Pets

A Guide to Dog Blankets: Keep Your Furry Friend Warm and Comfortable

September 6, 2022 — by Valeriya Vimon

Have you ever noticed how much your dog enjoys curling up next to your pillow or jumping on a floor-mounted pile of laundry? Dogs, just like humans, are creatures of comfort. So why not use a blanket to help your dog create their own space, a safe and cosy spot it can enjoy both the day and the night?

Do Dogs Need Blankets over Them?

blanket for dog
Source: istockphoto.com

If you’ve ever seen your dog shivering, there’s a likelihood your dog has been cold, needing some support to get warm. That can happen both indoors and outdoors, especially in colder months. Since there’s a chance for dogs to be chilly, regardless of their thick fur, the answer to the question if they need blankets is yes, and a pet blanket can do the trick with keeping them warm. Here are other reasons your dog may benefit from having a cover year-round.

It Helps Create a Sense of Security

Since they’re pack animals, dogs enjoy the security they get when they burrow into a cosy place. Giving your pup a calming dog blanket can help them create a den on the floor, in your bed at the feet, or inside a crate. If you’ve recently welcomed a new puppy or adopted a dog from a shelter, adding a soft blanket to their sleep space can help them adjust to their new home.

It Helps Them Regulate Body Temperature

Some dog owners who worry about their dogs being cold dress them in sweaters or jackets. But as dogs can’t remove clothes, they can get too warm. That makes a blanket a better choice. When they’re cold, dogs will burrow themselves under their blankets. If they get hot, they can push the blanket away. With such pet supplies, you don’t need to be concerned that your dog will become overheated.

Even though dogs have fur coats on all the time, some still get cold. Small dogs, puppies, and older animals frequently require extra warmth. Dogs with short or thin coats and skinny dogs enjoy cuddling up on blankets. Beagles, Boxers, Chihuahuas, French Bulldogs, Great Danes, Greyhounds, Poodles, Pugs, Shih Tzus, and Yorkshire Terriers are ten breeds thought to be a little bit more cold-blooded.

It Supports Their Nesting Instincts

dog bed
Source: pinterest.com

Your dog wants a place to call its own. Once your dog starts using the blanket, it will continue to smell like them, which will help them feel more at home. They quickly become aware that that’s their spot – the place where the blanket is.

It Becomes a Shelter from the Storm

Dogs typically fear loud noises, such as thunder and fireworks. Your dog may stay calmer if it can curl up in a favourite blanket.

It’s Comfort On-The-Go

When travelling, a blanket packs lighter than a dog bed. Additionally, it will keep your dog calm in unfamiliar settings like a hotel room or a friend’s home.

It Protects Your Furniture

Unlike most furniture, a blanket is simple to throw in the washing machine. Throw blankets over your sofa or couch to protect it from pet hair and muddy paw prints. It’s also an easy way to keep the playpen clean so it’s win-win for both of you!

How to Choose the Right Dog Blanket?

dog sleeping on a blanket
Source: pinterest.com

Finding the best pet blanket is not an easy task, but with some guidance you can find the model that best suits your dog’s needs as well as your own. The purchasing experience will be smoother if you consider what you need. While some blankets combine several features for a dog’s comfort, others only highlight a few.

Consider your pup blanket’s primary use. You probably want an option that covers your furniture while giving your dog a cosy place to sleep if your couch or bed is a magnet for dog hair. Or, if you’re worried about keeping spills and muddy paws off your furniture, you might want to think about getting a stylish blanket that’s waterproof and designed for dog hair loss.

For example, you might want a blanket to withstand moisture for a senior dog with incontinence issues. Or perhaps you want a blanket with self-warming capabilities to keep Fido warm on chilly winter nights. Another strategy for choosing the best dog blanket is to think about where you want to use it. For instance, a blanket intended for a couch, easy chair, or bed will be larger than one meant for a crate.

Maybe you want to focus on finding a blanket that will fit inside a crate. Fortunately, some extremely plush pet blankets for dogs are available in crate-appropriate sizes. Perhaps you want something particularly unique, like a custom pet dog blanket. If so, it’s best to find a sturdy design for comfort that you can also customise. A personalised blanket serves as both a memento and a handy item.

To Sum Up

dog blankets
Source: pinterest.com

Blankets are beneficial for all dogs. Dogs who are young, old, or ill require extra comfort. Small dogs, dogs with short hair, and dogs with a tendency to have colder blood need the added warmth. Dogs enjoy the comfort of their blanket, and blankets are excellent alternatives to dog beds. Considering your dog’s needs, the blanket’s main purpose and where you want to put it can help you find the ideal supply for your furry pal.