If your dog sleeps in a dog kennel then the bed may simply be a cushion.  To really make the kennel stand out a fluffy, electric pink cushion is your best option.  People will be able to see it in the doorway and it will give your dog’s home a luxurious feel.  However, if your dog sleeps in one of the rooms in your house or an open dog pen then something more substantial will be required.  Because the whole of the bed will be visible you will want to look at some really fancy dog beds and often the best place to look is an auction site on the internet.

Here you will find pink dog beds made from all different sorts of fabric and often you can select a bed with one colour on the outside and a different one for the inside.  Sometimes you will even be able to have the bed personalised with your dog’s name.  Another great thing about these sites is that often you can buy other matching items to create a whole ‘look’ for your pet.  You may want a bowl, collar and lead or even a dog carrier in the same fabric and style.

One thing that you do have to be aware of with these cute dog beds is that they are not always totally practical. Think carefully about which fabric will best suit your pet as a dog who moults a lot or often gets muddy would probably be best with an easy wash fabric.   If she spends a lot of time out in the wet or jumping in rivers then a waterproof or plastic bed will be the most sensible idea, but don’t worry that you won’t be able to find cool dog beds like this as they also come in a range of pinks!

So, if you want to make your little pooch feel like a special girl then look for a really luxurious pink dog bed for her to curl up in and enjoy a good night’s sleep.

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Waterproof dog beds have a high quality filling which doesn’t squash and go flat over time, covered with a waterproof polyester fabric.  This fabric can be cleaned by either hosing it down or simply wiping it with a damp cloth and is quite tough, making it difficult (but not actually impossible) for a dog to chew holes in it.

There are several reasons why you might want to buy this sort of bed.  Firstly, it makes an excellent outdoor dog bed for those whose pets spend lots of time in a dog pen.  Their very nature means that it doesn’t matter if there is a rain shower which has not been forecast as they will not be ruined by water, where other beds would become soggy and unusable.  Secondly, if you have a dog who spends as little time as possible in his dog kennel and instead uses his time jumping in rivers or rolling in muddy puddles then you will want a waterproof dog bed.  It won’t matter if he goes straight from a muddy puddle into his bed, you can just wipe the mud off with a cloth.

These beds are becoming so popular that you can now get loads of different varieties from a designer dog bed for a pampered pooch in fancy colours or patterns to an enormous bed that will perfectly suit the large dog kennel of a bulky wolf hound.  You can buy flat beds, which are basically just a cushion, or a basket style bed which helps to keep in the heat and keep a damp doggy warm and toasty.

Though a waterproof dog bed actually needs no additions, some people choose to buy the optional extra of a fleecy cover.  These covers will give extra warmth in particularly cold conditions or for dogs with fine coats and can be easily put into the washing machine if they get a bit dirty or muddy.  As fleece fabric is very quick drying there is no risk of your dog catching a chill.

When looking into buying puppy dog clothes it is vital that you measure your dog accurately so that the outfit looks its best.  Make sure that you measure not just the length of his body but his body and neck girth and overall weight.  This way, when you look at puppy clothing websites you will be armed with the information necessary to decide upon which size you need.

The most popular items of puppy clothes are puppy coats, which come in a huge variety of fabrics, patterns and styles.  These are ideal if your dog has a very short coat, which makes it feel the cold, or if you live in a particularly cold area and they spend a lot of time in their dog kennel, as they help to keep in most of the body heat.  It is also possible to buy more unusual items such as pyjamas, T-shirts, hats and skirts.  There are also plenty of outfits designed for specific holidays or occasions such as Christmas, Halloween or weddings and a dog dressed in a cute, seasonal outfit will get lots of attention from everyone who sees him.

Though, by and large, most pet stores only sell jackets and jumpers for dogs, the internet has allowed the creation of many ‘dog boutiques’ selling unusual and designer dog clothing for dogs of all breeds and sizes and, if you search hard enough, you will be able to find pretty much any item of wear that your imagination can come up with.

Though you may be criticised for owning a pampered pooch, puppies’ clothes are a harmless bit of fun and your dog won’t mind wearing an outfit at all, as long as it fits comfortably and doesn’t restrict his movement.  However, do be warned that these outfits don’t come cheap and so you may want to only buy a few for very special occasions.

