Wait for a time when your dog is napping comfortably either in their old dog bed, on the floor or on the sofa. Try to only do this when you know they are lightly napping and not in a deep sleep. If they’re deep in sleep you could startle them.
Grab your measuring tape and approach your dog. Take a look to see if they are in their ‘normal’ sleeping position. For example, curled up or stretched out. If they are not in their normal position, wait until they are. Measure the length of your sleeping dog in centimetres. This may be from their nose to the tips of their feet if stretched out or the outside of their body if curled up.
Now that you have this measurement, you will use this to determine the size of your dog’s new bed.Please note: this is not guaranteed to find the perfect bed for your dog down to the last millimetre. It’s simply an equation you can use to make sure the bed is big enough for your pup.
- Take the measurement of your dog whilst sleeping and add 25cm.
- This new measurement will be roughly the size of bed you are searching for.
The style of bed is just as important as the size. We don’t mean what colour or pattern… The style considers the shape and support that the bed offers. Dogs sleep in different ways and because of this a different style bed will accommodate their needs.
The Doughnut
Named after the rounded sweet treat, The Doughnut is a common sleeping position amongst dogs. It involves the dog circling in one spot in an effort to ensure that they look as round as possible. It is a favourite of canines in cold weather and those who want to feel safe and protected.
Ideal bed:
- Round bed with side padding for them to curl up against.
- A square bed with high side padding or bolster sides for them to curl up in the corner.
- Some small breed Doughnuts may even be happier in a cat bed as it offers the ultimate curled up paradise.
- If your dog is a real snuggler, choose a bed slightly smaller than the recommended measurement.
The Superdog
We’ve all witnessed the Superdog sleeping position in all its glory. Just like the superhero soaring through the sky, this dog has both front and back paws stretched out as far as possible. They may be on their side or lying on their belly. Either way, the aim is to cover as much space as possible. It's clearly a position for those that are comfortable in their environment.
Ideal bed:
- Pillow bed large enough to accommodate stretched out limbs.
- A mat style bed is ideal if your Superdog likes to hang his head off the end of the bed.
The Belly Up
Possibly one of the funniest sleeping positions, the Belly Up is just how it sounds. The participating pooch will have their belly exposed for the world to see. Sleeping like this takes confidence since they are highly exposed. It’s also a favourite for dogs on hot summer days as they can cool down by letting air get to their belly.
Ideal bed:
- One with plenty of padding to support their spine.
- A trampoline bed would also suit as it allows them to ‘sink’ into the bed.
The Flip Side
Some dog owners only ever see one side of their dog whilst sleeping. The side sleeper will have legs flopped out and will lie on their side. Extra points are awarded if the dog can position their back up against something. This is a common position taken up by sleeping dogs as it is comfortable for deep sleep.
Ideal bed:
- A bed with side padding or bolsters is great for laying up against however it must be a generous size to accommodate all of the dogs body.
- Padded cushion/pillow style beds are also ideal as long as they have plenty of padding or support for the hips and shoulders as pressure is applied to those areas whilst sleeping.
