Dog bed: choose furniture for the pet

A separate sleeping place is necessary not only for a good rest: having your own secluded area nourishes the dog’s self-confidence. Choosing soft dog beds, the owners are accustomed to be guided by the stylistic features of the interior and the appearance of the product, but this approach is fundamentally wrong - first of all, the four-legged family member should like them.

A high-quality and comfortable dog bed should serve even a very active pet for a long time, so you should pay special attention to the shape and key material when choosing: miniature animals, for example, use soft variations made of knitted texture, and large ones sewn from jeans with deck chairs with a side one side.

Ideal Model Criteria

Veterinarians cite 3 key factors that determine the appropriateness and convenience of products in each case.

The size

You should not take the model "for growth", believing that the beds for large dogs should simply be as large as possible. In fact, it’s enough to add 15 cm to the size of the pet - these are the optimal parameters for an improved litter. Beds for dogs of small breeds should be very compact at all, too spacious a “platform” will simply scare the animal, the pet will not sleep on it.

The form

When determining the priority form, one should be guided by the dog’s habits: if he likes to sleep long, curled up, a small rounded mattress will come in handy. If the dog likes to stretch out on its back, a rectangular product, equipped with low sides, will suit it. Many pets prefer forbidden master beds and sofas, not because of their harmful nature, but because they have a cold sleep on the floor - it’s worth picking up personal improvised furniture on a raised platform.

Material

The upholstery material should be reliable and pleasant for the dog, it is advisable to opt for natural fabrics. Beds for large dogs should be especially strong if they like to nibble everything that comes across to them. A significant plus will be the availability of removable covers.

Common lineup

In most pet stores you can find the following items:

• sunbeds framed by sides - they are often acquired if offspring are expected, or when elderly pets live in the house;
• rounded wicker baskets with a soft pillow inside - this is a comfortable berth and a protected area for miniature breeds;
• mattresses - the most common beds for large dogs, needing open space, preferring to relax, spreading their legs;
• folding models look like master beds; they will appeal to wayward pets.

Practical plastic variations occupy a special place - they are wear-resistant, will endure any pet manipulations, they are easy to wash, but it is difficult to call them convenient, here in any case you need a soft litter.

How to find the perfect “bed” for a pet?

A lounger for medium dogs or large dogs should be very comfortable, otherwise the pet, not at all embarrassed, will occupy the master's sofa.Representatives of large breeds favor their own furniture on a raised platform: they feel like family members if they do not sleep directly at floor level.

Beds for small dogs, as a rule, look very beautiful: they are neat and miniature, often resemble doll houses. Such darlings often need an enclosed space in which you can hide, literally leaving only the tip of the nose outside.

If you want to create!

This segment of pet products has high prices, and if the factory method of manufacture is not the most important selection criterion, the question of how to make a dog bed with your own hands comes to the fore.

Thousands of patterns and patterns are in common access, but if there is no sewing experience, you can make a comfortable rest area from a sweater that has outlived its own: cut the neck and sleeves, carefully fill with padding polyester or soft textile and sew the holes. From the sleeves filled with the same material, you can make borders and sew them around the perimeter. Such a product is suitable for a pet with a calm character who is not used to nibbling and sharpening claws on furniture.

The jeans product will be stronger. Each house has several pairs that can be easily recycled!

Polyurethane foam can be an excellent base (instead of the usual foam rubber), as it perfectly keeps its shape and adapts to the contours of the body, eases the load on the spine. The material used for the cover should not only be durable, but also easy to wash, it is advisable to sew at least two such products at a time, so as to often remove and wash. Ideal if the lounger itself does not absorb moisture - this way you can avoid the appearance of unpleasant odors in the apartment.

Children need to be explained that houses and wicker dog beds are not toys, that only pets can be in them. Animals should feel that this place belongs to them, that no one will encroach on it.

There is room for originality in this industry: some craftsmen adapt household items for puppy needs. In particular, for a small dog, you can empty the suitcase, equip it with a soft mattress and put it on a stable pedestal. In this case, you need to make sure that the lid could not accidentally slam. They also make beautiful sunbeds crocheted - they knit round multi-colored “cheesecakes” from large yarn.

If you don’t know where a tall wooden dog bed made in the shape of a bed would be appropriate, keep in mind the proximity of heating appliances and areas where drafts often occur. It is also undesirable to place a berth at the door leading to the porch or balcony. If you use a mattress or other low option, you can not place it in the bathroom, kitchen, corridor, where the floors are finished with ceramic or other tiles - it is too cold here, the animal can catch a cold.

Breeders share their experience: it is better to choose sun loungers that rise 8-10 cm above the floor. In this case, the pet is not in danger of excessive coolness, he will sleep “in bed”, like other family members.

It is always advisable to adhere to the place chosen by animals for rest - many dogs cannot adequately accept the movement of the mattress or the sudden change of interior, they refuse to use their own furniture if it was moved to another place.

Finally, one more advice from professionals: do not get hung up on the external performance of the sunbed, expect that for many years it will be as successful as it is now, fit into the interior. If the dog is happy to spend time in it, it means that at some point he will be chewed, slobbery, scratched, but the main thing is that the pet is comfortable in it!