Are you looking for an outdoor dog bed? Although I love my Labrador very much, I just couldn’t leave him inside the house for long periods of time. Rusty loves to topple everything he can, making it necessary for me to clean up after him when I get home from work. Since then, I decided to just let Rusty stay outside while I was at the office since I have a big yard anyway. In order to keep him comfortable, however, I decided to buy an outdoor bed to place on the porch. While shopping for this however, I realized that there is much more to just getting one of the rack. If you’re currently looking for a dog bed, here are some tips I learned along the way.
Waterproof Outdoor Dog Bed
Although I live in sunny Florida, a bit of rain is still expected every now and then. This is why I opted for a waterproof dog bed for the outdoors – just in case a light shower happens while I’m out. Waterproof beds are also easier to clean, which is great since my dog gets dirty a lot. This way, I don’t have to spend hours just prepping the bed for my Lab.
Be Size Specific
Rusty started small but like all Labs, he turned out to be a giant so I had to buy something that will accommodate his large frame. Luckily, there are lots of outdoor dog bed options today so I didn’t have a hard time finding something for him. Since he’s already fully grown, I didn’t have to anticipate a growth spurt. If your dog is still growing though, you might want to consider how big they will get in the future. This way, you wouldn’t have to buy another one later on as your dog ages. Typically, the best sized dog beds are where the pooch can fit in snugly and comfortably.
Outdoor Dog Bed Temperature Control
The nights can be chilly for your pet, especially during specific months. Although I wasn’t sure I’d need it, I decided to splurge a bit more on a temperature controlled doggy bed. One night, it got a bit chilly and Rusty still managed to sleep comfortably through the night.
Dog Proof
This might seem ironic, but the first beds I bought for Rusty when he was still a pup weren’t really dog proof. He chewed on them every chance he got and they wore down easily. This time, I chose material that could withstand the kind of abuse my dog loves to dish out.
Of course, those weren’t my only considerations. Price was in the equation as well since I was trying to work on a budget. The good news is that I was able to find something within my limit so everything went smoothly.
I got lucky on the Florida weather but taking the extra mile with precautions will really pay off in the long run. Your choice of outdoor dog bed should ultimately depend on your environment and the kind of dog you have.