Not unlike people, dogs develop likes and dislikes when it comes to where and how they sleep. And gee whiz can they sleep! The amount of hours they sleep in a day will vary based on age, health, personality and breed.
So while it is typically agreed upon that on average most dogs sleep around 14 hours per day, larger breeds are known to sleep even more -- up to 16 or even 18 hours per day. As you might imagine, bigger dogs prefer large dog beds. The following tips from PetFrenzy are other things you may want to consider when choosing a bed for your large dog:
- Nesting dog beds, also known as bolster dog beds, are great for large dogs that enjoy resting with their head propped up on an armrest or pillow because they have raised cushions all around the edges (some square or rectangular beds have cushions on three sides only, similar to a living room couch). In addition, most dogs love the feeling of security they get from having "their back covered" by a high cushion. Some of our nesting beds for dogs can also be found in our cedar dog beds section because they contain cedar chips or shavings in the dog bed filling.
Please Note: When shopping for large dog beds, it's important to take note of the exact dimensions of the bed and then compare them to the exact size of your dog. Not all large dog beds are the same dimensions. (The manufacturers of dog beds also include weight recommendations but the dimensions are much more important to help you choose a bed that will accommodate your large dog.)
- Some large dogs are prone to joint problems or arthritis when they get older. If you live in a cold-climate region, we carry heated dog beds for big dogs that will provide extra comfort for your dog. We also offer memory foam dog beds in our therapedic dog beds section. On the other hand, if you live in a very hot climate, you might want to consider a dog cooling bed such as the Cool Bed III Pet Bed.
- If your dog sometimes sleeps outside, we have large dog beds that are water-resistant as well as 100% waterproof dog beds for sale. You can find all kinds of dog beds that can stand up to the elements at outdoor dog beds.
Several of our raised dog beds are plenty tough enough to withstand the elements and some can even thwart big-time chewers. (If you are searching high and low for dog beds for heavy chewers our Chew Proof Dog Beds section is your best bet.) These beds are raised up off the ground on sturdy frames made of steel, aluminum or commercial-grade PVC plastic. PVC plastic is practically indestructible, 100% waterproof and will never rust, and as an added bonus will likely thwart dogs who are aggressive chewers. These beds are sometimes called PVC dog beds or plastic dog beds.
- Some PetFrenzy large dog beds contain cedar chips to help prevent flea and tick infestation. Cedar chips also work as a natural odor control. However, some people, and even some dogs, are allergic to Cedar Dog Beds. It's a good idea to find out what type of filling is in a dog bed before you buy one.
- Even though they are big, most large dog beds can be easily transported, for example if you want to take your dog along on vacation with you.
- HELPFUL HINT: If you are travelling with your dog and intend to stay at a hotel or motel, be sure to find out two very important things. First, of course, you'll need to find out if the hotel/motel allows dogs...but don't stop there. Find out if there are weight restrictions because even though an establishment allows dogs, it is not uncommon to find that there is a maximum weight limit.
- If you are looking for unique dog beds or fancy dog beds, they can be hard to find for big dogs. Luxury dog beds, or designer dog beds, tend to be rather small dog beds and come in classic designs as well as trendy styles. Pink dog beds and animal prints such as leopard dog beds are all the rage. PetFrenzy searched high and low to find luxurious large dog beds to accommodate your big dog and we came up with some winners. Take a look at the Bowsers Contour Lounger Dog Bed or the Snoozer Overstuffed Luxury Sofa if you want to spoil your well-deserved dog.
Please Note: If your dog is a tough chewer you should not purchase any of our wooden dog beds. And also, no matter how tempting it might be, please do not purchase a bed that is not big enough for your dog. You and your dog would not be happy with a bed that is too small. It's important to take note of the exact dimensions (not just the weight recommendations) of any bed you are considering to buy and compare the size of the bed to the size of your dog. PetFrenzy provides exact dimensions on all of our dog beds for sale.
