hi, does anyone know where i could get a reasonably priced bed for my akita madison? i seen one i liked in pets at home but it was 60quid and i just think thats a tad pricey

Ebay is always good for bed bargains :-)

Do you have a local Sunday market. They often have pet stalls with large, cheap dog beds. Went to my local one and got a very large bed for 8 pound!

What type of bed are you looking for?

a soft indoor one

From experience, cheap dog beds tend not to last long.  So you end up spending just as much money because you have to replace them frequently.

I would recommend a Tuffie bed: 

www.tuffies.co.uk

Definitely not the cheapest option, but very long-lasting, easy to clean and comfortable.

I also highly recommend Tuffies as the most hard wearing practical option.  Saves money in the long run too :)

Alternatively buy cheap single duvets and covers and just fold into a pad.   Relatively easy to wash and not too expensive to replace

I make cheapo dog beds for my lot with the duvet method. A kind lady at the Salvation Army gives me the duvets for £1 each and fabric comes up on my local freecycle a lot so it's nearly free.
It's dead simple if you have a sewing machine. Just fold the duvet in half, then half again, lay your fabric on top and draw the shape you need to cut (twice), sew these together (wrong side facing out) leaving one end open. Put duvet pad into the giant pillowcase thingy you have made and then sew up the open end.
For an Akita I would use a double duvet.
I agree with the others though on the whole, cheap beds don't really last. I've got a raised bed for my sheltie and it's well worth the money, the dogs love it, even my big lurcher crams himself onto it!

> I make cheapo dog beds for my lot with the duvet method.

Same here. Due to the size of my dog he needs a big bed, I have 2 single duvets, each folded in half for him, on top of each other. On top of that I have a deflated li-lo (to act as a water-prrof sheet as he wees his bed :( ), on top of that I have a cheap, thin dog bed that can be shoved in the washing machine when needed. Underneath the bottom duvet I have a non-slip mat, which helps stop the bed slipping on the laminate flooring.

If you go down the duvet route, you'd be suprised how many family menebers are happy to donate an old duvet that has been taking up space in thie airing cupboard :)

ETA, the duvets are put in a duvet cover, after being folded, so it keeps them neat & tidy.

Please please be very careful with the filling you use if your dogs are chewers.    I make no apology for repeating that we lost two of our darling flatcoats to   peritonitis when they chewed their 'Kudos'   beds and ate the filling, which acted like cheesewire on their intestines, the vet told me :-(   It all happened so quickly.

Jo

> we lost two of our darling flatcoats to   peritonitis when they chewed their 'Kudos'   beds and ate the filling, which acted like cheesewire on their intestines, the vet told me

OH my gosh, how awfull :( :( :(

I remember reading your post about that when it happened, it was so sad. x

I've always liked the look of these - not bought one yet but it's on my wishlist!
Zippy Relaxer bed

If you are a member, I got mine from coscto for about £20.  The outer layer unzips and can be washed easily.  I have a boxer and it's easily big enough for him so should accomodate an akita.

Please please be very careful with the filling you use if your dogs are chewers.    I make no apology for repeating that we lost two of our darling flatcoats to   peritonitis when they chewed their 'Kudos'   beds and ate the filling, which acted like cheesewire on their intestines, the vet told me :-(   It all happened so quickly.

Jo, I always tell the dog owners coming to my class about the dangers of the beds since your tragedy.

Dis you get sorted out for a bed?
Today I found a bargain on 'petsupermarket' site.
Touchdog smart sleeper, of which I already have one and it is fab, a touchdog smart sleeper.
They appear to be running out fast and with £30 to £60 off well worth a look.

Karen :)

Blimey, bargains indeed Karen. Have been cursing some of my old beds, so have just ordered a couple - thanks for tip.

M.

:)  :)  :)

Tuffies here I have just brough two for our's and thats fab.

Recently bought 2 Tuffies for my two. They didn't want to sleep on them at first (used to oval plastic type) but they love them now. Super easy to keep clean, just brush dirt off & wipe over, take up much less space than other types of bed I've used before. I just put a piece of vetbed over just to cosy up a bit, job done!

Have used old duvets before, ideal especially in plastic beds.

If you have dogs that don't like the feel/sound of Tuffies then fitted terry-towelling cot sheets work well

I have 6 Tuffies between 3 dogs with another on my shopping list for Crufts (to save postage) - we love 'em :)

Cant believe 'pet supermaket', my new favourite. :)
The parcel was delivered today.......wow...........24 hours after placing the order.
Considering my location I'm amazed.

Karen :)