So you’ve got yourself a new best friend, a dog companion that will be there for you until the end. Isn’t that great? Don’t you want to keep him around all the time, go for walks, have him snuggle you in bed…?
Hold the phone for a minute there, sparky.
Now, don’t get me wrong – my wife and I have been known to let my dogs sleep in bed with us from time to time, and sometimes it’s wonderful and they are just the best snugglers.
But sometimes you just need your own space, and sometimes so do they as well. Even if your dog plan to share space in your bed the majority of the time, it’s still vitally important that your best friend has his own bed for when he is not with you.
So I know you’re asking: why do dogs need a bed? Here are some reasons I’ve figured out since I’ve been a dog dad:
It’s safer for them to have their own space
Even if your dog sleeps with you in bed, when you leave to go to work (provided you don’t work at home, and honestly sometimes even if you do) it’s best for a dog to have a safe space that he can go to in order to be by himself.
Also, if you’re like me and you have a bed that sits up high, even if you have a ramp that helps your dog get up and down there is no guarantee he might not jump down in a fit of excitement and hurt himself. As someone who had to pay for back surgery for one of my babies, trust me – the safer your dog can be during the day, the better it is.
Not only that but even the best behaved dogs either might have an accident during the day (especially if you have a puppy) and/or may chew on items if they begin to feel anxious. It is much easier to leave them a chew toy in their bed than to worry about coming into your room later and seeing your expensive comforter or even a phone/lamp cord chewed up!
Having their own bed gives them a nest/place to feel comfortable
Somewhat related to the first point, despite being your best friend and your fur baby, a dog is still an animal. Specifically, dogs are pack/den animals, and in order to feel most secure and safe a dog needs his own space to make his own.
Just like some women like their Lady Lairs/She Sheds and men like their Man Caves, a dog needs his Dog Den where he can go to relieve stress and anxiety.
When a dog has his own bed, it becomes the place where he can always go and feel like he is in charge, and also it will make sure that your dog is less likely to sleep where you don’t want him to (and in so doing, it will keep him out of trouble).
When your dog has his own bed – and perhaps crate, blanket, etc. – he will be able to feel more safe and it will cut down on anxiety. Plus, since dogs tend to sleep much more than humans, having a nice bed that is specific to them and them alone is a great way to give them a place they always know they can go no matter what. This gives them another place to snuggle up and sleep…in addition to being by your side, that is!
Sleeping in a bed is healthier than sleeping on the floor
Some people like to let their dogs sleep on the floor so they can spread out and go wherever they want without restricting them to a specific bed/crate.
But the fact is, while that seems intuitive, dogs need a bed to help support their physical health as well as their mental health (i.e. anxiety). You wouldn’t want to sleep on the floor, would you? Neither does your dog!
A good, soft, durable dog bed (don’t forget durable, especially if you have a dog that loves to chew on things like mine do!) is not only a good place for a dog to go to claim as his den, but it will also help your dog’s long-term health.
As noted by the AKC, a good dog bed can do wonders for a dog’s joints, bones, and other physical ailments. Just like us humans, dogs can develop arthritis as they get older, and some dogs are prone to back issues and other issues such as hip dysplasia (I know my older dog has developed some of those traits, and his bed works wonders for him).
Just like a person might want to invest in more comfortable, memory-foam or similar mattresses as he or she gets older, a dog also needs a supportive, comfortable bed to help his aches and pains.
Sleeping on the floor does nothing to help your dog in this sense…and don’t you want the best for your best friend?
Your dog’s bed is easier to clean than your own bed
Let’s face it – we all love our dogs, but we know they can be dirty and stinky and can bring in unwanted grime after being outside. If your dog doesn’t have a set place to go to relax after potentially playing in the dirt or worse, they may track things around the house that you just don’t want all around your house!
As I have done with my dogs, if you get your dog a sturdy, reliable dog bed – preferably one with a removable cover that can be easily washed (and perhaps a second cover to use while you wash the first one) – it will be easier to keep any mud, fecal matter, or other surprises out of your own bed, all of your rugs, or any other places that you don’t want to find dirt and other grime.
If you do go this route, make sure you pick a bed that can be easily washed either by washing machine or by hand – that way, you can always know that if your dog gets dirty and you need to clean up the mess, he won’t have to wait around too long to get his man cave back!
So there you have it – just a few reasons why having a dog bed is a great investment for your best buddy. Hope this helped!