As a four-legged member of your family, you naturally want your dog to have the best of everything — and that includes the very best dog bed. If your dog adores his bed but the filling is starting to become compressed, lumpy, or otherwise uncomfortable, purchasing replacement dog bed filling can help to revitalize that bed so your dog can continue to enjoy it. Depending on the design of the bed, replacing the interior filling is often possible, and it can save you money over the cost of buying a new bed, too.
But stuffing for dog beds isn’t always made the same, and fillings made of different materials offer different advantages and disadvantages. When choosing the right dog bed stuffing replacement, you’ll need to consider a number of factors to decide just what’s best for your dog.
Replacement Dog Bed Filling: Not One Size Fits All
Dog bed filling is designed to provide comfort and cushion, but different types of filling do that in different ways.
- Polyester fiberfill is highly affordable and hypoallergenic, making it ideal for dogs who have allergies. It’s washable and lightweight, but isn’t highly durable and will need to be replaced after being washed a few times. While polyester fiber offers sufficient support for smaller dogs, it can be compressed by larger dogs and doesn’t offer ideal support for large breeds. It does have insulation properties, though, so it can make for a cozy bed.
- Cedar shavings are sometimes used as dog bedding, but there are pros and cons to this. Cedar helps to repel fleas, which is a definite benefit, but it can also irritate dogs with sensitive noses and may be overwhelming when a dog bed is in your home. You might choose to blend some cedar shavings in with a polyester fiberfill to enjoy the flea repellent properties without the overwhelming smell.
- Recycled bedding and clothes can offer support and comfort to dog beds. T-shirts and old sweaters are a cheap option and you may have plenty of them available in your home.
- Foam can also be a great choice for beds, and you’ll have plenty of options to choose from if you decide to go with this option. Thicker, denser foams offer great support and are ideal for many dogs. Memory foam and orthopedic foams are softer and help to relieve pressure. These foams are ideal for dogs with arthritis or other painful conditions. You can often buy foam in sheets, so you can custom-cut the filling to the right size and shape for your dog’s bed.
If you’re environmentally conscious, then you’ll also want to consider how environmentally friendly each dog bed filling is. For instance, P.L.A.Y. makes dog beds out of plastic bottles that often go into landfills. Rather than throwing these bottles out, they’re turned into comfortable polyfiber used in dog beds. The P.L.A.Y. XL Lounge Bed contains 108 of these recycled bottles, and smaller beds contain between 26 and 57 of these bottles.
Before you start shopping for replacement dog bed filling, take a look at your dog’s bed and make sure that it’s designed for use with replacement filling. Some beds are sewn completely shut and aren’t intended for use with replacement filling, so you may need to get handy with a thread and needle if your dog has one of these bed styles. If you’re thinking of shopping for a new bed, consider buying one that’s designed for use with replacement fillers. This can simplify the process and make it much easier to quickly update and refresh the bed as needed.
Changing Your Dog’s Bed Filler
There’s a lot that goes into owning a pet, and while you might not always think about the importance of your dog’s bed filling, it’s an important way to keep your dog healthy and comfortable. Some pet owners who really don’t focus on their pets’ health and comfort may lead to their dog getting fleas, ingesting harmful materials, or worse, and may be charged with animal neglect or abuse. However, by simply keeping a close eye on your dog’s comfort, you’ll be giving a good quality life and giving him the best care possible.
When you buy replacement dog bed filling, it can be a good reminder to attend to other things that might need refreshing. Your air filter may be in need of changing, thanks to your pet’s hair. Changing out your air filter can ensure that both you and your pet are breathing fresh, quality air.
Changing your dog’s bed filler isn’t difficult, and with most bed designs, you can do it in just minutes. The results will be a soft, comfy bed that your dog can use around the home and even during a road trip. If you’re planning to take roadtrip with your dog, having a quality bed along can give your dog a comfortable space where he can relax. Plus, when you’re able to bring a dog bed from home, it will smell like your dog and be familiar to him, which can be reassuring.
If your dog’s bed is looking a little flat, lumpy, or otherwise uncomfortable, it may be time to buy new stuffing for the dog bed. With a newly refreshed bed, your dog can enjoy some quality naps and truly relax in comfort.
