• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Dog's Best Life

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Sleep better: 7 reasons why you should give your dog a blanket year-round

Posted January 11, 2022

Happy Shiba Inu rests on FunnyFuzzy leaf dog blanket.
Young, old, sick, and small dogs all benefit from using a blanket. 

Have you ever noticed how your dog loves to snuggle up next to your pillow or jump on a pile of laundry on the floor? Dogs are creatures of comfort. So, why not help your dog create her own special place with a dog blanket.

Why your dog needs a dog blanket

Contents

  • Why your dog needs a dog blanket
    • Create a sense of security
    • Support an instinct to nest
    • Provide safety from the storm
    • Protect your dog from the cold
    • Create comfort on the go
    • Protect your furniture
    • Help your dog regulate body temperature
  • Do dogs need blankets year-round? 
  • Choose the right dog blanket
  • Bottom line: Dog dogs need blankets? 
    • Related Posts

Create a sense of security

Dogs are pack animals and like the sense of security they get from burrowing into a cozy spot. If you don’t have more than one dog, you can help mimic a dog den by giving your dog a special blanket they can use whether they curl up on the floor, at the foot of your bed, or inside a crate. 

Puppies adjusting to a new home or dogs who’ve recently been adopted from a shelter both benefit from adding a soft blanket to their sleep space.

Support an instinct to nest

Your dog wants to have a spot to call her own. Once your dog starts using a blanket, it will retain her scent, which will add to her sense of place. She knows that her blanket is her special spot.

Provide safety from the storm

Most dogs fear loud noises like thunderstorms and fireworks. Being able to snuggle into a favorite blanket can help keep your dog calm.

Protect your dog from the cold

Despite the fact dogs wear fur coats 24/7, some still get cold. Puppies, older dogs, and small dogs tend to need a little extra warmth. Skinny dogs and dogs with short or thin coats also like blankets to snuggle.

Ten breeds known to be a little more cold-blooded include Beagles, Boxers, Chihuahuas, French Bulldogs, Great Danes, Greyhounds, Poodles, Pugs, Shih Tzus, and Yorkshire Terriers.

Create comfort on the go

A blanket is easier to pack than a dog bed if you’re planning a trip. It’ll also help keep your dog calm in the car and strange places like a hotel room or a friend’s house.

Protect your furniture

Blankets also help shield couches, chairs, or your bed from dog hair and muddy paws. And unlike most furniture, it’s easy to toss a blanket in the wash.

Help your dog regulate body temperature

Don’t worry that covering your dog with a blanket will make her get too warm. When dogs are cold, they’ll snuggle under blankets. If they get hot, they can quickly push the blanket away.

For this reason, a blanket is a better choice than a sweater or jacket that the dog can’t remove.

Do dogs need blankets year-round? 

While it might seem logical that dogs need blankets during the winter, most dogs like the added comfort blankets provide year-round. 

If you have hardwood or tile floors, they stay cooler, and your dog can get chilled when lying on the floor, even during the warmest months. 

While some dogs might like the blast of cold air from the air-conditioner or a ceiling fan, others will get too cool.

Giving your dog one or more blankets can let your dog stay comfortable no matter the time of year. 

Spring and summer can be tricky months for humans. The temperatures fluctuate, and you’ll find yourself adding or removing a sweater or jacket. Dogs don’t have that luxury. Their coats are permanent. 

But by offering blankets, you allow your pup to choose additional warmth when needed.

Choose the right dog blanket

Golden Retriever snuggles into a FunnyFuzzy leaf dog blanket.
Dogs are pack animals and like the sense of security they get from burrowing into a cozy spot. 

When selecting a blanket, start with an option that is machine washable. We find FunnyFuzzy’s leaf shape dog blankets are a good option for you.

Available in four colors: elm green, anthurium pink, ginkgo yellow, and pinecone grey, these machine washable blankets are 100% cotton with polyester stuffing. 

The blankets double as either a mat or blanket and are a perfect choice to cover your furniture. The leaf blankets also come in various sizes to best suit your dog. The elm green blanket is 42 inches by 56 inches, the anthurium pink blanket is 47 inches by 43 inches, the ginkgo yellow blanket is 50 inches, and the pinecone gray blanket is 38 inches by 48 inches.

