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Urban Outfitters’ New Line of Chic Dog Beds Is Making Us Sleepy!

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic
Published:  November 1st, 2018
Is your pooch’s lounging spot an eyesore? These trendy dog beds from Urban Outfitters will definitely add some pizzazz to your living room.


For years, all types of pet furniture looked alike. Whether you were buying a cat condo for your pampered feline or a cozy bed for your canine friend, chances are that there weren’t that much different in terms of design. Naturally, that design was never stylish; but things are changing for the better. Pet parents are a powerful spending force on the market, and companies are stepping up to meet their needs. The most recent retailer to jump on the bandwagon is Urban Outfitters, that just recently released a line of absolutely stunning dog beds.

The stylish beds feature attractive geometrical patterns and plant-inspired prints. The top part of this large comfy pillow is fleece, and the bottom is a durable, waterproof textile blend. To boot, once your pooch gets their new bed dirty (and they will, eventually), you can easily remove the cover and toss it in the washing machine. No fuss needed!

This fashionable line of pet furniture is a dream come true for a style-conscious pet parent. Not only you won’t have to hide away your pooch’s bed whenever you have visitors, but these modern lounge spots are sure to add visual interest to the room. Of course, the fact that these large and comfy beds make a perfect napping place for a dog doesn’t guarantee that your pooch will prefer them to your sofa. Hey, these beds are pretty, but they’re not magical.


With the pet industry booming and millennials pampering their pets like there’s no tomorrow, we can only expect more fab pet products. After all, we all think our furry besties deserve the best the market has to offer- so why not the prettiest, too? If you’re on the lookout for snazzy new bed for your four-legged companion, make sure to check these gorgeous designs. The price tag for these pretty pet beds ranges from $99 to $129.

WOW
Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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After 11 Long Years, a Cat That Was Presumed Dead Returns Home

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Say hello to the Lancashire heeler - the American Kennel Club’s 201st recognized dog breed and the newest member of the Herding group. Although small in stature, Lancashire heelers are active and sturdy dogs ready to compete with 200 other dog breeds at thousands of U.S dog shows.“A small, powerful herding dog that thrives on human interaction, this breed would make a great companion for active families that can provide a great deal of love and attention," said Gina DiNardo, American Kennel Club’s Executive Secretary.These small dogs have long bodies and short coats, often black and tan or liver and tan. The Lancashire heeler is a solidly built dog that is around one foot (30 centimeters) tall at the shoulders and weighs up to 17 pounds (7.7 kilograms). Traditionally, Lancashire heelers worked on farms as ratters and herders. Today, these feisty dogs participate in various canine sports and pursuits.“They are gritty little dogs, and they are very intelligent little dogs,” said Patricia Blankenship, who has bred Lancashire heelers for over a decade. “It’s an enjoyable little breed to be around,” she added. The official breed standard calls for Lancashire heelers to be courageous, happy, and affectionate to owner. The owners of these pooches say that happy heelers sometimes pull their lips back and smile. These small but powerful dogs won’t be content to lounge around all the time. They are highly energetic and just as skilled in performance sports as they are in conformation. Lancashire heelers can be found competing in agility, herding, obedience, rally, barn hunt, tracking, disk dog, dock diving, and therapy trials. “There are even a couple that have competed in Earth dog and weight-pull events,” said Sheryl Bradbury, President of the United States Lancashire Heeler Club (USLHC), according to AKC. “It’s a breed that will work hard all day and is happy to curl up at your side and watch the TV news at night.”“The breed is different but in a good way,” said Jeff Kestner, Club Chair of Judges’ Education Committee. “It’s not a run-of-the-mill dog. Its eyes and expression are like magnets. Being a herding breed it's extremely intelligent - it definitely needs a job to do.” According to Bradbury, the biggest misconception about the Lancashire heeler is that it’s adorable and sweet and the perfect size to sit on your lap. “I always caution the buyers to not let a puppy’s cuteness fool you. The minute it is off your lap it may be chewing your shoes or nipping at your heels. Conversely, it will be your loyal best friend.”This cute breed often develops a strong bond with one household member. They will like to interact with the entire family but will pick a favorite person. “It is great with children as long as the children understand how to respect the dog,” added Bradbury. The breed’s origin is packed with mystery but they were first bred in the United Kingdom. The Lancashire heeler is regarded as a “vulnerable native breed” and faces extinction in its homeland. The United Kingdom’s Kennel Club has added an average of just 121 Lancashire heelers to its registry in recent years.Being recognized as a dog breed doesn’t mean that the breed in question is newly created. To officially recognize the Lancashire heeler, the American Kennel Club required proof of a minimum of 20 litters bred with a three-generation pedigree. This guarantees that the breed is established and sustainable. According to Bradbury, there are around 400 Lancashire heelers nationwide but there’s no doubt we’ll see more of these dogs in the future. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

