Why Your Dog Deserves an Outdoor Dog Bed

Your dog stands loyally beside you, don’t they deserve a comfy place to lie down while you spend time together outside? So why does your dog deserve an outdoor dog bed? Two simple reasons: comfort and safety.

Keep your dog comfortable

You love to have a space to call your own - whether inside or out - and you tend to build a base of operations around your folding quad chair every time you open it. Well, guess what... your dog will do that too! Instead of plopping down in the grass or on the concrete, if you give him an outdoor bed he can call his own, you might prevent him from deciding the most comfortable place in the yard is in the hole he is going to dig. If he has a bed he loves, he's more likely to hang out in that "designated space" rather than roll around in the mud. It’s a win-win. You can take it a step further and get them an outdoor dog bed with a canopy, and keep them shaded as well as protected from the ground.

What an Outdoor Dog Bed Means for Your Dog's Safety

Of course, it’s not all about spoiling your dog, it’s also about keeping her safe.  We tend to think of dogs as tough animals who love to roll around in grass, prance around parks, and take naps pretty much anywhere they can find the space to lie down. However, the truth is that environmental factors such as grass and heat index can be harmful to your dog. Grass and hay allergies are a nuisance and much more common than you might think, (Signs Your Dog Has Allergies...), but hot temperatures can be incredibly dangerous. Most owners are well prepared with water for their panting pup, but an outdoor dog bed is a great way to give your dog a place to lie down without worrying about the temperature of the ground. 

Even if the air temperature is a breezy 77°, asphalt can get as hot as 125°! On hotter days, asphalt can become a scorching 143°, which is more than hot enough to fry an egg. You wouldn’t want your dog near a hot stove, so you certainly wouldn’t want her to lie down on ground that’s as hot as the stove’s burners! A simple way to test asphalt and concrete temperatures is to place the back of your hand on the ground. If you cannot keep your hand on the ground for a 5 full seconds without feeling discomfort, it’s too hot for your dog to walk or lay on. 

Because we are taking our pets with us outdoors during these hot summer months, cooling gel pet pads are an increasingly popular purchase.  While most of these are not thick, like a pillow, the gel cushions do provide support for your pup's joints and a soft, cool, comfortable surface to rest on... even on the hottest days!  These pads can be roll-up-thin, making them easy to transport to all your outdoor events. A quick internet search will pull up numerous style, size and price options.

Remember, your pet can’t tell you exactly what’s bothering them, so you have to be proactive. Pay attention to your dog’s behavior to ensure that they are happy and comfortable while outdoors. Most importantly, always make sure your dog is well hydrated and not over-exerted. Drink water, rest often, and have fun!