Heated Dog Bed

Not only are humans subject to aging, dogs feel the pains of aging as well. This makes a heated dog bed a necessity rather than a luxury item. In addition to just being a nice thing to have for your dog, the health benefits associated with these beds are a good reason to include their use as part of your routine health care for your pet.

There are plenty of old school believers out there whose opinion is that a dog is a dog – at best a working piece of stock; at worst, a tolerable nuisance. Fortunately, more enlightened minds have prevailed and the majority of pet owners wish to protect and preserve their dog's health and welfare. The reasons for getting your pet a heated dog bed extend beyond mere pampering, but include therapeutic benefits as well.

• For many breeds, especially the large breeds, working class breeds and fine-boned racing dogs, joint and hip problems surface as they age. Heated dog beds help ease the ache of arthritis and lessen the stiffening that an aging dog experiences. Just as a warm heating pad helps a human, a dog will be able to benefit from the heat because it relaxes muscles, joints and ligaments.

• For puppies, smaller dogs and hairless dogs, a heated bed provides them with the necessary warmth they would get if they were resting beside other dogs in a litter or pack situation. It is necessary for these dogs to get warmth that they cannot get on a consistent basis from their natural environment.

• For the dog who displays anti-social behavior, a heated bed can serve as part of a crate or area that the dog can escape to in lieu of a den. It can help provide psychological comfort and a feeling of security. It provides another reason for a dog to retreat or be moved to a situation where it can derive comfort and feel in control.

K & H Pet Products is one of the top manufacturers of heated dog beds. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, K & H makes many different varieties and styles from a simple pad, to large pillows and outdoor, weather resistant beds. All their beds come with a one to two year warranty, and prices range between $30.00 and $300.00.

A hunt on the web turns up a group of respective sites such as Dog.com where K & H dog beds can be purchased for up to 25 percent off.

Other manufacturer's sites to try include the following:

• Doctors Foster and Smith.com

• Petsafe.com

These manufacturer's heated dog beds can also be found in stores on and off line for discounted prices.

• How do heated dog beds work?

Some work with the dog's natural body warmth interacting with a simple reflective surface. Some use packs that can be heated in a microwave and slipped inside a specially designed cover. More advanced beds have aelectric wires (well padded and hidden in the design) that deliver low-level heat and have a control much like a human electric blanket. The Dolce Vita Combo Heating and Cooling Dog Bed® has a control that can switch the temperature from hot to cold.

• Can a heated dog bed burn my dog?

The answer is no. The electric controlled beds are meant to shut off at 102° F, the natural temperature for most dogs. Extremely low wattage is used.

• Can my dog chew through the bed and hurt himself?

It is true that some dogs can chew through anything and will do so for reasons only known to the dog. Check and make sure the bed you buy comes with a heater that is removable, and that any voltage wiring is positioned in the bed to be undetectable by feel, at least to a dog.

• Is there a downside to getting a heated bed for my dog?

Actually, no there is not a downside, unless you count trying to get the dog off it, or the potential territory fights your cat and dog might have over using it!

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