Do labs need a blanket at night

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Do Labradors Like Blankets? (All You Should know)

Blankets are quintessential to comfort and warmth for us indoors, and its no different for labs.

Have you ever wondered why your pooch would lie on a blanket on certain occasions and at other times, they wouldnt even bother needing one. Why is this?

Also, are you concerned about a blankets necessity in terms of what your labs cold tolerance is? We got you covered in this blog post.

Heres whether or not Labradors like blankets:

Labs typically love the comfort and warmth a blanket entails. However, its entirely dependent on their preferences and they dont generally require blankets by necessity as they have a double coat that helps keep them warm. Its important tonote that most labs will do just fine by laying or sleeping on a hard surface.

Lets dive deeper into the reasons and factors behind this before considering a blanket for your beloved lab.

Why do labs like to lay on blankets?

There are many reasons why your lab may take a liking to blankets indoors. Below are the most likely reasons why labs cant get enough of blankets at times.

Comfort

Among the reasons why your pooch loves being draped in a blanket is because of its ultra-soft feel as well as the comfort that comes with it, especially when its cold.

Your lab may also like sleeping on a blanket out of familiarity and routine if you were to leave the blanket accessible to your labs.

Scent

Also, your lab may like lying down on a blanket due to your scent associated to it. Labradors have a stronger sense of smell than us by 40 times, and they may capitalize on this by liking whatever it is that has our scent on them, including blankets.

It would then make them feel calmer and relaxed, especially during our absence indoors.

Deep-rooted Instinct

Your pooch also has its deep-rooted instinct to retreat into a soft and secure environment or shelter so to speak, whenever theyre anxious or possibly ill.

This is due to the fact that dog ancestors used to build dens back in the day to seek refuge from predators and harsh environments.

And your lab may have instinctually mistaken the blanket as a den, figuratively speaking. Which is the same impulse that seeks the comfort and warmth a blanket could provide.

Read also: Why Do Labradors Love Socks? (4 Reasons & 5 Tips Explained)

Rewarded Behavior

Your lab may have a proclivity for blankets or (your blankets) if theyve been constantly rewarded for their behavior whenever theyre on the blankets.

Some owners may unknowingly pet their pooches and leave them playing with their toys on a blanket or a rug, and offering treats thereafter. It will then reinforce their inclinations towards blankets for attention.

Check also: Why Do Labradors Steal Things? (and Food!) What To Do About It?

Do labs really need a blanket by necessity?

Labradors are specifically a colder weather dog and they can generally tolerate cool temperatures really well as they are equipped with a double coat. Unlike other dog breeds, labs will feel cold at about 20F whenever theyre inactive.

With that said, its generally unnecessary for Labs to have blankets under 20F as a rule of thumb as far as its cold tolerance is concerned. This is because their coat normally gets denser and heavier in winter.

But other factors that should be taken into consideration are their age, weight, and dampness.

Older and younger labs do not generally regulate their temperatures well compared to those of their best years. Hence, extra attention to keep them warm and comfortable at night are required.

Similarly, skinny labradors do generally require extra warmth at night than their heavier counterparts as fats act as good natural insulators against cool temperatures.

On the other hand, labs do need an extra bit of warmth at night if theyve just had a bath, went swimming or if theyve been wet a few hours prior.

Any amount of dampness in their fur will allow more heat to escape their undercoats, thus making your pooch susceptible to chills.

In these exceptional circumstances, blankets are a necessity for your pooch.

You might also be interested in Do Labradors Like Rain? (All You Should Know)

What do labs like to lie/sleep on?

You may be wondering what your labrador likes to sleep or lie on because they can get quite random with their sleeping preferences from time to time. They may prefer a blanket today, and a sofa the next day.

For the most part, labradors will lie down on whatever theyre comfortable with. Theyre good with hard surfaces like ceramic or wooden floors as they have a double coat that naturally keeps them warm at night.

After all, labs can tolerate cold really well on their own.

Its important to always prepare a couple of options for your Lab to sleep on to see what it likes the most (at least at the beginning). Over time, theyll choose their preference that suits them the most.

