You’ve no doubt heard from countless sources how important sleep is for your health. The same is true for our furry friends. Unfortunately, for as much as people educate themselves on dog and cat training, dietary requirements and exercise needs, many pet owners know surprisingly little about their pets’ sleep needs.
Have you ever noticed how cranky you feel when you don’t get enough sleep? If so, then it should come as no surprise that a lack of proper sleep can affect pets in the same way. When a dog doesn’t sleep enough, stress hormones can build up in their bodies, leading to unwanted behaviors or even aggression.
For our feline companions, sleep is just as essential. First-time cat owners are often confounded by how much their cat sleeps, and may even worry that they are sleeping too much. However, the average cat sleeps about fifteen hours a day, with kittens and older cats sleeping upwards of twenty hours per day.
This amount of sleep is because, domesticated though they may be, cats are still predators by nature. Because they’re predators, they spend much of their time sleeping, which allows them to build up the energy reserves they need to go on the hunt. (It just so happens that for most of our kitty companions, ‘going on the hunt’ means chasing a piece of string or a mouse toy.)
Getting enough sleep gives your cat the mental as well as the physical energy it needs during those waking hours. If you want your cat to remain active and playful, regardless of its age, it is important to be sure that they get the sleep they need.
Dogs generally need a bit less sleep, though still more than humans. You can expect your pup to need about twelve to fourteen hours of sleep per day. As with cats, it’s also good to note that puppies and older dogs will probably need a bit more.
A good pet bed is one of the best ways to ensure your pet is getting the sleep that he or she needs. Pet beds do far more than simply provide comfort (though that is definitely a benefit). Well-designed pet beds consider your pet’s basic instincts and allow them to sleep better based on factors encoded into their natural biology.
For example, the Cuddle custom pet bed from J’adore comes with raised sides, which provides both dogs and cats with a sense of security that will allow them to enter a deeper and more restful sleep. If you have a pet that is inclined to curl up in any stray box that they find, then this may be the perfect bed option for them.
Another great option is a custom pet bed like the Throne from J’adore. This bed type is raised up from the floor. Cats feel more comfortable when perched in a high spot, so opting for something that gives them a little height can be a great idea when seeking a custom cat bed. (Do note that some dogs also prefer high places for sleep, especially smaller breeds—so the Throne can be a great custom dog bed as well.)
If you’re on the hunt for a new pet bed and aren’t sure where to start, simply observing the way your pets sleep is a great starting point. Even if they can’t tell you exactly what they want, their instincts are automatically going to lead them to seek out the most restful spot possible. From there, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a bed that will help them get the most restful sleep possible.