The most important part when choosing a dog bed is the filling. I tested various fillings, such as the most common siliconized fillings, bean bag balls, sponge, crushed memory foam, feathers and buckwheat flakes. The fillings were tested by my dogs, my dogs' friends, or other dogs, and their owners, and here's what we discovered.
Silicone balls
Dog beds filled with siliconized filling look fluffy and soft, but appearances are deceiving, as they are mostly filled with air. When the dog lies down on the siliconized filling, it squeezes out all the air and lies on a flattened or hard surface. These fillings do not adapt to the dog's body and do not provide real support and comfort for sleeping. Such a surface is not breathable and does not have a good air flow, so it cannot maintain the optimal temperature of the dog's body. Due to this feature, they retain unpleasant odors at the same time. That is why they should be washed often. When they are washed, they take a long time to dry. They accumulate, that is, clump together, and it is necessary to constantly shake them. Because of all of the above, they have a short lifespan, and such dog beds are often thrown away and new ones are bought.
Bean Bag balls
Unlike the siliconized filling that consists of air around polyester fibers, Bean Bag balls are expanded with 98% air. This means that the air is not around them but inside them and cannot be squeezed out when the dog lies on them. Bean bag balls are always evenly distributed under the dog and provide orthopedic support to every part of the body. They create a sense of comfort, because the dog is always on a soft surface and never reaches a hard surface like other fillings that flatten under the dog's weight. The balls are breathable and thus maintain a stable temperature of the dog's body. Whether they are on cold concrete or underfloor heating, the balls are an insulator that allows the dog not to overheat or cool down. After long-term use, Bean bag balls lose some of their volume, but they never fall apart and do not need to be thrown away, they are simply replenished when the time comes. They are waterproof, do not absorb moisture and are not suitable for the development of microorganisms that can cause the accumulation of unpleasant odors. View all Bean Bag dog beds here.
Water resistance test: Bean Bag balls - do not absorb water
Volume retention test
Shredded memory foam in a dog bed
Unlike siliconized filling, shredded memory foam does not clump. But it potentially releases dangerous and unpleasant chemical smells. Under the weight of the dog, it will soften and become too thin, and it absorbs the body heat of the dog. This leads to inconsistent support resulting in inadequate support for the dog's body and body temperature.
Sponge in plate and crushed sponge
The sponge absorbs water and odors, and turns into dust over time. It is difficult to wash and dry. It is not breathable and does not provide optimal support for the dog's body. The crushed sponge forms a lump and the filling should be constantly shaken.
Dog bed filling made of buckwheat flakes
The filling made of buckwheat or similar flakes is easy to shape and provides excellent support to the dog's body. It is breathable and has a good air flow that maintains the dog's optimal temperature. It has a long service life and is ecological. Unfortunately, beds with this filling are extremely heavy, the scales are impossible to wash and simple maintenance of such a bed is impossible.
Feather filling for dog beds
The feather bed for dogs is partially shaped according to the pet, keeps its shape and provides good support to the dog's body with regular shaking. These fillings are light, soft and long-lasting, but expensive. In addition, they absorb and retain the dog's body heat, which can lead to overheating. The dog gets hot and looks for another place to sleep. The feather dog bed needs to be constantly shaken to prevent the filling from spreading. They are difficult to maintain. They may be too soft for some dogs, resulting in inadequate support for the dog's body. At the same time, it is considered that their production is inhumane.
Rating of filling properties for dog beds
Choose Woff Woff dog bed with Bean Bag filling here
See all Woff Woff products here.
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Author: Morana Barbara Lučić
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