At The Pet Carpenter we’re all about providing a wide variety of sleeping options for your dog. Whether that’s soft beds, traditional baskets or bespoke furniture made for you. In this blog post we’re going to explore the benefits of drawbacks when it comes to dog bed vs. dog crate! And if you are still undecided make sure you read to the end to find our perfect solution to this conundrum!
Why Choose a Dog Bed?
Dog beds are arguably the more traditional choice, especially here in the UK. They take on many forms, from soft cushions and mattresses, to hard plastic or wicker baskets. On the whole dog beds are much easier to clean, especially when soft beds unzip to go in the washing machine. Hard plastic beds are also easy to wipe down if they get muddy or your puppy has an accident. These types of dog bed are also easy to transport around with you, which means while you’re travelling with your dog they’ll always have the familiarity of their bed wherever you go.
If you do decide to opt for the classic dog bed, bear in mind you’ll likely need to replace it multiple times throughout your dog’s lifetime. Even more so if they prefer softer beds or they have a habit of chewing! While dog beds may seem like the cheaper option initially, once you consider their comparatively shorter lifetime, you’ll likely find there’s not much difference between a dog bed vs. dog crate.
Why Choose a Dog Crate?
Dog crates have a misconception for being cruel, which is completely inaccurate. As we always say, we never advise leaving dogs in a crate for extended periods of time and it’s important they always have access to fresh water too. In fact, there are many benefits to crate training your dog, including providing a safe den-like space for them to access whenever they require.
Dog crates are also a great choice for smaller homes or apartments, as you can utilise the top of the crate as an additional side table or surface. Of course, our dog bedrooms are available with a range of additional storage options, including drawers and cupboards, all of which will be made bespoke to suit you and your dog’s needs.
One downside to choosing a dog crate over a dog bed, is that they’re often not as portable. If you’re planning to take your pup away on trips, you may also need a travel crate solution. Thankfully there are a wide range of crate options available.
The Best of Both Worlds
Our team at The Pet Carpenter understand different dogs prefer different sleeping options. So, we’ve worked hard to develop a cohesive range of furniture, beds including our Oakley Open Bedroom. It’s the perfect in between, combining the open freedom of a dog bed with the safe and snuggly space of a dog crate.
It also has a sleek sideboard feature, making the Oakley the perfect pet bed choice for a living space in your home. You’ll be able to use the top for displaying photographs and trinkets, as well as keeping a hot cup of tea out of your pup’s reach! Meanwhile your dog will benefit from easy access to their safe space whenever they need it, as well as a dedicated space for all their favourite cosy blankets and favourite soft bed.
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