Taking care of your dogs is just like taking care of your family. By reading this article you will be able to attend to one of your pet’s basic needs – sleeping.

Sleeping

A pet owner should first understand that a pet's sleeping habits are largely instinctual. This means that a pet bed should duplicate your animal's natural habitat and should feel safe and unthreatened while sleeping.

Dogs are pack animals and are naturally accustomed to sleeping in close quarters with others. If you are going to buy a bed you should make sure that it is sized according to your pet's general proportions. Your pet should be able to stretch out completely and comfortably without hanging over the side of the bed.

You should also place your dog’s bed in a place away from human traffic and away from direct heating or cooling sources.

What are dog beds?

Dog beds give a comfy sleeping area for your pets; just like a mattress provides comfort and support for us. A typical pet bed elevates the animal above the floor, supports joints as well as provides a degree of warmth.

There are varieties of Pet bed models today in the market from simple foam-filled cushions to high-end sofas with heating and cooling elements. There are also pet beds that are filled with cedar chips to discourage flea growth and machine washable fabric covers which make cleaning the product easier.

Materials

Pet bed manufacturers usually use furniture materials like rattan, wicker and plastic in creating their pet bed products. Wicker or rattan pet beds are usually made into an oval or round basket and add cushion.

Oval or round designs are also applicable in plastics. Manufacturers make sure that the plastic they use is chew-resistant with no sharp edges. High end pet bed models may actually use stainless steel, which is relatively easy to keep clean.

Cushion

Pet bed’s cushion should be made from washable fabrics that are also resistant to scratching and chewing. Some dog beds' cushions use a polyester fiber or foam as filler. This provides more comfort to your pet but doesn’t restrain flea growth.

Some manufacturers use a zippered outer shell filled with cedar chips. Cedar chips discourage fleas from laying eggs and the cushion can be refilled with clean cedar chips periodically, but might not be as comfortable as foam pillows.

Heating and Cooling

There are also dog beds that have heating and cooling options. Extreme heat can affect some dog breeds and a pet bed with a cooling element will surely give them a great relief. Using a refrigerated or frozen gel pad placed inside the cushion of the pet bed is not recommended for puppies or dogs that have chewing issues.

On the other hand, heated pet bed cushions that use heated gel pad or other form can help aged dogs especially those with joint problems. Old dogs are also vulnerable to the effects of cold air and these kinds of pet bed warmers can really give them comfort.

The author is a pet lover and web copywriter connected to a company that provides a huge selection of dog beds , flea and tick products and other dog travel supplies at affordable rates.