Your pooch would certainly love sleeping on a blanket by your bed as it would have your scent on it, compared to a thicker and bulkier dog bed. Your lab may also love blankets if theyre used to it.

Blankets are a great option if your lab gets a bit cold on the floors during the winter. Otherwise, theyll choose to lay on a comfy sofa instead. Its a matter of your labs preference.

Alternatively, your lab will appreciate cool pads if its scorching hot outside. And theyll most likely prefer to lay on hard surface indoors on a hot day.

Speaking of cold tolerance, you might also want to check out Can Labradors Walk In Snow? (A Comprehensive Guide)

Why dont some labs like blankets?

Some labs wouldnt prefer a blanket as they are already well equipped with a double-layered coat to ward off the coldness. So some of them wont ever need it. Instead, theyd appreciate being left alone on a hard surface.

It also indicates that your pooch doesnt like being smothered by being draped in a blanket. Rather, theyd prefer to choose the sleeping preference that suits them. Its best to provide a dog bed as an alternative option.

It could also mean that your lab isnt used to having a blanket, and thus, it doesnt like it at first. So give it time, and your pooch will gradually favor them for the sake of its comfort.

If the sofa is its preferred place for lying/sleeping, consider placing a blanket on the sofa and see what it does with the blanket.

Furthermore, your lab may not like blankets as a means of comfort because it may perceive blankets as just another chewing object for itself.

Ive had countless experiences where my pooch would chew blankets to shreds, and in other instances where it would hump it. Its best to train your pooch in such instances, and they may take a liking to blankets as soon as their behaviors are corrected.

Recommended reading: Why Are Labradors So Goofy? (8 Lab Behaviors Explained)

The recommended blanket for your Lab

If youre looking for the best blanket out there for your Lab, here are my recommendations. Theres a good chance that your pooch will want a blanket at some point, and I would personally recommend fleecy blankets.

Fleece blankets are generally easy to wash and they dry fairly quick as well. Other than that, its also safer for your Lab just in case it likes to chew or suck on blankets as fleece blankets dont have long strands that may get sucked into your dogs digestive systems compared to traditional fabrics.

Consider getting a fleece blanket like this one here (Amazon). Your lab can never go wrong with it.

Alternatively, if youre sick and tired of your dog chewing on blankets; consider a set of PUPPBUDD Dog Bed (Amazon). This durable and comfortable dog bed will help your Lab sleep more soundly and it comes with various accessories as well.

Sources

PawTracks: Why do dogs sleep under the cover? Fetchpet: Dog-Blankets

Labrador puppy beds and bedding tips and advice for keeping your puppy cosy

The first thing many of us want to buy for our new puppy is a bed. There is so much choice when it comes to Labrador puppy beds. Round ones, square ones, squashy ones. Beds lined with faux fur, tartans and checks. Washable, spongeable, hose able, even waterproof beds. Beds with legs, beds with sides, orthopaedic beds, baskets and blankets to put in them. Where do you begin? Perhaps the very first thing we need to consider, is what puppies do to beds.

What puppies do to beds

Puppies generally, are not kind to their beds. They chew them, have accidents on them, pull out any stuffing, and rip up the covers. What about chew proof beds? you say. Unfortunately there is no such thing as a completely chew proof bed, as the only thing a healthy medium sized adult dog cant chew, is made from material you would not want to sleep on.

There are some pretty tough fabric beds that will resist modest attempts at chewing. But nothing will stop a really determined puppy from working his teeth through the strongest bed, given the time, and the inclination.

Before you dash to your keyboard, to protest that you know of a puppy whose bed was not consigned to the dustbin within a week, I should say, that not all puppies destroy their beds. Some puppies curl up in a tousled heap of puppy gorgeousness surrounded by lovely cushions and soft toys, and never chew a single one. These puppies are rare!

