What accessories for a dog to sleep with?
Sleep is a very important element for us to maintain health, and it's no different for our pets. We must provide not only an adequate amount of exercise but also peaceful sleep – what else regenerates strength better than a warm corner of one's own, with appropriate bedding for the dog?
What you should know about dog sleep
The question often arises: how much does a dog sleep? There isn't one answer. It depends on the dog, its age, and its daily activities. Larger breeds sleep significantly more than smaller dog breeds. Similarly, puppies need more sleep than adult dogs. Based on this, we can define the sleep duration, where adult dogs sleep 12-14 hours, and puppies and older dogs sleep 18-19 hours.
A key factor regulating proper sleep is physical activity. Dogs that are not very active often suffer from sleep disorders, even insomnia. Sleep helps reduce cortisol and adrenaline levels, which will reflect in the dog's behavior and health. During sleep, melatonin, responsible for the body's immunity, is also released.
In a sleeping dog, we can also distinguish sleep phases. The falling asleep phase is when the dog dozes off, its brain starts to work slower, but the body is still stimulated. The deep sleep phase can be observed through rapid eye movements and body tremors, but the dog may also make various sounds. For us, the REM (deep) phase accounts for 25% of sleep time; for dogs, it's only 10-12%.
Read also: What you should know when choosing dog clothing?
Is sleeping with your dog a good idea?
Many veterinarians agree on one thing – let's avoid sleeping with a dog in the same bed – it's a more comfortable and healthier solution for both us and the dog. Owners often complain about sleepless nights, which is confirmed by studies from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. We wake up in the middle of the night and it's uncomfortable, although only 10% claim this, and it certainly stems from… love for our pet. Dogs spreading out on the bed do not show dominance – they sleep with people they feel safe with. They simply want to be more comfortable.
Germs, and most dangerously, parasites, can be transferred to our bed when the dog jumps in with dirty paws or fur. What to do? Brush and bathe our dogs more often. Of course, we don't bathe them frequently, and after a walk, it's enough to wipe or simply wash their paws. Let's not forget about deworming either!
For us, sleeping with a dog doesn't seem bad, due to the love we have for our pups. I'm not innocent myself, as I like it when he snuggles on colder days, and during pregnancy, I felt safer with him nearby. It's not without reason that dog therapy was developed, which can even improve the owner's health. However, no matter how much I love him, he has his own bed next to me, which he knows he has to go to. In the evening, as always, he cuddles with me and my husband in bed, and after 5 minutes, he goes to his own spot. It's as if we've introduced an evening ritual with the dog – he's my third child after all :).
What does your dog's sleeping position say?
You find your dog sleeping in various positions, sweet and funny ones, but what could it mean?
- A dog sleeping on its side feels safe and comfortable. This way, it shows that it trusts us. In this position, the dog is in a deep sleep phase, all muscles are relaxed, and it wakes up rested and happy.
- Front and hind legs stretched out, looking like it's flying? The dog is napping, yet it's alert and will get up at any moment if an opportunity arises. Puppies most often sleep in this position, maintaining vigilance so nothing escapes their attention.
- If we see a dog curled up in a ball while sleeping, it feels insecure in its immediate surroundings. This way, it maintains body temperature and also protects its throat and other organs. We often see homeless dogs and wolves in this position, where their senses are sharpened to all external stimuli.
- A dog sleeping on its back is a sign that it feels extremely safe and relaxed. Confident and calm dogs sleep in this position. Interestingly, a wolf will never sleep in this position – it shows submission and is most vulnerable to injury.
- Hind legs tucked under the dog, and its head resting on outstretched front paws, like a sphinx – the dog is then dozing and can stand up at any moment at the next opportunity.
- Dogs that sleep on their stomachs are taking a short nap. We often see a dog like this after a walk, tired but still full of energy – a dog sleeping in such a position is full of vigor and ready for action.
Comfortable bed
A dog bed should be chosen carefully. It shouldn't be too small, so the dog doesn't feel uncomfortable, but also not too big, so it doesn't feel insecure in a vast space. It's best to measure the dog while it sleeps in various positions and choose the right size with the salesperson. They are made of different materials and mattresses, so the price really varies. When choosing a bed for my dog, I checked how it most often sleeps, where it likes to lie down, and it might sound absurd – but on which pillows it most often lay. This way, I knew how big the mattress had to be, what it was made of, and where it should be placed, so I knew the shape that perfectly fit the spot where it most often slept. The salesperson helped me with the rest – it's worth asking about everything so you don't have to look for another bed.
The funny Hot Dog dog bed is also very comfortable. Dogs of all sizes will find themselves at ease in it.
Dog toys - a dog is also a child
What doesn't one buy for a four-legged friend… Toys in my house for the dog grew with him, it seemed. Whatever I needed to ease him during teething and for a toy to massage his gums, or a trip to the lake required buying a frisbee that wouldn't sink, a lot of stuff passes through his things, but one thing remains constant – his favorite plush toy. I bought dog plush toys in abundance until finally, there was one unique one that constantly accompanies him every step of the way. He even shares it with the kids sometimes ;).
Generally, we should choose toys by looking at the dog's activity – mine mostly has things to throw and catch, my parents' dog has all sorts of frisbees, balls, so he can fetch and search in thick grass. It depends on what the dog does with you. There are so many types of toys, so you will surely find something for yourself and your pet.
Sleep is one of the most important elements of our proper functioning, along with a healthy lifestyle. Let's also take care of this in our pets, and they will surely repay us with a huge dose of positive energy and love.
