Tips to Make the Right Dog Bed & Blanket Choices To Keep a Dog Cosy and Comfy in Winter

Winter not only presents the challenge of keeping a dog warm in their bed; there are other issues to consider too. Condensation - in part caused by central heating – can quickly turn a dog’s happy place into a damp den. There’s also a higher number of dust mites living in a dog’s bed during the colder months.

Ensuring the perils of winter don’t hamper a dog’s sleep, award-winning British dog bed designers since 2010 Charley Chau share their expert guidance on choosing the right winter bedding to keep a dog warm, cosy and comfortable throughout the colder, wetter months.

#1. Choose Moisture-Wicking Textiles

The best dog beds and dog blankets for winter are made from moisture-wicking fabrics that actively draw (or wick) moisture away from a dog’s body and dry quickly. This is particularly important after a dog returns to their bed or blanket, whether at home or on-the-go, with wet paws or fur. Charley Chau dog beds use upholstery grade fabrics such as velvet soft Velour or wool-like Faroe, which feature low levels of moisture absorption and retention, as well as fast-drying properies to help keep a dog warm and dry.

#2. Offer Layers for Warmth

Adding a cosy blanket to a bed adds insulation and creates a warm micro-environment around the dog even if they're not actually under the blankets. A couple of small size blankets (relative to the size of the dog and their bed) dropped in a bed will also allow a dog to dig a nest and create their perfect cocoon. At Charley Chau, every dog blanket is double-layered with cosy, insulating fabrics that moisture-wick.

#3. Draught Excluders

High-wall dog beds with deep, cosy sides help keep dogs out of cold draughts as they take their naps. Adding a little cushion like Charley Chau’s Mini-Bolster Pads will also act as a draught excluder and gives a dog something warm and comforting to nestle into. To further avoid drafts spoiling a dog’s sleep, also ensure their bed is placed away from external windows and doorways.

#4. Protect Against Condensation

While it may seem counterintuitive, placing a dog bed next to a radiator or in a heavily heated room can actually result in a damp bed. Check for damp by placing your palm flat on the underside of your dog's mattress - if it feels very cold or even vaguely damp, there’s a risk of condensation forming inside the mattress. Avoid the issue by raising a dog’s mattress off the floor – look for raised dog baskets or elevated dog frames such as the Charley Chau Raised Dog Bed Frame.



#5. Create Barriers and Look for Machine Washable Everything

In cold weather dust mites move en masse to spots that are warm and humid, so a dog’s bed is their ultimate winter retreat. Anti-Microbial Waterproof Bed Liners offer barrier protection to stop dander, dust and dirt from settling in the mattress, as well as helping with moisture management. Fully washable dog beds are always essential to keep a dog’s bedding clean as well as cosy, but especially in winter. Wash dog’s bedding regularly to remove physical debris (dust mite excrement, dander etc) and purchase Spare Bed Covers for more straightforward maintenance.

Trusted by customers in over 60 countries worldwide, Charley Chau beds and blankets are not just supremely comfortable – keeping dogs cosy, calm and content through their lifetime – they’re also designed to stand up to the practicalities of everyday life, making them a wise investment for a dog and the home, no matter the season. Their range of luxe bedding looks beautiful in the home too.

Keep a dog cosy and comfy this Winter at Charleychau.com