Introduction to Heated Dog Beds
If you think winter is a difficult season to get through, how do you think your beloved canine friend feels seeing as they only have their fur to protect them from the biting cold. Even with heaters at home, the cold air can still manage to creep in and make your dog feel restless and uncomfortable. The best solution here would be with a heated dog bed.
Similar to the Japanese ‘kotatsu’ table design, a heated dog bed utilizes an internal heater to help keep your dog warm and comfortable even during the worst winter season. If you live in an area known for experiencing the worst winters, then I highly recommend you get your dog a heated bed. Why?
The Best Heated Dog Beds in 2018
Here are our picks for the best heated dog beds in 2018
Editors Pick: K&H Manufacturing Thermo-Snuggly Sleeper Heated Pet Bed
K&H Manufacturing’s Thermo-Snuggly is one of the best options available today for those who want to give their canine friend the absolute best comfort during the winter season. The Thermo-Snuggly is quite bulky as it measures at 5-inches high. It does make up for this bulky appearance with its extremely comfortable pillow and a nice 2-inch foam wall that surrounds the bed.
The exterior covers of the bed are removable and machine washable. The heater coil inside is also removable for a more thorough cleaning. The K&H Thermo-Snuggly comes in two sizes: Medium, which is 20 x 26-inches and the Large model which measures in at 24 x 31-inches.
K&H Thermo-Snuggly is a high-quality and durable heated dog bed which also does not skimp on providing optimum comfort for your canine companion. Dogs who have arthritis and other joint problems will find this bed quite soothing and will deliver a comfortable night’s rest during the winter season.
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Alternative Pick – American Kennel Club Thermal Houndstooth Self-Heating Memory Foam Bed
If you prefer a bed heater for a dog that does not require a power source then a self-heating dog bed is a good alternative. The American Kennel Club Thermal Houndstooth is one of the best in this category. It uses reflective foil which bounces back the dog’s body heat back to the surface of the bed.
The Thermal Houndstooth looks elegant and is made from quality material as well. The soft padding will always retain its original form thanks to its memory foam technology. This also gives it quite a long lifespan compared to dog beds that utilize standard foam.
It also uses bolstered edges which gives your dog a sense of security and can also act as a pillow for their heads. The bottom part features non-skid material to prevent the bed from sliding all over the place. This is a good feature to have if your dog has a habit of tiring itself out before hitting the sack.
As it does not use any heater coil, you can clean the Thermal Houndstooth via machine wash. You just need to clean it with cold water and then set the dryer to tumble dry. Overall, if you prefer not to use heater coils when it comes to keeping your dog warm, the self-heating American Kennel Club Thermal Houndstooth is as good a choice as they come.
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Best Heated Dog Bed for Indoor and Outdoor Use – K&H Pet Products Deluxe Lectro-Soft Outdoor Heated Bed with Bolster
The K&H Deluxe Lectro-Soft earns the distinction of being the only outdoor heated dog bed available in the market today. While it is marketed as an outdoor bed, you can still use it indoors if you wish. It uses a cord with steel-wraps for added protection and is 5.5-feet long.
Some owners have outdoor only dogs. This means they are more susceptible to the biting chill at night and during the winter season. In order to help make their sleep during the colder months more comfortable, the Deluxe Lectro-Soft heated bed is a perfect choice to get if you can afford it.
The design also features a bolster that surrounds the edges of the bed to help make your dog feel more secure. It utilizes internal thermostats that can heat up the bed surface to comfortable levels for your dog.
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Benefits of a Heated Dog Bed
Besides keeping your dog warm through the cold season, having a heated dog bed comes with additional benefits. For example, older dogs who are suffering from muscle and joint problems will find this warm bed quite comforting as it can help relieve the pain from these health conditions. The heated bed can also deliver benefits similar to that of a warm compress. Dogs nursing an injury will find heated beds significantly comfortable.
Puppies who tend to be restless at night can also benefit greatly from the calming effects of a heated bed. It is best to train your puppy early and give them their own sleeping quarters. Some puppies will get separation anxiety whenever they lose sight of their owners. In these occasions, training them to sleep in a heated bed will help calm them down faster.
Now that you know some of the benefits of having a heated dog bed, it is time to give you the important factors to consider when looking for one. Make sure you check the following factors below before deciding on a specific heated dog bed to guarantee you and your dog won’t be regretting your decision in the future.
Important Factors to Consider in a Heated Dog Bed
Before committing to a specific heated dog bed product, you must first ask yourself the following question:
Is this safe for my dog?
As this will be using a form of a heater installed inside the bed, it is important to make sure that all parts are well-constructed and utilizes the high-quality material. You can choose between cordless and corded versions of heated dog beds. Obviously, corded versions run certain risks. Make sure that the cords come with protectors to prevent your pet from chewing through the wires.
Some corded heated dog beds already come with protectors while some do not. If you wish to avoid that risk, you can opt for cordless heated dog beds. These are battery operated with some solar powered models also available. While cordless versions are more expensive, this also gives you a peace of mind that your dog is considerably safer.
The padding or mattress should also be made from the industry-grade material. Mattresses, over time, will start to flatten or sink into itself. This increases the dangers of your dog touching the heating coil. Make sure that the paddings are made to last for quite a long time and is designed to support a decent amount of weight.
Is the heated dog bed designed to accommodate your dog’s sleeping habits?
Some dogs like to curl into a ball while others tend to stretch their body while sleeping. Dogs who tend to stretch while asleep requires a larger bed. Take this into consideration when looking for a heated dog bed. The good news is that you can find dog beds that come in various shapes and sizes.
How easy is it to clean?
Obviously, there will come a time when you will need to clean the dog bed. Cleaning heated dog beds are a little more complicated to clean as you can’t just submerge them underwater. You need to be able to remove the heater coil easily from the bed. You should also go for polyester dog beds as they are significantly easier to clean than ones that use cotton fabrics.
What is your budget?
It is not always the smartest idea to go for the cheapest ones in the market. This holds true especially for products that use electricity and generate heat due to obvious safety concerns. Look for the best deal in town and always check their overall customer rating and feedback. However, expect high-end heated dog beds to offer the best quality experience overall.
Conclusion
Heated dog beds are great not only to keep your dog comfortable and warm at night, it also helps relieve chronic pain caused by joint problems like arthritis. For owners who have dogs that are already well within their ‘prime’ years, having a heated dog bed will help negate the stress from muscle and joint pains that will surely arise as the years go by. Keep your dog happy and comfortable through the harsh winter with the best heated dog beds.