray cats and birds.
