A Look At Discount Dog Beds
by Ken Marlborough
Many people want to make sure
their family pet has just the right bed, but might not be
willing to pay the (often quite hefty) price. It’s actually
more difficult to find designer and luxury dog beds especially
for oversized pets than it is to find discount dog beds for
average sized animals. If you’re not too fussy about the design
of the fabrics being used in the bed; if your dog is of average
size and weight; and if her sleeping habits are not too extreme
in the curling up or stretching out situations; you can
probably save a lot of money when
you purchase a dog bed that’s right for her.
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An Introduction to Dog
Beds
Ken Marlborough
Some people are so attached to
their pets that they wouldn’t
dream of asking them to simply
curl up on the floor to go to
sleep. Pet owners, especially
dog owners, have created an
industry for dog beds that
rivals the bedding industry for
humans in both creativity and
profit margins.
Just as dogs come in a variety
of sizes -- from toy Chihuahuas
that fit in the palm of your
hand to Great Danes who are
large enough to command most of
the back of that family SUV --
so do dog beds. The very first
designs for dog beds stressed
comfort and ease of cleaning
for the small, medium, large
and extra large pooch in your
life. Today there is a dizzying
array of options for dog beds.
There are dog beds designed to
look like real beds so the
lucky canine doesn’t feel left
out, dog beds designed to look
like real furniture, and dog
beds for that aging canine,
designed to accommodate his
creaking bones and stiff
joints. There are dog beds made
out of fabrics designed to
blend in with the décor of your
home and there are dog beds
that can accommodate a dog who
likes to stretch out while he
naps versus the type who
prefers to curl up into a
ball.
No longer is it sufficient to
simply walk into a pet store,
find a comfortable looking bed
for Rex, choose a color that
matches your décor, (or his)
and leave. Today you have to
take many factors into
consideration when making
decisions about your dog’s
sleeping quarters.
The first thing to think about
is where in the house you
intend to place the bed. Some
people put the dog’s bed in the
living room, so the dog has a
place to lounge other than the
family sofa. Other people put
the dog bed in their bedroom,
so the dog can be close without
needing to jump into their bed.
Some other things to consider
are the size of your pet, and
his sleeping habits.
There are also extras such as
eucalyptus treatments and cedar
filling (both to repel fleas),
foam filling for the comfort of
arthritic animals, and various
Velcro attachments. Washing and
cleaning are factors to take
into account as well, both in
terms of everyday wear and
because of the dirt incurred
from other uses for the bed
such as a carrier liner or car
seat protector. Gone are the
days when buying a dog bed was
simple and easy, but the
tradeoff is a truly
mind-boggling array of
options.
About the Author
Dog
Beds Info provides detailed
information about small and
large dog beds, as well as
designer, orthopedic, and
discount dog beds. Dog Beds
Info is the sister site of
Bird
Cages Web.
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To begin with, a lot of the more expensive bed-makers
change their designs just like clothing designers do for
people, if not quite as often. The changes do result in
closeouts and discontinued items being drastically marked down
at pet shops across the country and on the Internet. Then there
are the many pet supermarkets and discount retailers who carry
a variety of comfortable beds, in a variety of colors at prices
much reduced from the luxury beds available at upscale pet
shops.
Then there is always the option to go ahead and make your own
dog bed. If you’ve got any sewing ability at all, (and for the
most part, a dog bed is more about being comfortable and
durable than about looking great) you can produce an
average-sized, comfortable, washable dog bed for just a few
dollars worth of fabric and filler material. Cut a couple of
pieces of fabric – it can be from an old sheet, a shower
curtain, or a nice comfy old bathrobe – and sew them together
to make a pillow of the right size. Stuff it with filler
material and you have a comfy, simple dog bed. You may also
create a fancier dog bed with an upper ring by cutting a long
rectangle of fabric and creating a tubular pillow to go around
the edge. Then fasten the upper ring to the original base with
hand stitching.
You have just created a comfortable, washable bed for your dog
made with love by your own two hands using a piece of fabric
you’d probably throw away, some kind of filler material and a
little bit of your precious time. What better way to save money
and take care of your loving pet at the same time? You’ll enjoy
the process of making the bed just as much as your pet will
enjoy sleeping in it.
About the Author: Dog Beds provides detailed information
about small and large dog beds, as well as designer,
orthopedic, and discount dog beds. For more information go to
http://www.e-dogbeds.com and/or visit
its sister site at http://www.e-birdcages.com for related
information.
Source: www.isnare.com
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