When to replace a dog bed: five signs not to ignore

No dog bed lasts forever. Most dogs use theirs every day for years, and the materials can lose their resilience long before the cover begins to look worn.

1. The filling no longer springs back Press your palm into the centre of the bed. If the indentation has not disappeared within a minute, the filling is no longer supporting your dog and their joints are bearing the strain.

2. Your dog sleeps outside the bed A change in their favourite sleeping spot is often the first sign. Your dog may instinctively be seeking a firmer, more even surface.

3. It still smells after washing If the odour remains after washing the cover, it has soaked into the filling. That cannot be washed out.

4. The cover is damaged A split seam or broken zip means your dog may be able to reach the filling. If only the cover is damaged, replace the cover rather than the entire bed.

5. Your dog has grown or aged After a year, a puppy may need a different size. A senior dog needs a lower entry and a thicker core.

How to extend its lifespan Wash the cover once a month at 30 °C, rotate the bed from time to time and allow it to air-dry completely. A spare cover means your dog never has to go a day without their bed.