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[UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2022]
Are you looking for the best calming beds for dogs? You’ve come to the right place!
I have put together a detailed review of the 7 best, which will make choosing the right one for your dog a lot easier!
Not sure what a calming dog bed is?
No worries, we’ll answer that question in detail, along with specific features that make a dog bed calming.
Plus, find out how a calming dog bed can benefit your dog.
Let’s get to it!
Table of Contents
What Is A Calming Bed For Dogs?
A calming bed for dogs is typically donut-shaped, featuring a raised rim and a faux-fur shag exterior. The middle of the bed provides soft cushioned comfort, allowing your dog to nest. The raised rim provides your dog with a sense of security, while the soft faux-fur exterior provides warmth and comfort, mimicking that of a mother’s fur coat. All of these elements provide a calming and soothing feel to your dog, helping to ease anxiety.
6 Benefits Of Calming Beds For Dogs
The following are 6 benefits that your dog will enjoy:
1. Eases Anxiety
Are you wondering if there’s a dog bed that helps with anxiety? Yes, there is!
The shape and design of a calming dog bed work to ease your dog’s anxiety.
Its raised rim provides a sense of security, making your dog feel sheltered all around.
A calming dog bed activates your dog’s nervous system in a positive way, to make your dog relax and calm down faster.
According to dailypaws.com, one of the ways you can help ease your dog’s anxiety is to create a safe space for your dog.
A good idea is to place a calming bed in a nice quiet area of your home, so your dog can rest and relax.
2. More Restful Sleep
Because your dog will be calmer and more relaxed, your dog will be able to get a better quality of sleep and feel well-rested.
3. Soft And Comfortable
Calming beds are soft and comfortable, thanks to their shag-like faux-fur exterior.
Plus, their raised rim and soft cushioning in the middle, provide support and relief to your dog’s head, neck and joints.
4. Warm And Soothing
Calming beds are self-warming, meaning your dog’s own body heat is retained. This is thanks to the faux-fur exterior, which is meant to mimic a mother’s fur coat.
The warmth and softness are soothing to your dog.
5. Great For All Dogs
A calming bed is great for all dogs regardless of size and breed!
Even if your dog doesn’t suffer from anxiety, your dog can still enjoy the comfort of this type of bed.
6. Stylish Design
Calming beds are very stylish. They typically come in a variety of beautiful colours, ranging from fun and bright to soft neutral colours that are suitable for any decor.
Do Calming Beds For Dogs Really Work?
Calming beds can certainly help to ease your dog’s minor anxiety symptoms and many dog owners have used calming beds to do just that!
However, there have been no scientific studies to actually prove that calming beds work.
The design of a calming bed is meant to provide a sense of security, warmth, and soothing comfort.
Your dog will feel like he’s laying next to his mother or littermates, that’s because of the raised rim and faux fur.
Sleep alone can affect your dog’s anxiety levels, just like it does in humans. When we don’t get enough sleep, we end up being restless, anxious, and moody. The same is true for your dog.
Sometimes, the easiest solution to your dog’s anxiety is restful sleep, and a calming bed can certainly provide that.
If your dog suffers from severe anxiety, a calming bed alone won’t be the magic cure. But, it can certainly be a great addition to other treatment options.
A great way to find out if your dog is calm and relaxed while you are away, or to monitor your dog’s sleep behaviour is with the help of a dog activity monitor like FitBark.
What To Look For In A Calming Dog Bed?
Calming beds for dogs all have a few things in common, a soft plush exterior, and raised edges that surround your dog to make him feel safe and secure.
But, not all of these beds are created equal!
Here are some features to look out for:
Waterproof Design
A waterproof design is important, especially if you have a puppy or senior dog that is prone to accidents.
It is also a protection against any spills or messes. Accidents happen, and you want to protect your investment!
Machine-Washable
Many of the calming beds can be completely tossed into the washing machine and the dryer.
Keep in mind that the bigger the bed, the bigger the washing machine needed.
Removable Cover
Some beds feature an outer cover that can be removed by a zipper. This is very convenient especially if you don’t want to wash the entire bed.
Warranty
Some beds will come with a manufacturer’s warranty, which is very helpful to protect your investment.
Size
Calming beds are meant to surround your dog in plushy soft goodness.
If your dog likes to stretch out you will need to factor that in when choosing the right size, you’ll want to get a size larger.