Do you need a heated dog bed for your little one? Imagine it’s the middle of Winter, and you keep your temperature down to save on heating costs. You don’t let your dog sleep in your bed with you, so how else will he stay warm and comfortable?
As temperatures begin to decline, many dog parents are looking for new and innovative ways to keep the pup warm during those chilly winter nights! You want to be ever conscious of your pets, just like your children.
Perhaps your ageing dog is beginning to suffer the effects of deteriorating joints and arthritis, something all dogs will suffer if they are lucky enough to reach an advanced age. What can you offer to help soothe those aching joints?
What is a Heated Dog Bed?
What exactly is a Heated Dog bed? Heated pet bedding helps provide the perfect level of warmth for your pup, without causing harm or any chance of overheating. Their orthopedic properties are perfect for elderly dogs and dogs that cool easily!
Some beds work by using a layer of insulation type material, making use of your pet’s own body heat to warm the animal’s sleeping area.
Some heated bedding can reach a maximum of 102* Fahrenheit, our dog’s natural body temperature. Dogs and cats actually run slightly warmer than humans.
Why Use a Heated Dog Bed
Why should you use one of these products, anyway? Won’t your dog’s fur be enough? There are other benefits to the warmth provided here past simple comfort!
It is Wintertime
Ensuring your dog is warm at night can seem tricky. Dogs don’t have hands and manipulating a simple blanket can be all but impossible for them.
How will your pup stay warm and comfy if the home temperature drops down at night? Many people like to turn the house heat down at night to save on that persistent bill, since they are comfortable beneath those covers.
Your Dog is Elderly
As your senior dog continues to age, his health will begin to gradually deteriorate. On a physiological level, his cells no longer duplicate at the pace they did when he was young, tissues no longer heal like they once did, and he is more susceptible to illness.
Like we said above, Osteoarthritis is extremely common in older dogs (and humans). The connective tissue around your dog’s joints will begin to deteriorate with age and use, leading to uncomfortable bone on bone friction.
Older dogs tend to suffer more frequent injuries in general. Did you know heat and warmth, when applied to an injury, can help limit inflammation?
Both a heated dog bed and an orthopedic dog bed are perfect for senior dogs!
Difficulty Regulating Body Temperature
Older dogs also tend to have a more difficult time regulating their body temperatures.
Most dogs will reach that senior stage in life between 7-10 years, with smaller dogs averaging an older rate. Not only are dogs more susceptible to arthritis and joint issues the older they are, but they can also develop circulatory issues in addition to temperature regulation difficulties.
Your Dog is a Hairless Breed
If you’re the proud owner of an adorable hairless Chinese Crested or sleek Peruvian Hairless, you know how susceptible these dogs are to the cold. They weren’t bred to endure cold climates, and don’t tolerate cold temperatures well.
The same holds true for many single coated, short-haired breeds. Think of the Basenji, an Ancient North African breed, or maybe a Saluki. Both are perfectly adapted to that type of hot climate but won’t tolerate persistent cold well.
Your Dog Suffers from Hip Dysplasia
Most of us remember what a “ball and socket” joint is! Well, dogs have ball and socket joints that make up their hips and elbows, just like we do.
For most of you readers out there, the ball and socket joint that makes up your hip works perfectly! Now, imagine the ball portion (the head of the femur) doesn’t quite fit in the socket (acetabulum of the pelvis) well, or the socket won’t fit around it well.
This is basically what Hip Dysplasia is, and where some pretty severe problems can arise. Not only does it cause instability, but it can also cause ligament and connective tissue damage, leading to arthritis and other medical concerns- along with a lot of inflammation and pain.
Your Dog Suffers from Any Injury Causing Inflammation
As most of us know, warmth and mild heat will help soothe inflamed areas of the body. By helping increase blood flow, heat can cause connective tissue (the cushioning between joints, ligaments, tendons, etc.) to become more flexible.
The buildup of fluid in the body tissues underneath the skin, causing swelling, is called edema. If you’ve ever bruised leading to swelling, you are seeing edema underneath your skin. A bruise is caused by damaged and leaking blood vessels underneath the skin.
Heat is believed to help limit fluid buildup within body tissues (edema). This can also help with the healing process!
Are self-warming Beds Safe?
Self-warming beds are said to be safer than their electric counterparts. Self-warming dog beds are thermal, allowing your pet to retain their current body temperature despite the ambient atmospheric temperature of his or her surroundings.
These beds use special fabrics that retain body heat or rather reflect that heat back inwards.
Yes, self-warming pet beds are safe!
Benefits of Thermal Dog Beds
These beds are often less expensive than electric dog beds! Why would you spend more for a potentially dangerous (see below) product anyway?
Thermal pet bedding is safer than electric dog bedding! This is a huge advantage, as you’ll see here. With any electrical wiring comes the possibility of a fire or electrical hazard. Even with chew resistant wiring, there is still a very minor risk.
These beds are especially helpful for breeds like:
- Chihuahuas
- Chinese Cresteds
- Basenjis
- Boston Terriers
- Dalmatians
- Any short-coated breed
Breeds like these can cool down quickly, leading to increased joint issues, illness, and other medical problems.
Thermal products not relying on electrical wiring also help save on heating costs.
Are Electric Dog Beds Safe?
Electric dog bedding is designed to function at a lower voltage, safe for pets. Even so, it’s still very important to always monitor your dog around electrical outlets and wiring!
This might not be a wise product to use with a teething puppy apt to chew or any dog that likes to chew up bedding, since they will expose those internal components.
Yes, there is always going to be a chance of electrical damage, or even fire, with frayed or torn electrical wiring. Care should be used with these products.
Though there will be some risks, electric dog beds are mostly safe if you’re cautious.
What are the Best Temperatures for Dogs?
Most dogs are normally pretty comfortable in a home running in the low to mid 70’s. Depending on the breed, this preferred temperature might be a little cooler.
As long as it doesn’t reach in the 100s and there is good ventilation & wind flow, even a double-coated breed would be ok in the 80s or 90s. A dog’s coat will trap in cool air, assuming he is a double-coated breed, which is one method of body temperature regulation.
Dogs perspire by way of panting, unlike us humans and our sweating. In order to perspire, they still need access to plenty of fluids. Make sure you always have fresh, cool water available!
Make sure your dog has plenty of shade if the heat index does rise that high.
For the Cold
What temperature is too cold for your dogs?
Most dog breeds (not all) will be ok until temperatures start to fall below 50* F. Older dogs and some short-coated dogs are a different issue, however.
Between 68* and 72* is believed to be perfect for our furry companions, just like it is for most of us!
Some northern breeds can endure extreme temperatures. You would probably know if you care for one of these breeds. Even the hardiest dog breed on earth is still susceptible to the elements and can still suffer cold-weather injuries from over-exposure!
Limiting that exposure is key!
Can I Use an Electric Blanket for my Dog?
You’ll want to be sure and always use a product designed for pets, especially when electricity and wiring is involved! The answer is no, you shouldn’t use a human electric blanket with your dog.
- Human heated blankets have internal wiring.
- Your heated blanket may cause your dog to overheat.
- Any dog that chews at the blanketing is at severe risk.
Only use an electric blanket with your dog if it was designed specifically for use with pets.
