Dog bed - does your dog need a heated dog bed?

Narrated from: Dog Beds

Many dog owners would consider a heated dog bed to be an unnecessary trifle with no practical purpose whatsoever.

However, that is not the case – many dogs need heated beds, and one day your dog might need one too.

Ordinarily, a dog shouldn’t need a heated bed – after all, most dog breeds have sufficient coats of their own. However, there are some situations when you, as a responsible dog owner, should consider getting a heated dog bed.

1. Climate and breed.

Dogs are usually adapted to certain weather conditions. If you live in an area with cold winters, you should consider your dog’s breed. An Alaskan Malamute or a Husky would have no practical need of a heated bed – such dogs are bred for cold climate and there wouldn’t be a problem even if you leave them outside. However, you may have preference for other dog breeds – and you should pause and consider whether your dog is tolerant to a cold climate!

A Chihuahua, for instance, is not well suited to a cold climate. Actually, many small dog breeds feel bad in cold weather. This is because they have a higher skin/mass proportion and lose body heat very fast. So, if you want to keep your beloved companion happy, you should consider a heated bed – such beds could be installed in an outside kennel, or used in the house.
However, some large dog breeds also aren’t suited for cold weather – and a heated bed would ease their discomfort.

2. A long trip north.

Sometimes you may want to go on a vacation, or on a business trip, and take your dog with you. Might be you want to have the whole family together, or simply cannot leave Rover alone with strangers. If you are headed north, you would want to keep the dog warm, especially if the dog is used to a warmer climate. You might just wrap the dog in blankets or keep the heating on constantly – still, there is an easier solution, and that is a heated dog bed. There are special models designed specifically for SUVs.

3. Aging dogs – a heated bed is a must.

We all love our canine companions and seeing them age brings much grief. Dogs have a shorter lifespan than humans and sooner or later, your companion will start to feel the discomforts of old age. When this time comes, a heated bed will make the dog far more comfortable. There are special orthopedic thermal beds that would ease your faithful companion.

Many of the dog breeds that are considered “working breeds” – like the Alaskan Malamute which would normally disdain a heated bed – experience joint problems when they age. Heated beds make an arthritic dog’s pains more tolerable, and bring comfort.

4. Medical conditions.

Unfortunately there are health problems like arthritis that could affect your dog at even a young age. When such a problem occurs, the best thing you could do is ease the dog’s pain in any way possible – but not by putting the dog out of course! You should consult your vet regarding a sick dog’s problems, but generally, heated beds are good for all problems connected with the joints.

5. What to look for in a heated bed

Well, basically you should just look for a reliable provider and sort out the specifics of your case. You must remember that if your dog sleeps in an outside kennel, you will need a special bed with a weather-resistant heater. The bed should provide a temperature that is 12 to 15 degrees warmer than the ambient air temperature – some beds can be heated up to 102 degrees, but that is not always desirable. Also, a quality dog bed will be heated evenly over the whole surface – not just in one spot!

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