Does Your Dog Really Need a Bed?

We know the feeling of laying in our nice comfy bed after a long day. We also know how important a good mattress is to our sleep and bodies for the next day. Many dogs seem to prefer sleeping on the floor or a hard surface, it makes us wonder: do dogs need a dog bed?

Does Your Dog Need a Dog Bed?

Truly though, sleeping on a hard surface is not healthy for puppies or adult dogs. But do dogs need a dog bed? Like us, a hard or even too soft surface is not good for them. Their fast growing bodies need the cushion and support of a bed or they may have problems with their bones and joints.

A dog in the wild will make a hole with leaves for a soft surface or find a soft patch of grass to sleep in, and our pet dogs need the softness too. A dog bed in their crate or in the home is needed, especially for breeds that are more at risk for joint problems and hip dysplasia.

Training your dog to sleep in a dog bed from the puppy stage helps create good habits. Most dogs prefer their own area to sleep in. Rescue dogs usually want to have their own space until they feel comfortable and safe in their new home. Also, dogs that have been hurt or just had surgery may also prefer their own place, as it helps them feel more secure and safe.

Starting out correctly when they are younger will help their physical health in their old age.

Which Dogs Need a Dog Bed Most?

• Sighthounds: Greyhounds and other similar breeds with low body fat and thin fur especially benefit from cushioning to not lay on a hard surface. They may get pressure sores on their skin from the hard ground or have joint issues.
• German Shepherds: These dogs are more likely to have hip dysplasia and develop arthritis.
• Great Danes: This breed really is great - but they are likely to have arthritis as they age, so good joint care lifelong is important, and a dog bed is an important part of their joint care.
• Beagles: As a thin fur dog, these pups are also more likely to have pressure sores on their skin if they regularly lay on a hard surface.

What are the Benefits of a Dog Bed?

All dogs need a comfortable dog bed, especially puppies and older dogs, and not to lay down on hard surfaces such as the floor. Puppies grow so quickly that the sleeping surface sets them up to have better bones and joints when they are older. Dogs with thinner fur and dogs with less natural body fat are likely to develop painful pressure sores from sleeping on a hard floor.

If your dog is prone to pressure sores, help their skin to be at its best with our BestLife4Pets Healthy Skin & Coat. It is formulated to help clear up sores and skin rashes, and to help with itching, regrowing patchy hair loss, and help heal and prevent raw or rough dry skin.

For older dogs, sleeping on a hard surface could be painful if they have arthritis and joint problems. For older dogs especially, an investment into a good orthopedic dog bed can be worth the price of your pet’s comfort.

If your dog is in a lot of joint pain or has chronic arthritis, our BestLife4Pets WALK-EASY Hip & Joint Pain Relief for Dogs and Cats helps with joint stiffness, reduces pain & inflammation, and speeds up healing from injuries. WALK-EASY Joint and Hip Pain Relief is a homeopathic natural plant anti-inflammatory and pain relief remedy that helps dogs with long lasting relief for all kinds of joint pain; or, for extra help, try WALK-EASY Extra Strength.

How to Choose a Bed for Your Dog

Choosing a bed depends on your dog, their needs, and what they like best. There are many different styles of beds that may help your furry friend, depending on their needs or lifestyle:

• Chew-proof beds (especially useful for puppies)
• Indoor and outdoor beds
• Heated beds
• Travel or car beds
• Orthopedic beds for the older dog.

Orthopedic dog beds, in particular, cushion and support the joints of sick, injured, or older pets with arthritis - they help ease the pain of achy joints, and the stiff foam makes it easier for senior dogs to get up after laying down. All these beds can be moved to any room so your dog can always be near you and part of the family even when they are just resting or if they can’t move as much anymore.

Look for a good quality memory foam orthopedic dog bed - these may be expensive, but they will give your furry friend the same health benefits that people enjoy on a memory foam mattress.

So the answer to the question, “do dogs need a dog bed?” is definitely yes! Whichever bed you choose, the most important thing to do is make sure the bed is big enough for your dog. Even if it’s a perfect fit for your house and matches your decor, if your dog cannot lay down in it, it won’t be used. Take the time to find the perfect bed for your best friend! 
​