It's a fact that dogs like to sleep...
a lot.
How much your dogs sleep depends on age, environment and amount of activities, but suffice it to say that dogs sleep more than we do.
Unlike their human counterparts who sleep for 8 or so hours at a time, dogs take lots of short naps throughout the day in addition to their nightly routine.
They'll wake up for food, exercise, to scare off the mailman, etc.
, and then fall right back asleep for another nap.
Wish I could say the same for me.
Research estimates that dogs spend as little as 10% of their sleeping time in REM sleep, the deep sleep stage where dreaming occurs.
To compare, humans spend 20-25% of their sleep time in REM sleep.
Why the difference? Dogs sleep in shorter bursts, so they're less likely to reach that deep sleep stage.
Because they don't get as much deep sleep, dogs may to sleep more overall to get enough rest.
Once you total it all up, dogs typically sleep anywhere from 12 to 18 hours a day.
That's a lot of time in the Downward Facing Dog position! So why shouldn't they have a comfy, warm and healthy bed for them to rest in as we do.
There are a couple of ways you can approach this.
You can offer them a crate to call their very own or they can have their own special bed to dream of chasing squirrels around (my dog's dream of choice!).
Dogs are den animals by nature.
They want their own sanctuary that is just large enough for them to fit inside and feel secure.
That's why many dogs like their crate long after potty-training is over.
It's their home within their home, their own little house of dreams.
There are so many varieties of things to choose from these days, you're sure to make Fido feel like Top Dog without jeopardizing your homes stunning décor.
There are many gorgeous crate covers with matching interior mattresses you might consider.
They come in an endless array of fabric choices and many different mattress styles to ensure you both will find something to love.
These crate covers have panels that can be pulled open during the day so the sun can shine in or you can draw the shades at night when he's dog tired.
While these wonderful Crate Covers hide the glaring institutional looking fugliness of a wire crate, they also compliment your home décor.
They let people know you're a loving pet owner as well an intelligent interior decorator.
If your dog isn't a den dweller, then a bed to call his own is a must.
Did you know even dog beds offer the latest in memory foam technology to provide the ultimate in comfort in a dog's bed.
But not all bed are made alike, so make sure to find out what they're made of.
They are a little pricey but well worth it.
As they say, you get what you pay for.
There is also a wide range of styles available too.
Is your dog an older or arthritic dog and does he require extra support in his mattress.
If so, they make beds with that in mind.
I'm "dogged" with arthritis and without my memory foam mattress; I'm hurtin' for certain the next day.
I almost dread sleeping away from home because of that.
But remember, he is your best friend with endless and unconditional love, so choose his bed accordingly.
And a final option to consider, a bed (for cats or dogs) that has heat built in! It's like a bed with a heating pad on low built in.
Now that's cool! This might be a great choice for an older pet or for a smaller pet.
These also come in many shapes and sizes.
As your pets owner, no one know them better than you, so put a little time into choosing which sleeping arrangement is best suited for them.
They will no doubt Thank you for it! Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite!