Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
I know I have been a bit obsessed with sleeping lately, but did you know that adult dogs sleep between 12 to 14 hours a day? And according to the National Sleep Foundation, puppies sleep between 18 to 20 hours a day. So no wonder we love our beds.
Dog beds come in many different shapes and sizes and you will want to get one that fits your dog and his or her sleeping habits. Many places will tell you to measure your dog when they are sleeping - but let’s get real - do you want someone to do that to you? There will be a time when you will find us stretched out or curled up in our sleeping position when we are awake, so measure us then. If we are stretched out - measure us from the tip of our nose to our tail. If we normally sleep in a ball, measure the circumference of the space that we are using. This way you have an accurate measurement of the size bed that we need.
Now while some dogs prefer a couch style bed, I myself like one that I can burrow into. This one from www.marsunstudios.com is my favorite. It is soft, cozy and I can manipulate it into almost any type of den that I want. And my human likes it because it is machine washable.
Some dogs like a bed filled with cedar. A cedar bed smells nice and is flea and tick repellent but can be a bit lumpy. So be sure to buy one that has a combination filling.
My older dog friends, especially those with arthritis, will like an orthopedic bed. These beds have extra support, usually with some type of memory foam and a lower profile in order for a senior to have easy access. Some even come with heat!
Finally don’t become frustrated if you purchase a bed and we have no interest in it. We may even prefer under your bed than the brand new one you thought we would love. Sometimes “under the bed” is just like our own exclusive den. It is the perfect temperature, the carpeting under there is like new and it is a contained space. Just right for a quick nap! Especially if you are working from home in that room.
But if you want to make that bed more appealing, be sure to put your scent on it. It can be with an old tee shirt, sock, blanket or my silly human actually laid in it! Once it smells like you, we will love it!
Well, it’s about time for my nap - pleasant dreams!