Where Should I Make My Dog Sleep?

It may surprise you, but dogs have the potential for developing sleep deprivation. Beauty sleep is just as crucial for your furry friend as it is for you. On average, a dog should sleep for about twelve to fourteen hours a day to allow its body to recuperate. Although the sleep duration varies from breed to breed, dogs generally require extended sleep. Inadequate sleep can have disastrous effects on the health of dogs. Therefore, providing dogs with a comfortable resting space is vital to get much-needed rest. However, configuring where to make your dog sleep is not easy.

Configuring the Best Sleeping Place for Your Dog

Choosing the perfect sleeping spot requires a thorough consideration of several factors related to your preferences, characteristics, and available space.

Indoor vs. Outdoor

One of the first steps of configuring the sleeping place involves deciding whether your dog should sleep indoors or outdoors. Several pet owners prefer restricting their furry friend’s whereabouts to the kennel, most commonly present outdoors. However, it is deemed inhumane for pet owners to make their dogs sleep outdoors. 

Dogs, particularly domestic ones, are not adapted to the harsh environment and extreme weather conditions outdoors. Moreover, dogs are social animals and require the comfort of human presence even at night. 

Being a social animal, your dog would do anything to be around you all the time. Therefore, making it sleep inside your room seems a good choice. However, often the dog may interrupt your sleep by making noises or movements in the middle of the night. Therefore, the ultimate decision boils down to your comfort and your dog’s behavior. 

Where Can You Make Your Dog Sleep?

The next step involves configuring the sleeping arrangement.

Your Bed

It can be tempting to allow your dog to snuggle next to you in the bed. Co-sleeping helps in building a better bond with your pet. While it works well with several dogs, sleeping with your small and large-sized dogs is no less than a nightmare. There is a perpetual fear of rolling back on your small dog, and with larger adult dogs, there are space constraints. In either case, you are deprived of your comfortable, carefree sleep. Apart from that, there is a chance that your dog will leave hair, smell, and parasites on your bed. Therefore, allowing your dog to sleep in your bed is a doable yet not a practical solution. 

The Floor

A vast majority of pets can curl up and sleep on the floor in your bedroom and even your bathroom floor. It works well if your dog prefers sleeping near you but sharing the bed hinders your sleep. However, the floor sleeping arrangement is neither an appropriate arrangement nor a comfortable one for your dog. 

Dog Crate 

Dog crates are primarily used to train and keep the dogs in safe confines and prevent unfortunate occurrences when no one is around to supervise. Crates with soft bedding are one of the most sought-after sleeping options. It provides a designated space for a comfortable slumber. Moreover, it is also convenient to move the crate around the house. The only downside of using a crate is that the crate may create some noise as your canine shifts or moves during sleep. Larger dogs also find crates restrictive and hence uncomfortable.  

Dog Bed

Dog beds are specifically designed keeping in mind the comfort of your canines. While all dog beds are great, modern memory foam dog beds provide an excellent resting abode for your pooch. Although they are significantly expensive, they offer many benefits. Memory foam dog beds are comfortable and allow adequate space for stretching, shifting, and curling, along with providing support to the joints of your doggo. There is also no disturbing noise upon movement. Another great option for dog beds is an orthopedic dog bed. They offer support and relief for back and joint pain. This is especially helpful for senior dogs. 

Moreover, these beds help with anxiety as they pleasantly engulf your furry friend. Keeping in mind their benefits, they stand out among the available options.

Bottom Line

There are no hard and fast rules regarding where you should make your dog sleep, as the ultimate answer depends on several factors, including available space and your budget. The primary objective should be to keep your precious furry friend in comfort without forgoing your comfort.