Dog Beds and Healthy Pets
I bet it wouldn’t surprise you to know that dogs sleep on average more than half of their life. On average a dog gets 16 hours of sleep, that’s twice the human average. So getting the right sleep environment is very important for his health.
Your dog may seem pretty indifferent about the places he curls up for a nap, but that may not be the best thing for his health. As dogs age, their bodies become subject to the same if not worse, arthritic and worn out conditions that ours do. The construction of the dog body added to the active playful habits of most species puts a large amount of strain on the joints, bones and cartilage in a dogs back and legs.
Combining the knowledge of long sleep hours and fragile construction places a high importance on making the environment your dog sleeps in essential to healthy living. In today’s pet market, there are many great options for you to choose from for dog comfort. There are designer dog beds, orthopedic dog beds, cushioned dog mats and even dog couches for those looking to pamper.
There are a few things to consider when choosing the right sleeping option for your pet.
- Will your dog sleep anywhere except your bed. Your husband or wife will be very happy to get the middle of the bed back if you can pull it off, but make sure you are willing to give up the winter heat savings before you buy that dog bed. If your dog is not trainable you may have a hard time getting him used to sleeping somewhere new.
- The age and overall health of the dog may affect your choice. Orthopedic dog beds have been created with the same sleep technology used in our beds helping give more support and comfort to dogs with arthritic and aging bones and joints.
- Is your dog an indoor or outdoor pet? Maybe he is both. There are beds specifically made of weather resistant durable materials to provide dry comfortable sleep in all conditions.
- Your budget is always a concern when investments are concerned and choosing a great bed for your dog is a investment in your dogs health and longevity. Make sure you take the time to think about the importance of where your dog spends half of its life. I myself spend half of mine in front of my PC. And you can bet I sit on a pretty comfortable chair.
- Last but not least is the size of the bed you are looking for. A dog’s bed should be slightly larger than the dog when he is laid out in a full stretch position. This will guarantee that no matter what position you dog sleeps in, it will always be getting the proper support.
We all wish we could have our favorite pets for a lifetime, perhaps providing a great sleeping environment for them helps us get a little closer to that dream.