6 Benefits of Elevated Dog Beds
Dogs spend approximately 12 hours a day sleeping! This is a significant portion of your pet’s time, so it’s essential to ensure your dog has a comfortable place to rest. Elevated dog beds are similar to a cot and can be an excellent option for your furry friend.
These beds are made of durable material stretched tightly over a sturdy bed frame. While the design is relatively simple, raised beds provide a wide variety of benefits for your dog.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the top 6 benefits of elevated dog beds. I’ll also discuss a few things you should know when setting up your dog’s new bed.
Top Benefits of Elevated Dog Beds
1. Easy Access for Aging Pups
As your dogs get older, they may have a more difficult time getting around. This is often due to age-related orthopedic conditions such as hip dysplasia and arthritis.
Because of these conditions, many older dogs struggle to get off the floor after a relaxing nap.
Luckily, elevated dog beds are an excellent solution for your dog’s mobility problems. Their height makes it much easier for your dog to transition from standing to lying down.
When it’s time to get up, your pet can easily roll off the bed to get back on their feet.
If you would like to provide your dog with some additional comfort for their aching joints, orthopedic cushions for raised beds are available.
2. Firm Support for Long-term Comfort
Have you ever woken up with a kink in your neck from a pillow that wasn’t providing enough support? This can also happen to your dog.
While fluffy dog beds may look comfy, they don’t always provide the support your dog needs. As a result, these beds can cause your pet various aches and pains.
Elevated beds provide firm, evenly distributed support to improve your pet’s long-term comfort.
Even when using an orthopedic cushion, the structure of the bed provides a firm foundation for your dog to rest. This will help keep your pet comfortable and reduce the risk of painful pressure points and muscle aches.
3. A Clean-Up Breeze
If your dog is constantly tracking in mud, keeping their bed clean can be a nightmare. Dirt becomes embedded in every nook and cranny, and removing it can be a time-consuming task.
With elevated dog beds, clean-up is a breeze. These beds are typically made with vinyl and nylon fabric, which are more durable and dirt resistant.
Their simple design makes it easy to wipe them down to remove excess hair and dirt as needed. Additionally, some raised beds can be hosed down for a more thorough cleaning.
4. Decreased Allergens for Sensitive Pups
Many dogs suffer from dust mite allergies. This condition can cause significant skin irritation and leave your pet feeling itchy and uncomfortable. Some pets require allergy medication and regular baths to keep their allergies under control.
However, decreasing your dog’s exposure to allergens is an essential part of any allergy treatment plan.
While some beds have removable covers for easy washing, dust mites can remain in the bed’s stuffing. For this reason, raised dogs beds are an excellent option for dogs with allergies.
The lack of stuffing eliminates the hard-to-reach hiding spots where dust mites tend to linger. The elevated surface also keeps your dog away from any dust mites hiding in your carpet or rug.
Keep in mind that you should still clean your dog’s elevated bed regularly to avoid triggering dog allergies.
5. Improved Ventilation to Keep Your Pet Cool
Has your dog been avoiding their bed when the weather heats up? Traditional beds can get hot and leave your pet searching for a cooler place to lay. However, raised dog beds provide improved ventilation that will help keep your pet cool.
The lack of stuffing reduces heat buildup and allows air to flow freely. Because the bed is elevated above the ground, air can also circulate underneath your pet. This will help keep your dog cool and comfortable even when the weather is hot.
Many large breed dogs like Labradors, Huskies, and German Shepherd dogs tend to run hot. They’ll even prefer to sleep on cold tile in the winter time! And since larger breeds tend to have it the worst when it comes to arthritis, elevated dog beds are perfect.
6. Sturdy Construction for Aggressive Chewers
Aggressive chewers can wreak havoc on traditional dog beds. It starts with a few casual nibbles, and before you know it, the bed is completely destroyed.
Not only can this be frustrating, but it can also be dangerous for your dog. Ingested bedding can cause life-threatening intestinal obstructions that require emergency veterinary care.
Luckily, elevated dog beds can be a safe alternative for aggressive chewers. These beds are made of durable materials that will hold up to even the most destructive dogs.
Additionally, these beds provide a comfortable place for your dog to rest without the need for a cushion or stuffing.
Some Helpful Tips for Elevated Dog Beds
If you are new to elevated dog beds, here are a few things you should keep in mind.
Pick An Appropriate Height
When selecting a raised dog bed, make sure the bed is an appropriate height for your pup. Your dog should be able to get on and off the bed easily. If your pet has to jump to reach the bed, the bed is too high.
Not only can this jumping put excess strain on your pet’s joints, but it can also put your pet at an increased risk of injury.
On the flip side, beds that are too low lack many of the benefits that elevated beds can provide. This can be a significant problem for dogs who struggle with mobility issues or orthopedic problems.
Pay Attention to Your Flooring
Elevated beds have a tendency to slip and slide across slick floors. This most commonly occurs when the bed is placed on a wood or tile surface.
When setting up your pet’s elevated bed, try to avoid slick flooring. You can also use nonstick pads to help keep the bed in place.
Conclusion
Elevated dog beds provide a wide range of benefits, including increased durability, improved cleanliness, and easy access for aging pets.
Remember that all dogs have their own bed preferences, and it may take your pet some time to adjust to their new setup.
I hope this article will give you something to consider when purchasing your next dog bed.
