Commonly Asked Questions About Ballistic Dog Beds

Make it Armored! Nothing is truly indestructible when it comes to a persistent dog who likes to chew but the K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored bed is the closest thing to it. We’ve built a line of dog beds that have a metal, chew proof armored frame built in. This Armored frame prevents dogs from accessing the fabric. Significantly strengthening our beds and prolonging the life of your dogs' bed. 

For more information on this topic check out: What makes your Chew Proof Armored Collection virtually indestructible?

Making your dog more comfortable is an easy thing to do. You only need to watch them when they sleep to realize what kind of sleeper, they are… a sprawler, curler, or maybe a leaner? Once you determine that, you can move on to mattress type: nesting or orthopedic. Finally, once you figured out these things, adding a nice soft blanket on their bed that they can “nest “ with goes a long way to enhancing your dog’s comfort and assures a better night’s sleep. 

For more information on this topic check out: What type of mattress is better for my dog?

The first thing you can do is stop buying cheap store-bought beds. We’ve created two extremely tough line of dog beds by cutting out any attributes that didn’t add value and doubling down on the things that did. All our fabrics were designed by us, specifically for a dog’s lifestyle. If your dog is extremely tough on their bed, you need a K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored bed. These armor framed beds prevent dogs from getting the edges and corners of beds and mats into their mouths. After choosing a bed that will stand up to your pup, you still need to address the issues that may be causing this destructive behavior. Most chewing comes down to two types: Anxiety-Induced or Boredom-Induced. 

For tips on how to stop chewing from these types of issues check out: How do I stop my dog from tearing up his bed? or  Why do dogs chew? or Why Puppies Chew And How You Can Stop This Behavior or Homemade Calming Treat Recipe

The best dog bed filling is foam. Most cheap beds are filled with polyester fiber. Have you ever heard of a human bed stuffed with fiber? Neither have we, so why would you buy one for your dog? We offer two dog bed mattress options made from clean, CertiPUR-US American made foam: Nesting and Orthopedic. Our nesting beds are made from shredded foam creating cloud like comfort. Our orthopedic mattress are made from a solid piece of quality for more of a consistent, all-over support. 

For more information on this topic check out: What type of mattress is better for my dog?

The best fabric for a dog’s bed is one that was designed specifically for a dog’s lifestyle. Most companies chose fabrics that someone else has designed for another purpose. Our proprietary rip-stop ballistic fabric was engineered by us, specifically for a dog’s lifestyle. It’s densely woven, durable construction can take a beating from a dog’s nails. It’s waterproof, preventing moisture from accidents or wet dogs from reaching the mattress. It’s rip-stop, preventing tears from spreading, should one start. It’s odor resistant due to the properties of the synthetic fibers we use. We’ve designed the surface to be smooth, so fur doesn’t cling and is easily brushed off. 

 For more information on this topic check out: K9 Ballistics Fabrics: What makes them different?

What makes a good quality dog bed is not only the quality of the fabrics we use but listening to what our customers need. We’ve created Chew Proof Armored and Tough & Durable dog bed lines for pups that are rough on their beds. Beds that are built to last a long time, not just a few months. Every dog deserves a bed and we’ll never stop improving our designs and and our fabrics, using our own experience as lifelong pet parents and your feedback as our north star for what matters most for our dogs. 

For more information on this topic check out: K9 Ballistics Fabrics: What makes them different? or Best Dog Bed For My Dog's Breed or What type of mattress is better for my dog?

How thick a dog bed should be is determined by a few factors. The first factor is the weight of your dog. Regardless of how big your dog is, you should never be able to feel the floor through the bed. An easy way to test this, is to get on the bed yourself. The second factor is the quality of the mattress. We suggest a foam mattress over a fiber filled one. Foam provides more support. Please not that all foam is not created equal. Foam density plays a big part in the support a foam mattress will provide. Cheap foam cannot withstand heavy compression while maintaining its support, comfort, or shape over time. This means orthopedic properties are lost and the mattress can no longer protect sensitive pressure points. K9 Ballistics CertiPUR-US, American made mattresses are made with a foam density chosen specifically for a dog’s anatomy, pointy elbows and weight concentrated in the shoulders and hips. Beware of the cheap, Chinese made dog beds that may seem like a great buy at first glance. Once you get them home and and your dog uses it, it will quickly flatten. There is no way around the expense it takes to manufacture foam with the appropriate density that provides proper support, but rest assured that quality foam will last. K9 Ballistics offers a 10 year no flatten guarantee on their orthopedic mattresses. Shopping for large dog breeds is not always as simple as heading down to your local big box retailer. What they call XL doesn’t come close to being suitable for the largest dogs. K9 also offers a 7” thick version of their orthopedic beds for the largest breeds that may require an extra bit of support. 

For more information on this topic check out: What type of mattress is better for my dog?

Persistent chewers can get through almost any material. Kevlar is dangerous for dogs because even if the fibers are not broken, they can be separated from the fabric. When long fibers are ingested, the have a greater chance of getting tied up in a dog’s intestines, potentially creating a blockage which could lead to severe consequences. We recommend avoiding companies that use Kevlar threads in bedding products made for dogs. K9 Ballistics fabrics are strong and strong fabrics are necessary for making durable dog beds, but our tested construction techniques also go along way designing bedding for dogs that will last a long time. 

