I Need a Long Lasting Waterproof Mattress Dog Bed.

Simple and Easy.

There is no doubt that dogs in general prefer a draught excluding dog bed like a Tuffies nest. However, the simplest dog bed is clearly a simple mattress type pillow. This is especially desirable in the cooler summer, but it is also very relevant for muddy dogs in winter. If you have a dog that loves muddy walks and if you, like many, have a boot room, it’s great. With such a boot room, preferably heated, your dog can dry out before he comes in to the house. While he dries out he MUST have a great dog bed. A waterproof mattress type dog bed is ideal. 

The All Important Stuffing.

Many dog beds come with an inferior stuffing. It looks great in the shop: Fluffy and soft and puffy so the dog is sinking in deep. But after a short time the stuffing starts to clump and move around inside the bed. The bed goes flat and lumpy and although your dog still lies on it, it is well past good use after just a few months. Therefore it is crucial that you know what the stuffing is and how it works. If you find that the stuffing is loose, then don’t buy the bed. What you are looking for is a mattress type stuffing that is coherent and not in bits. The best type is an orthopaedic dog bed mattress that will support your dog and give great insulation from the floor. The best dog beds are not cheap and you pay for good quality. Equally, you will have a good dog bed for years, not months. So for that reason a good bed at a higher price is still cheaper in the long run.

The Cover Should be Tough.

Dogs spend a huge amount of time on their dog beds, so wear and tear is an issue. As above, the stuffing needs to withstand extensive use, but so does the cover. A cover that is 1000 Denier ballistic Nylon with a polyurethane coating will give you a very good dog bed indeed. The Nylon will ensure that if a dog with sharp claws is spending time digging, he will not rip the cover. This is important because most dogs dig their dog beds from time to time. It is just a comfort thing that is built in to their instincts, but they can quickly ruin a cheap dog bed. The Nylon will last for years. A polyester cover will not last the same length of time. 

Waterproof coating.

The polyurethane is perfect because it doesn’t crack. If you buy a dog bed with a PVC coating it will go brittle after a short time and start to break up. If you try and wash a dog bed like that, it will leak and get wet inside. Always go for a polyurethane coating on the back side of the fabric.

Waterproof or Water Resistant?

Many cheap dog beds will claim that they are waterproof, but with a bit of inspection it turns out that it is only claimed that it is water resistant. This will quickly cause a problem: A horse rug is good if it is breathable and water resistant because it just sits on top of the horse without any pressure. However, a dog bed will leak because a heavy wet dog will be LYING on the bed and force the water through the fabric. This means that in time the dog bed will get wet inside and hence it is not insulating. It becomes a clammy, cold bed. ALWAYS choose a 100% waterproof dog bed.