Chew toys for puppies

Giving your puppy plenty of chew toys may help reduce the risk of your puppy devouring his bed, but most puppies still chew their beds, even if given all the right toys. Its just what puppies do. So it makes sense not to spend too much on a puppy bed to begin with

Puppies swallowing bedding

Some puppies unfortunately rip up and actually swallow any kind of bedding. Many times, things that puppies swallow just pass through. But swallowing bedding can cause problems for the puppy if the swallowed pieces get trapped in his digestive system. If your puppy is chewing up his bedding, you need to watch him carefully. Most puppies will spit the bits out, but if your puppy swallows them, you need to take the bedding away.

If you think he has swallowed quite a lot, phone your vet who will advise you on symptoms to watch out for. Contact your vet urgently if your puppy stops eating, seems unwell, or is unable to empty his bowels. If you have one of the few puppies that eats any kind of bedding then youll need to improvise a safe sleeping surface, with tough matting or wood that fits tightly in the crate so he cannot get at the edges. Happily these puppies are quite rare too.

Shopping for puppy beds

The fact that your puppy will probably damage his first bed, is something you need to consider before you head off to your local pet supermarket, or start browsing the online stores.

The less edges the bedding has, the less likely the puppy is to rip it up. And some bedding seems to be less appealing to the puppy to chew.

Although these often look the most tempting, on the whole it is best to avoid deeply and loosely padded cushions with lots of stuffing. Or at least to save them for parts of the house where the puppy will be closely supervised. And probably sensible to wait for a few months before purchasing anything too expensive for your puppy to sleep on. Especially when it comes to crate bedding that he is left alone with during the night.

There are four types of bedding to consider for your new puppy.

Small versions of adult dog beds
Puppy blankets
Puppy crate mats
Vet bedding for puppies

Small Dog Beds

(paid link)If your puppy doesnt rip up his bed, or for places where he is supervised, we recommend a fleecy lined bed with raised sides. Like this one from the ASPCA(paid link) . We also like the cozy donut style beds for puppies. Puppies can really snuggle into these.

Puppy Blankets

(paid link)You can make your own perfectly serviceable puppy bedding from old towels or blankets, cut or fold to fit your crate. Or you can buy pretty puppy blankets(paid link) which are soft and easy to clean. If you are using old blankets, it is a good idea to cut these into sections that will fit easily in the washing machine.

Old baby blankets are ideal as they are always machine washable and usually tumble dry too. If you dont have any old blankets, you can often get them very cheaply from charity shops. The downside of blankets and towels is that many puppies love to chew them, they tend to trap hair, and youll need several layers to make a nice cosy surface.

Puppy crate mats

(paid link)Puppy crate mats(paid link)are specifically designed to fit standard crate sizes.

They are reasonably priced and because they fit the crate without stray edges flapping about, they may be less likely to be chewed than blankets or cushions.

Crate mats are not too bulky, and fit in the washing machine. And dont have a huge amount of stuffing, which may be some comfort is your puppy decides to disassemble his. You will need two mats, so that you have a replacement ready when one is being washed.

Vet bedding for puppies

(paid link)Veterinary bedding(paid link) makes great puppy bedding.

It is made from an artificial fleece fabric. It is washable, tumble dry able, and very hard wearing. It is the ultimate puppy sleeping surface. And most puppies dont seem to chew it with any enthusiasm. It may not look quite as cosy as that snuggly cushion, but it will still be soft and snuggly, long after a cushion has lost its bounce.

Vet bed has a stiffish backing, and very large pieces can be awkward to fit in the washing machine. But you can overlap two smaller pieces in a larger crate, and it softens with repeated washing.

You can buy vet bed on a roll, or ready cut to fit your crate or basket. Many puppies will have been whelped and raised on vet bed, so your puppy will feel nicely at home. All my puppies and older dogs sleep on vet bed. I think it is a marvellous invention, and I wouldnt be without it.

What about you?

What is your favourite puppy bedding? Let us know in the comments below, or join the forum to chat about your new puppy.

(paid link)

More information on puppies

(paid link)For a complete guide to raising a healthy and happy puppy dont miss The Happy Puppy Handbook. The Happy Puppy Handbook covers every aspect of life with a small puppy.

The book will help you prepare your home for the new arrival, and get your puppy off to a great start with potty training, socialisation and early obedience. The Happy Puppy Handbook is available(paid link) worldwide.