For more information on this topic check out: K9 Ballistics Fabrics: What makes them different?

There aren’t many things a dog won’t chew. Chewing is perfectly normal behavior for dogs. It’s a way for them to explore their environment. K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored products are the closest thing to indestructible due to its design. Chewing hotspots were top of mind when we built an armored frame into these beds. Although we strive to make the strongest, most durable, and safest products available for our pups, experienced pet parents must understand that a determined persistent chewer can eventually get through almost anything. As with any product you give your dog, if they have a history of destroying or ingesting objects, supervision is highly recommended. 

 For more information on this topic check out: What kind of chewer do I have? or Chew Proof vs. Tough & Durable

Digging, scratching, and moving bedding around is an instinctual behavior common to most dogs. This instinct comes from your dog’s innate habit of moving at piles of leaves, dirt, or pine needles in their dens out in the wild. They move these materials around to create a natural, comfortable bed. When your dog moves their blankets or other bedding around, their natural behavior is taking over. Your dog is working to create a warm, comfortable “nest” to sleep in. We refer to this behavior as “nesting”. Another reason for this natural nesting behavior is territorial. When a dog scratches or paws at something, there is a distinct scent left behind due to a gland located on their paws, specifically between their toes. They are working to mark their territory and let other dogs know that this bed is theirs. 

 For more information on this topic check out: What type of mattress is better for my dog?

When choosing a dog bed, make sure the bed you decide on has a washable and removable cover. Removable covers, especially on larger beds, make wash day so much easier. Larger breeds obviously have more surface area for dirt to cling to and also tend to drool more than smaller breeds, so you’ll want something that can be spot cleaned or removes easily and can be thrown in the washing machine. Following washing instructions will help make sure that your dogs gear has a long life. In general, washing in cold or warm water with mild laundry soap (non-toxic, biodegradable types preferred) and tumble drying on the lowest heat or air-drying when possible are the best ways to prolong the life of your dog’s bed. Wash your beds, covers, and other products only when it’s necessary, you’ll conserve water, minimize wear and tear on your stuff in the process. K9 Ballistics fabrics are designed to be spot cleaned, consider using a rag or sponge to spot clean rather than putting it through a machine cycle.

K9 Ballistics Fabrics: What makes them different?

Although we set out to make beds that are indestructible, there are some dogs that can chew through almost anything. No one has built the bed no dog can destroy but we’re darn close. We’ve created our K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored beds as a last resort for those pups that have destroyed everything else. We’ve created our Chew Proof Armored dog bed line for those pups that are chewers. These beds are armored because they have a metal frame that keeps dogs from accessing corners and edges of their bed. They come in raised and floor models, with stuffing or without, and offer great support and insulation. Every dog deserves a bed and we’ll never stop improving our designs and and our fabrics, using our own experience as lifelong pet parents and your feedback as our north star for what matters most for our dogs. 

 For more information on indestructible beds check out: What makes your Chew Proof Armored Collection virtually indestructible?

Although we strive to make the strongest, most durable, and safest products available for our pups, experienced pet parents must understand that a determined persistent chewer can eventually get through almost anything. Our K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored beds are built to stop persistent chewers. These beds are armored with a metal frame that keeps dogs from accessing the fabric. They come in several different models, all offering support and comfort.Every dog deserves a bed and we aim to build products that can stand up to persistent chewers. As with any product you give your dog, if they have a history of destroying or ingesting objects, supervision is highly recommended. 

 For more information on this topic check out: What makes your Chew Proof Armored Collection virtually indestructible?

Depending on what type of toughness your dog needs, we make two types of tough beds, one for everyday toughness and one for those dogs that chew. The two toughest styles of beds for these different dogs are:Persistent chewers need Chew Proof Armored Products, built for dogs who have destroyed every other bed. Continually chewing until bedding is in pieces. Tough & Durable Products were designed for those dogs who play rough with their beds. Made to stand up to sharp nails and numerous washes.The toughest beds can be found in our K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored line. They are a last resort for those pups that have destroyed everything else. We’ve created our Chew Proof Armored dog bed line for those pups that are chewers. These beds are armored because they have a metal frame that keeps dogs from accessing corners and edges of their bed. They come in raised and floor models, with stuffing or without, and offer great support and insulation. 

 For more information on this tough dog beds check out: What makes your Chew Proof Armored Collection virtually indestructible? or Chew Proof vs. Tough & Durable

Chewing is perfectly normal behavior for dogs, but it becomes problematic when your pup starts destroying the furniture, their dog bed, or your favorite pair of shoes. Some dogs chew out of boredom, other chewing habits may go deeper and could be tied to anxiety. A few reasons dogs chew are:TeethingEnvironmental StressorsCompulsive BehaviorExcitementSeparation AnxietyMost chewing behavior comes down to two types: Anxiety Induced or Boredom Induced. 

For more information about these two types of chewers and how to stop them, check out: How do I stop my dog from tearing up his bed?