Why should your dog have a heated dog bed?

     

heated dog bed
 

Petsafe Heated Wellness Bed   

Isn’t that going a bit far in pampering your pet? Some people would say so. But an increasing number of dog owners  are thinking that their dog deserves the added comfort of a heated dog bed, not just that old basket with a thin blanket. There are some circumstances when a heated pet bed is a very good investment. 

  

 
 
 

If You Dog Is Getting Old Or Is Unwell

 

 Your pet may be  ageing or suffering from an illness or may have  aches and pains, due to arthritis or similar conditions. If your dog has reached that stage in its life, the nights can be made much more comfortable with a heated dog bed. If you want to make his life a little more comfortable this is somewthing which is well worth considering. 
 

  

     
 
 

Does Your Dog Sleep Somewhere Cold?

 

 Another situation in which a heated dog bed is useful is if you need to have your dog sleep somewhere which is cold. Maybe it normally sleeps in an outbuilding or kennel and is happy to do so, but in winter it may need some additional heat to keep it comfortable. Maybe you have more than one dog and they won’t sleep in the same room, and one needs a heated bed. 
Maybe, to stop chewing and scratching, you have decided the dog should sleep in the conservatory where there’s no carpet – they get cold at night even in summer but with a heated bed, they’re fine for the dog to sleep in. Remember – in the wild, dogs live in packs and sleep tumbled together for warmth – that’s not the same in most people’s homes! 

 

thermo pet throw

K&H 5052 Thermo-Pet Throw, Small 24 by 36 Inches, Rust & Cream

 
 
 

What To Look For In A Heated Dog Bed

 

Having made the decision to invest in a heated dog bed, what should you be looking for when you go online to price beds, or go looking at your pet store? 
First of all you need to ensure your dog’s safety, using what after all is an electrical device. That means you should always purchase a bed which works from a low voltage adaptor. That means that if the bed gets wet or damaged, there’s no danger of electric shock. Then, your dog needs to be comfortable. The best way to achieve this is to go for a bed which has proper orthopaedic foam, which molds to the shape of your dog’s body, instead of the dog having to just lay on the surface. Then think of cleanliness. The best beds have a removable acrylic or polyester cover which can be cleaned separately – much more convenient. 

    

 What other features are useful? Although it’s not essential, a thermostat to maintain an even temperature is best, otherwise the bed may get too warm to be comfortable in spring or fall.  

   

 
 

What Sort Of Price Will  a Heated Dog Bed Be?

 

You wil be looking at  around $50 for a decent bed for a smallish dog (or to use for a cat). Larger ones suitable for a big dog will run a little more. If you have a dog with significant health problems it may be worth looking at beds which have a specific therapeutic purpose. These normally have infra-red heating, and more sophisticated temperature controls, and are used by veterinarians. One of these will cost maybe $300, but for some dogs the expenditure will be well worth it.     

heated dog bed

K&H Thermo Oval Snuggly Sleeper, Medium 26 By 20 Inches, Sage