Are "flat mat" dog beds good enough as a place to sleep for my dog?
If you have ever been to a pet store or shopped
online for dog beds, you have no doubt come across hundreds of different
varieties. There are over a dozen different types of dog beds and
exponentially more designs available, many of which are very fancy and are
not only ideally designed to look good in your household, but are also
softer than even you own mattress.
But if you look at the lowest price dog beds –
indeed, if you look for what is basically considered a “dog bed” – you will
find that most dog beds are nothing more than mildly stuffed mats, only an
inch or two high, often with some sort of fuzzy material on top. For those
that are considering this option, the question remains: Are basic mat dog
beds good enough for your dog?
Benefits of Flat Mat Dog Beds
Despite their bland, unexciting, and generally
uncomfortable appearance, flat mat dog beds still have a variety of
benefits. Some of these benefits include:
·
Lower Cost – These beds are rarely more
than $30, depending on the brand and size.
·
Easier to Clean – Most of these mats
can simply have their exterior washed.
·
Same Basic Benefits – Dogs that sleep
on these mats are still kept free of debris and keep their own dog hair off
of the furniture.
·
Still Comfortable – Dogs have bodies
that are prepared to sleep outside on dirt. A slightly cushioned mat is
still going to be very comfortable.
Weaknesses of Flat Mat Dog Beds
Though there are clearly many positives to these
types of dog beds, there are also some negatives that make them not ideal
for everyone. Some of these weaknesses include:
·
Less Durable – Often times these
cheaper mats are made of less durable materials.
·
Worse Designs – These mats are not the
most pleasing things to look at in the home.
·
No Extras – These types of basic mats
are not quite as gentle on joints and bones.
·
Not as Soft – Though they are soft
enough for most dogs, that in no way implies they could not be more
comfortable.
Overall Thoughts
Whether or not you want to get a flat mat pet bed
is up to both you and your pet. A mat pet bed is more than adequate. It is
still more comfortable than the floor, keeps dirt from making your dog’s
sleep uncomfortable, and reduces the amount of hair that your dog will get
around the house.
On the other hand, they are not very aesthetically
pleasing, not as soft, and do not always last as long as you would like,
depending on how much your dog chews. As a result, it could go either way.
For some people the mat will be fine, especially if you are on a budget – it
is not only better than nothing, it is a perfectly acceptable bed. But if
you do have some extra cash to spend, you may want to get a nicer dog bed.
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