The final downside to buying puppy clothing is that puppies, like children, grow and so any outfit that you buy may well not fit him in a few months time.  If money is an issue then you might need to wait until he has reached full size as then there is no risk of an outfit only being worn a few times.

Memory foam was initially invented by NASA to reduce the effects of impact onto seats during landings.  It was quickly realised that it had great potential within the medical industry to prevent bed sores in long stay patients as it evenly distributes weight.  It wasn’t long before it began to be utilised for all sorts of uses, including memory foam pet beds for people to use either in the home or within dog crates or kennels.

The foam is generally encased in a waterproof cover to help protect it and reduce the likelihood of the cushion starting to smell.  You can simply put a cushion into one of the many cheap plastic dog beds on the market or can buy an entire foam dog bed with integral cushion.  The covers are usually removable and machine washable helping to ensure that your lovely memory foam dog bed will give you many years of use.

Though memory foam dog beds are more expensive than traditional dog beds the benefits far outweigh the cost and, in the long run you may actually find that your vet’s bills are reduced because your beloved pet is not suffering as much.  It is not just that there will be less pressure on aching joints, it will also help reduce muscle strain and other sorts of pain.  The fabric covering is made to be especially hardwearing so that it can’t be chewed to bits by your dog and comes in a huge variety of colours and patterns so that it will fit in with the interior decoration of your home.

All in all a memory foam dog bed is an easy way to help an aging dog regain some of its youthful exuberance and get a good night’s sleep.  The foam helps with conditions such as rheumatism, arthritis and muscle and joint pains.

A dog life vest is one piece of dog clothing which is a necessity for those who are going to spend any length of time on the water with their pet and there are certain features that you should look out for.

Firstly, all good life jackets are made from high visibility fabric and contain some reflective strips so that a light would reflect off the surface if you were searching for a pet who had gone overboard at night.  Some dog life jackets have handles on the top for ease of removing the animal from water from the safety of the boat and others have a chin support so that a dog who has become tired from spending an extended time in the water doesn’t drown even whilst wearing his jacket.

It is not only dogs on board boats who sometimes have a need for a pet life jacket.  Some dogs are overly confident about jumping into bodies of water, often paying little heed to whether or not it is safe to do so.  If you have a dog like this then you may want him to wear one when you are near to a river or lake and, if you employ someone for their dog walking services then make sure that they always use it too.

Basically a dog life jacket will be required by all dogs who spend time on the water with their owner.  All it would take is a strong gust of wind, a slippery deck or a rough sea to send a beloved pet overboard and it may be that all there is between him surviving or not is his dog’s life jacket.

If your dog lives in a dog kennel then you will need to make sure that the basket is, as near as possible, the same size as the living space.  This will ensure that no space is lost in gaps around the edges.  If, however, you are more of a fan of dog crates for your dog while you are away from home then this will not be an issue as there will be plenty of space to put a lovely wicker dog basket in the corner.

Of course dog baskets come in different types:

Plastic – these are the most popular due to their ease of cleaning and sturdy nature.  You can put a cushion in them to make them comfortable and these can simply be put into the washing machine when they get dirty.

Wicker – this is the most traditional style and also the most aesthetically pleasing though have the disadvantages of being harder to clean and easier to chew!

Soft – made of fabric, these can be bought to fit in with your home decor and are particularly warm and cosy.  New, waterproof versions have recently become available which are ideal for dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors, splashing in puddles.

Baskets are not just great for your home, if you travel elsewhere or put your dog into doggie day care during the day then they can have a little piece of home with them which will help them to feel more comfortable.

The final type, which most people don’t think of, is a bicycle dog basket.  These are ideal for smaller dogs who simply cannot keep up when you go out for a bike ride.  They enable them to ride safely on the front of your bike, enjoying the view and the outdoors.  These baskets are easy to fit and to remove when not in use.

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Dogs are now kept as pets in many areas of the world where they did not evolve naturally.  On top of this, with modern breeding techniques, there are large numbers of dogs who don’t have the thick coats of dogs bred for particularly cold climates or else are clipped over certain parts of their body.  If this is the case for your dog then you may want to look into the kinds of clothing available to keep him warm.

It is all very well having an insulated dog kennel but, in severe winter temperatures, a dog sweater will give him an extra layer of protection.  Small dog clothing can look a lot like children’s wear but it has been specially designed so that it fits their longer bodies and has holes for all four legs.