American Airlines Makes It Easier To Travel With Pets

They say to travel is to live, but deciding to leave a beloved pet at home can make you feel guilty - and bringing them along on an adventure can be tough on the bank account. No one truly wants to leave their four-legged best friend behind and figure out whether to hire a pet sitter or look for a boarding facility, but airlines don’t always make it easy for pet parents to travel with their fur babies.Finally, there’s some good news for pet parents and their four-legged companions! American Airlines has changed their pet policy, making it easier and more affordable for pet owners to fly with their fur babies.“On flights with American, you can bring one pet carrier as a carry-on if: You pay the carry-on pet fee; Your pet stays in the pet carrier and under the seat in front of you the entire flight,” shared American Airlines’ on their website. The company added that passengers can also bring “only one additional item on board with your pet” which can be a small personal item like a handbag or a purse, or a carry-on bag that meets the airline’s requirements and fits in the overhead bin compartment. The important thing to note is that you can only bring one with your pet carrier, not both.In the past, people who traveled with pets could only bring one small personal item abroad, which could fit under the seat. Anything bigger than that - for example, a larger carry-on bag that usually goes in the overhead bin - had to be checked, which was an additional $35. As an alternative, pet owners could transport their pets in the cargo hold if they wanted to take a bigger bag with them on the flight. Thanks to recent policy changes, people traveling with pets can now bring a pet aboard and choose whether they’ll travel with a carry-on bag or a personal item. At the same time, no changes to American Airlines' pet travel fee have been made. According to the company’s website, the fee remains fixed at $150 and applies per kennel, each way. For now, pet strollers must be checked at the ticket counter, and all checked bag fees apply. There are a few things to keep in mind before flying off into the sunset with your four-legged friend. All airlines are different. Every airline has its own policies for traveling with pets, so be sure to check the specific restrictions and fees on your flight before you book the tickets. Southwest, JetBlue, Delta, Alaska, and United are a few other airlines that allow pet travel, but each has its own travel requirements. Each airline specifies what pets can travel where. There are also limitations on the number of pets a passenger can bring abroad on different aircrafts. Only two pets in the same carrier can come aboard for American Airlines flights. Don’t forget that capacity is limited, meaning that checked pets are accepted on a first-come basis. Country-based restrictions also apply, and people traveling with pets should check and understand destination restrictions when traveling abroad.Lastly, whatever airline you decide to fly with, you have to find your pet an airline-compliant carrier. Without the right pet carrier, your fur baby won’t be able to fly on a plane with you. There is a lot to think about when traveling with a pet. But all will become worth it when you touch down and start making fun and exciting travel memories with your four-legged companion. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Study Reveals Older Dogs Who Sleep Badly May Have Dementia

It’s hard to watch a beloved dog get old, as it seems like only yesterday your senior pooch was a teething puppy with a penchant for chewing your slippers. The American Kennel Club, the expert on all doggy things, says that most small breeds become seniors between the ages of seven and 10. Larger breeds age faster than their small counterparts and are considered old when they are six years old. Like old people, senior dogs can get dementia.As they age, dogs can develop canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS), a condition that is very similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. Scientists have long known that people with dementia can find it harder to get to sleep. Now, researchers from North Carolina State University have discovered that senior dogs with dementia experience the same sleep problems as people with dementia. “Just like humans with Alzheimer's disease, dogs with CCDS, experience sleep disruptions, such as insomnia, and sleep fragmentation,” said senior study author Dr. Natasha Olby, a professor of veterinary neurology, neurosurgery, and gerontology at North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine. To discover whether sleep problems are a sign of early dementia in dogs, as they are in people, Dr. Olby and her team used a group of senior dogs who were part of an ongoing trial testing antiaging supplements. Scientists selected 28 dogs between the ages of 10 and 16 to participate in the new sleep study. To be included in the antiaging study, the dog must have lived more than 75% of the expected lifespan for their breed. The dogs also couldn’t suffer from arthritis or be blind, as they needed to complete tasks designed to test their cognitive abilities. Scientists evaluated each dog’s cognitive abilities by having them perform a series of tests and asking their owners to fill out a list of questions, known as the Canine Dementia Scale Questionnaire.In the new study, researchers used polysomnography, a form of electroencephalogram (EEG) used to diagnose sleep problems in people. The researchers affixed electrodes on the dogs’ skulls using a water-soluble gel and recorded brain activity during a two-hour nap. “Past sleep studies in dogs often involved surgically implanted electrodes,” said Alejandra Mondino, a postdoctoral researcher at North Carolina State University. “Non-invasive studies are relatively new. We are one of a handful of groups doing this work.”When results from cognitive testing were compared to sleeping brain waves, researchers discovered that dogs with more advanced dementia took longer to fall asleep and spent less time sleeping. “These dogs have dementia and sleep disruption is a part of that,” said Mondino. “In addition to the shorter time spent sleeping, when we look at the EEG, we saw their brain activity during sleep was more akin to wakefulness. In other words, when they do manage to sleep, their brains aren’t really sleeping.”These results don’t explain the link between sleep and dementia, but studies like this one may help scientists to better understand the process and find ways to treat it. “There’s a possibility we might be able to identify an early signature of change on the EEG that can tell us ‘Hey, things are starting to slide’. Because with a chronic neurodegenerative process, of course, we’d love to be able to intervene sooner rather than later,” said Olby according to CNN Health.Until that happens, veterinarians can prescribe medications for anxiety and melatonin for sleep to senior dogs with cognitive decline. Diet and exercise also appear to be a factor. Studies have shown that diets rich in flavonoids, antioxidants, and medium-chain fatty acids could potentially slow the development of dementia in dogs. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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