Ideas for Dog Beds
Animals enjoy many of the same creature comforts as humans, including a warm, soft, cozy place to sleep. Coming up with creative ideas for dog beds can help you provide a comfortable sleeping place for your furry friend, as well as keep them from getting onto "people furniture" and shedding or possibly chewing and scratching fine furniture. In developing ideas for dog beds, consider size, cost, comfort and perhaps most important -- easy cleaning.
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Commercially Made Dog Beds
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You can find a variety of ideas for dog beds at pet stores, pet supply outlets, big box retailers and in outdoor living and sporting catalogs and websites. Dog beds come in a range of sizes, colors and patterns, and many provide special features for different kinds of dogs. For example, dog beds made for older dogs have specially-designed padding and heating elements to cushion and warm arthritic bones; beds for heavy-shedding breeds feature easy-to-clean fabrics with elaborate designs to hide fur; beds designed for puppies often feature chew-resistant fabrics; and specialty beds made for tiny and toy breeds can often convert to a carrying case for easy transportation.
DIY Dog Beds
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If you have a creative streak, you can make your own dog bed with materials found in fabric stores and home improvement centers. Good fabrics include heavy-weight upholstery material, indoor-outdoor material and canvas. Simple beds can be constructed by machine sewing three edges of a doubled-over fabric with a heavy-duty double zig-zag stitch and adding a zipper to the fourth side to allow for easy cleaning. Good stuffing for dog beds include cotton batting and foam . For outside beds, hay or straw can make a good filling as well.
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Faux Sheepskin Beds
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Many cold weather dogs, like Labrador Retrievers, can become overheated in warm, fluffy beds, but they still enjoy a soft padded place to sleep. You can create simple sleeping mats using faux sheepskin. These thin beds are easy to launder and easy to transport.
Non-traditional Dog Bedding
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There's no rule that says you have to buy or make a dog bed for it to be a good, comfortable sleeping place. In fact, many household items can be repurposed into perfectly suitable dog beds. Consider layering old sheets, towels and comforters, or using discarded couch cushions, clean bath mats and rugs or baby crib mattresses.
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References
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