As well as practical clothing items there are also clothes which help to keep your dog safe. For anyone who takes their dog on boat trips with them is a doggie life jacket.  Though it is well known that dogs are good swimmers, even they would struggle in rough waters or if they had to spend a long time in the water.  Another great item is a reflective jacket or bandana so that your dog can be seen by drivers on dark nights or in poor weather conditions.

If you work long hours and so put your dog into doggie day care or employ someone for their dog walking services then you may wish to provide a waterproof dog coat so that he will be able to join in with all walks, no matter what the weather.

Though most dog clothing and accessories are of a practical nature, to keep you dog warm and dry, designer dog clothing is becoming an every larger market with everything from diamond studded designer dog collars to cashmere sweaters available for the furriest member of the family.

You may think that large dog clothing will be the most difficult to acquire but there are plenty of companies out there who cater specifically for bigger dogs and so a bit of research on your part will soon come up with results.

Luckily, buying a large dog kennel isn’t as difficult as it once was, due to the increased demand.  The main limitation these days is actually the size of your outdoor space.  If you have plenty of room then you can install a dog kennel – though it might resemble a summer house!  This type are built from wood and can have one or two rooms, depending on whether your dog is to spend the night in it.  You can even buy luxury versions with a porch for the dog to lie on and windows from which he can enjoy the views!

If your dog comes in at night time and you are more interested in him getting some exercise during the day without being able to use his large paws to dig up the geraniums then you might be better served by looking into large dog crates made from metal.  These are very strong and, if you buy one made from galvanised steel, will be resistant to weathering.  They have space for your dog to play and run but he won’t be able to escape the garden and terrorise the neighbours or get run over on a nearby road.  You can buy self build versions, which are astonishingly easy to construct yourself or, sturdier ready built types.  Most pet stores would recommend the modular ready built crates for large dogs as anything which isn’t particularly strong could easily be knocked to the ground by a big dog.

If you have an even bigger than usual breed of dog, such as a Great Dane, then you will probably need a more specialist provider to find yourself a good range of extra large dog crates.

Your dog’s bed needs to be made of a tough, durable plastic which can withstand a bit of chewing and is resistant to taking on doggy odours.  If you live in a very hot area, or else have a dog who gets particularly overheated when he’s done some exercise then you might want to buy a bed which has air vents in it or one that is slightly raised off the ground to allow air flow around it.  Owners of plastic dog kennels might want to see if they can find a bit which has been specially made to fit within the kennel as this will prevent wasting any space.

If your dog is mostly kept outdoors then you probably have a nice, insulated dog kennel for him.  Plastic dog beds will add to the insulating properties because they will add another layer between your pet and the cold ground beneath the kennel.  The bed will also help to keep the interior of the kennel clean as it is easily taken out and washed down.

The fact that they are plastic ensures that these are also waterproof dog beds.  This means that if you dog lies in it while he is wet that the water won’t end up all over the floor and can easily be wiped up.  If you have a young dog who is prone to little accidents that you will also stop your floor from being covered in urine!

Plastic dog beds generally come with rubber feet, to stop them slipping, as standard and a range of custom fit cushions to choose from.  They come in a huge variety of colours so you can choose one that fits in well with your decor!

Of course it is not just unsafe.  Dogs are not always the cleanest of animals and are likely to bring mud and dirt into your car, along with piles of shed hair, which would make your seats most undesirable for the next human occupant.  All these factors make it vital to buy some sort of dog carrier in which to transport your pet.

If you are someone who doesn’t use their car very often to transport their dog then a dog car crate is probably not necessary and you would be better off buying one of the many plastic dog kennels available on the market today.  These can be secured to the back seat by a seatbelt and will keep your dog safely in place for your journey.

If, however, your dog travels with you more than once a week then you should consider purchasing a dog car cage.  These cages are specially designed to fit into the back of the car and the newer designs have a sloping side to solve the problem of dog car cages which can’t fit into hatchback cars.  The cages have plastic trays on the bottom to catch any dirt and hair, reducing the need to vacuum out the vehicle, and often come with dividers which can be inserted if you want to transport more than one dog.

All types of dog car cage have a door opening on one side but some also have extra doors to allow access from the vehicle by lowering the back seats.  This may be useful if you need to reach your dog whilst still in transit or in emergency situations.