Perfect for outside!
I have two Italian Greyhounds who love to lounge in the sun. I got terribly tired of moving their "inside" beds in and out, often forgetting them and having them wind up getting rained on, etc. Tired of washing their fabric beds for the 100th time, I purchased this bed as a permanent outside solution, and I couldn't be more pleased. Both dogs can share this medium sized bed (they are <20 lbs. each) with room to stretch out. In the month we've had it, I haven't had to do anything to it. The mesh fabric stays clean and it dries in a flash if it gets wet. The frame and fabric appear plenty sturdy for my two dogs, who together weigh just under 40 lbs. Assembly is very easy--my three year old even helped.
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So far, so good!
Have had the coolaroo for over two weeks. Larz from Mars, the sunbathing mutt, seems happy. My other dog, hotblooded and furry, likes to lounge underneath the coolaroo periodically. I like that it is lightweight and easy to reposition. My mom's dog likes Larz' coolaroo so well that we've had to order one for her too.
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Great for Arthritic Dogs, too!
Although this product advertises the coolness aspect, I've found it to be a great bed for my 16-year-old (that's 95 to you and me) Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. The Coolaroo pet bed is essentially a cot, about 7 inches off the ground. It comes in three sizes; for our 40-lb. dog, I got the medium size, which allows Teddy to lay comfortably on his side, stretched out.
The cot takes pressure off the dog's joints by providing a springy base. I've paired it with a egg-foam crate bed, on top, and put slip-proof material between the Coolaroo and the egg foam, so Ted doesn't slip around. The cot material is a bit slippery for an old dog to handle, and the material will sag under his feet, as if he's on a trampoline. Even Teddy has little trouble getting on and off of it. For a younger dog, I'd put a regular pet bed on top of it for indoor or outdoor use. In hot weather, I'd use it by itself outdoors. In cold weather indoors, I'd put a blanket or pet bed on it.
I put the bed together in minutes with one flat-head screwdriver and a friend. It does require two people to assemble the bed; to prevent twisting during assembly, assemble it on a flat surface, in position (upright, as it would sit when assembled). The helper will need to hold down the frame while the last screw goes in. Some users on other sites have reported twisting of the frame during assembly. It does tend to twist when you put the last screw in, so be careful and keep it flat while you tighten the last screw. Also, ensure that the threads on the last screw go in straight.
After "forcibly" laying the dog on the bed the first time, Teddy has taken to it well. he uses it nightly, and often during the day (at 95, he sleeps a lot).
This product has spared us sleeplessness, however. Ted used to get up hourly every night just to pace, as if it was painful for him to lay on the hard floor for extended periods, even with thick pillow-beds or blankets. I can tell he is more comfortable on the Coolaroo, because he snores again in this bed, and sleeps for hours.
This product is easy to put together, reasonably priced, and easily accommodates a 40-pound dog. The Coolaroo keeps the pet off the hot or cold floor, and supports an old dog comfortably. I use this product indoors.
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