Avoid choosing wool blankets; even washable wool can be scratchy and uncomfortable.

You also should skip any hand-knitted blankets. Keep the heirlooms for the humans. Your dog’s nails can easily catch on the loops. That can make your dog panic and could potentially destroy the blanket. 

And, of course, it should go without saying that you shouldn’t leave a dog who chews on a blanket alone with it. You don’t want to risk leaving your dog with a potential choking hazard. 

Bottom line: Dog dogs need blankets? 

Yes. All dogs can benefit from blankets.

Young, old, and sick dogs need the added comfort. 

Small dogs, short-haired breeds, and dogs who are prone to be more cold-blooded need the extra warmth. 

Dogs love the comfort of having a blanket of their own, and blankets make great substitutes for dog beds. They can also help keep furniture clean, keep dogs calm on car rides, in strange places, or during loud noises.

And giving your dog a blanket to snuggle can help her get a better night’s sleep. 

Given all that, a blanket is a reasonably inexpensive investment to help keep your dog happy and healthy.

Sara B. HansenSara B. Hansen has spent the past 20-plus years as a professional editor and writer. She’s also the author of The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels. She decided to create her dream job by launching Dog’s Best Life in 2011. Sara grew up with family dogs, and since she bought her first house, she’s had a furry companion or two to help make it a home. She shares her heart and home with Nutmeg, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Her previous dogs: Sydney (September 2008-April 2020), Finley (November 1993-January 2008), and Browning (May 1993-November 2007).
You can reach Sara @ [email protected].

Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

Related Posts

  • French bulldog snuggles into dog bed. The most common cause of canine insomnia is pent-up energy. Help your dog sleep through the night by making sure she gets plenty of exercise.
    12 tips to help your dog sleep all night

    The most common cause of canine insomnia is pent-up energy.…

  • Science says sleep with your dog. Jack Russell terrier snuggles with his teddy bear.
    Unlock the secret of 5 dog sleep positions to help your pup sleep tight

    Dog sleep positions range from curling up tight to sleeping…

  • Millennials sleep as pet Yorkie keeps guard. Millennials choose dogs over kids due to cost.
    Should you sleep with your dog? 9 reasons science says yes.

    Science says sleep with your dog to get a better…

  • Weimaraner puppy sleeping. Dog sleep behavior: Most puppies sleep up to 20 hours a day.
    What do your dog's sleep patterns mean?

    Dog sleep behavior: Although dogs need up to 20 hours…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Health Tagged With: Dog sleep

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • The most common warning signs to watch for in your puppy's behaviors include snarling, growling, mounting, snapping, nipping, lip curling, lunging, dominance, challenging stance, dead-eye stare, aggressive barking, possessiveness, and of course, biting!

    Take action immediately when you spot aggressive puppy warning signs

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

Tags

Flying Dog business Emotional support dogs Dog body language Barking Independent dog breeds Dog teeth Cats First-time dog owner Shedding Dog cloning Canine exercise Driving Dog photos Dog sleep Dog bath Canine diabetes Dog clothes Dog begging Halloween German shepherd Moving Home renovations Dog communication Puppy kindergarten Boxer Border collie Potty training Petfinder.com Neutering and spaying

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • 5 reasons why maintaining your pet’s dental health is important
    Poor dental health can lead to tooth loss, heart disease, and other health problems. Provide proper dental care for your dog. […]
  • 7 famous dogs that shaped the course of history
    Read more to find out how seven famous dogs helped shape human history. Famous dogs include Peritas, Soter, Old Drum, and Pavlov's dog. […]
  • Discover 10 interesting facts about dog behavior
    Here are ten facts about dog behavior that may help you understand your pet more and wonder less about sometimes slightly peculiar habits. […]
  • 5 common dachshund health problems and how to treat them
    Dachshund health problems include hip and elbow dysplasia, invertebrate disc disease, obesity, allergies and asthma. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2022 Dog's Best Life online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkRead more