Your Dog Needs It's Own Bed
There are lots of people who allow their dogs to sleep up in the bed with them
, but there are plenty of people who prefer to have their dog sleep off the bed. There are some good reasons to have your dog sleep off the bed.- If you have allergies then it's usually a good idea to keep the dog off the bed. Contrary to what most people think, if you are allergic to dogs you are not actually allergic to their fur. You are allergic to their dander, which is a combination of the skin flakes, saliva, urine and other things that attach themselves to what your dog sheds every day. The hair is only a bonus. When a dog sleeps on the bed he inevitably leaves lots of this dander behind, making life more difficult for allergy-sufferers. Even when they wash bed linens frequently this dander goes everywhere. Unless an allergy-sufferer wants to wash their bed linens and pillowcases each day, keeping the dog off the bed is the easiest way to try to manage the dander that gets close to their faces.
- Dogs get dirty. Not only do they get dirty but they can also carry pests onto your bed. Fleas, ticks and other things can hitch a ride on your dog right up next to you at night when you're asleep. Sure, you may have to deal with these same pests in your house at other times, but most people prefer to keep them out of the bed. Of course you can use good flea and tick preventives to reduce the problem but some people prefer to keep all pests far away from the bed. Oh, yes. There's still the dirt factor. Most people don't bathe their dogs daily so your dog is going to be dirty from time to time and that dirt is going to be on your bed.
- Dogs are bed hogs. If you have had a dog in the bed then you know, no matter how small the dog, a dog is a bed hog. They can push you out of bed, take all the covers, and try to take the pillows. Dogs expand as soon as they get on a bed. For some reason there are people who prefer to enjoy their bed without having a dog trying to take up all the space.
These are all good reasons for a dog to have his own bed.
Try to choose a bed that you think your dog will enjoy and use. It doesn't have to cost a fortune. it doesn't have to resemble Marie Antoinette's bed at Versailles. For most dogs a nice rectangular dog bed with supportive material inside will be fine. You or your dog may prefer a circular bed. Either one is fine.
If your dog is elderly look for a bed with egg crate foam or an orthopedic bed that distributes his weight well. This will help him if he has arthritis or if he has trouble getting up out of his bed. Heated beds are also good.
Beds with cedar filling are also a good choice for some dogs. In some cases the side of the bed can be unzipped and fresh cedar can be put inside when it needs to be refreshed.
Beds that can be unzipped for washing are a good choice.
Look for a bed that is plenty large enough for your dog and which will allow him to curl up in comfort. It's better to be too large rather than too small. If you have more than one dog then two dogs may enjoy cuddling together on one large doggy bed.
There are all kinds of dog beds and they come in lots of different styles and colors. Choose based on the mattress type first, and then you can go for appearance.
Your dog can be very happy with his own bed if you choose one he likes.
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