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Dog Beds for Allergic Owners

washable dog beds

I am very allergic to dogs, but I can tolerate hairless dog breeds, especially the American Hairless Terrier, better than coated ones. However, I do have to be vigilant about environmental controls (see my Allergic to Dogs? page) to keep the amount of pet allergens down at my home. I have noticed that I will have allergic reactions to my dogs' beds if I don't choose them wisely.

 Donut style beds

• The most important criteria in choosing a dog bed is to make sure it is completely machine washable. Cover, stuffing, and all. I like to wash my dogs' beds once a week, or at least biweekly. I used to buy those foam cuddler beds with cute, removable covers. However, with these beds only the cover fabric is washable. You cannot wash the main foam core. After a while, the foam starts having a very "doggy" smell and gets saturated with dog allergens. At that point I would start having allergic reactions when I was in the same room with those beds.
• Do not buy a bed with cedar chips unless you are sure you are not allergic to them. I am very allergic to cedar.
• My hairless dogs like beds with side panels. The sides make the bed feel comfy and lets the dog nestle. Solid sides also protect hairless dogs from drafts. My dogs like to rest their heads on the soft, cushy sides of donut beds and watch the world go by. You could also try those washable sack-like beds that dogs can crawl into, or even cats' cave-like beds. They will keep your little hairless dog warm and cozy.
• My dogs love beds made of furry material. The furrier the better. They like soft fake fur and chenille type of materials. Nylon is too cold against a hairless dog's skin. Woven cotton is very gentle if your dog has sensitive skin, but it isn't as cozy as furrier materials. Cotton flannel is softer.
• I like the soft and cushy "donut" style beds. Because they are not super thick, they are completely machine washable. The newer donut and bagel beds now come with thicker, padded bottoms. Donut beds can be used alone as beds, as pads in the crates, as cushions in the Perla beds (see the frame dog beds page), and on your sofas to help keep them dog dander free. You can even stack two of them for more cushioning. Two thinner beds are easier to wash and faster to dry than one thick bed. All my hairless dogs adore their donut beds!
• My hairless dogs like to sleep curled up to stay warmer. Because they don't usually stretch out when sleeping, unless the weather is really hot, I can buy the smaller sized beds. Lucy is 12 lb and 12" and she fits in a 18" bed. My Xolos that weigh 30-47 lb need a donut bed size of 22" and up.

 Framed dog beds with standard size human pillows

• If you would like something fancier than donut beds, metal, wood, and plastic dog beds that fit standard size human bed pillows are ideal. You can wash these pillows frequently, or better yet, just throw away the old allergen laden pillows. You can find standard pillows on sale for really low prices ($3.00 and up) and give your dogs new allergen free pillows every month.
• Choose a dog bed that is made of solid wood. Many people are allergic to particle board and formaldehyde. If the wood is unfinished, you'll have to paint or seal it yourself. Unfinished wood gives out a "wood smell" and can aggravate your allergies.
• When I use pillows for my dogs' beds, I encase them in one or two layers of anti-dustmite covers (see allergy products page) and then put on the pillow case. (Your own pillows, mattresses, and comforters should be covered with these encasings as well.) I wash these anti-mite covers and pillow cases weekly.
• The best thing about using human pillows is the endless choice in pillow case fabric designs. You are sure to find one that matches your home decor.
• Sewing your own pillow cases is also very easy (see aht outfits page for patterns). Only a few straight seams are needed. Just measure your existing standard pillow case for size. Pillow cases made from microfleece are very soft.
• I use a human pillow made of memory foam as a dog bed for my old Xolo with hip problems. I also buy memory foam mattress toppers and then cut them into standard pillow size pieces. Unfortunately, memory foam is not easily washable and it is not cheap. Once the foam pillow starts having a doggie odor, it's time to throw it away. I cover these memory foam pillows with two anti-dustmite encasings as well before putting on the pillow cases.
• Since pillows have no sides for comfort, you can throw in a soft blanket for your dog to nestle in. Vellux blankets (see allergy products page) are the most recommended blankets for allergy sufferers. They are soft and pleasant against sensitive skin. They are very durable, last wash after wash, and they can be washed in hot water. I use Vellux blankets myself and I cut them up to smaller blankets for my dogs as well. My dogs like them because they are soft are fuzzy.

 Washable dog bed links

Click on the bed titles for complete product info.

Washable dog beds
	Hugger Dog Beds round or square many sizes, colors, designs, and patterns hearts, polka dots, paws, shaggy, leopard, giraffe, tiger, camouflage, etc. machine washable
	Cloud Beds several sizes, colors, and patterns machine washable and dryable
	Nature Nap Soft Berber Dog Mat super soft berber fabric several sizes and colors machine washable and dryable
	Eco Nap Earth Friendly Dog Beds soft and plushy made from 100% post consumer recycled plastic machine washable
	Zoo Rest Faux Fur Dog Mat soft and furry several sizes and patterns machine washable and dryable
Plastic dog beds
my 12 lb AHT in a 24" bed my 45 lb Xolo in 24" a bed	Perla Dog Beds available in three sizes size 24" -- 24 inside, 26 outside size 30" -- 30 inside, 32 1/2 outside size 37" -- 37 inside, 40 1/2 outside various colors you can use a standard size human bed pillow with the 24" Perla bed heavy plastic won't flex or distort with use from even the largest of dogs bottom vents, rubber feet, sides protect from drafts rounded edges so your dog can rest his head comfortably the 24" Perla bed fits my 12 - 47 lb hairless dogs, but is roomier up to 30 lb this is my favorite dog bed
Warm dog beds
	Self-warming thermal dog cushions reflect the pet's own body head back to the animal washable great for hairless dogs
	SleepRight Thermal Cushions made with a revolutionary, lightweight material that reflects a pets own body heat back to the pet great for older dogs, nurturing females as well as pets recovering from illness, injury or bone and joint disease completely machine washable
	Microwave heat pad heat pad for dog beds safe, nontoxic, bite resistant, size 8" place under pet bed, not against skin indoors, outdoors, in the car gentle warmth lasts up to 12 hours