THE BEST DOG BEDS & BLANKETS FOR WINTER
In winter, the challenge is not just keeping our dogs warm in their beds, there are other issues too - from the risk of damp beds from condensation (in part caused by central heating!) to dealing with higher numbers of dust mites living in our dogs' beds.
Here's our 5 top tips to keeping your dog warm, cosy and content through Winter, and our recommendations for the best dog beds and dog blankets to deal with cold, wet, winter weather.
#1 : CHOOSE MOISTURE-WICKING TEXTILES
The best dog beds and dog blankets for winter weather are made from moisture-wicking fabrics, textiles that actively "wick" moisture away from your dog’s body and dry super-fast, especially important where your dog might go to bed with wet paws e.g. in the car, or any dog bed in the home that they can access when coming in from the garden on home from a walk. All of the luxe upholstery fabrics used in Charley Chau dog beds have low levels of moisture absorption and retention and dry super-fast.
FAROE
The look, feel & warmth of upholstery wool but without the maintenance headache and Faroe is tough - tough enough for heavy commercial upholstery and has a stain-guarding treatment built-in.
VELOUR
Synonymous with luxury over centuries: velvety soft and warm to touch, a tightly knitted fabric with excellent draught-proofing properties and low levels of moisture absorption and retention.
WEAVE II
A miracle textile - a beautiful woven texture that is scrabble & pluck resistant! Built-in stain-guarding deals with winter muck with fabulous moisture-wicking properties to keep your dog dry and cosy in bed.
#2 : LAYERING FOR WARMTH
A no brainer - add cosy blankets to trap warm air around your dog to keep them warm even if they're not under the blankets. A couple of small size blankets (relative to the size of your dog and their bed) dropped in a dog bed are perfect for your dog to dig a nest and create a cosy cocoon. Every Charley Chau dog blanket is made with two layers of cosy, insulating fabrics, and all are moisture-wicking too.
LUXE FLEECE DOG BLANKETS
Choose from high-loft luxury Sherpa or our seriously cosy super-soft fleece. Both are double layer blankets to deliver extra warmth and sublime comfort and unrivalled moisture wicking-properties.
LUSH FAUX-FUR THROWS
The ultimate in winter dog blankets - luxurious faux-fur fleece that are indescribabnly soft to touch, backed with our super-soft anti-pil fleece for another layer of warmth to keep cosy in style.
THE SNUGGLE BED
Layering made simple for dogs that love to burrow under blankets - our signature Snuggle Bed - available with a classic blanket top or an extra warm duvet top with extra padding.
#3 : DRAUGHT EXCLUDERS
High-Wall Dog Beds with deep, cosy sides help to keep dogs out of cold draughts as they rest and sleep. Mini-Bolster Pads are also brilliant draught excluders - warm and cosy to nestle into. Always place your dog's bed away from external windows and doorways.
DUCKY DONUT BEDS
A feather-filled donut nest filled with ethically sourced feathers - a warm, cosy cocoon that wraps around your dog to protect from draughts.
DOG CRATE BEDDING
Turn a crate into a cosy little den with insulating deep-filled luxury mattresses, soft, cosy bed bumpers and Mini Bolster Pads for extra comfort and warmth.
DEEPLY DISHY DOG BEDS
Deep-cosy sides filled with an insulating wadding and a deep-filled mattress to hunker down on - a great choice for small and medium size dogs to stay cosy.
#4 : PREVENT CONDENSATION
It may sound strange but having the heating on or placing a dog bed next to a radiator can lead to damp dog beds! Think of a steamy bathroom in winter when steam condenses on a cold window - that's what's going on under the bed. Place 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. Raise your dog’s mattress off the floor and the risk of condensation goes away instantly. Simply place your dog's mattress inside a Rattan Basket or on a Raised Rattan Dog Bed Frame to create a cosy and dry dog bed set-up.
RATTAN DOG BASKET
Lifting your dog's mattress off the floor, even by only an inch or so, removes the risk of condensation forming in the mattress. Perfect for creating a warm, cosy and dry dog bed for your dog through the winter.
RAISED RATTAN DOG BED
A super-smart and practical solution to raising your dog's mattress of the floor - our Raised Rattan Dog Bed lifts your dog well clear of a cold floor with zero risk a damp or wet mattress from condensation.
#5 : BARRIER PROTECTION & MACHINE WASHABLE EVERYTHING
In cold weather dust mites in every home move en masse to spots that are warm and humid - and that means your dog’s bed is a top winter retreat for the unwelcome critters. Anti-Microbial Waterproof Bed Liners offer barrier protection to stop animal dander, dust and dirt (basically dust mite food) from settling in your dog’s mattress, as well as helping with moisture management. Fully washable dog beds are always essential, but especially in winter. Wash your dog’s bedding regularly to remove physical debris (the dust mite poop and dander etc). Spare Bed Covers take the stress out of wash days making it easier for you to keep your dog’s bedding clean as well as cosy.
ANTI-MICROBIAL WATERPROOF LINERS
Our Anti-Microbial Waterproof Bed Liners offer barrier protection to keep physical dander, dirt and debris out of your dog's mattress. They are also fab for preventing moisture from wet paws and dog coats from seeping into their mattress.
SPARE BED COVERS
Wash your dog's bedding regularly through winter to keep your dog warm and cosy and hygienically clean too. Sapre Covers and Replacement Mattress Pads are available for all Charley Chau beds to make wash days less stressful.
HERE TO HELP
If you have any questions about Charley Chau luxe dog beds and blankets, or even a general dog bedding dilemma, please don't hesitate to contact us.
T: +44 (0)161 848 8702
E: hello@charleychau.com
x Christine, Jenny & the Charley Chau gang