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You are definitely your dog's best friend, but a blanket is likely a close second. Whether wrapped in a warm bundle or pridefully parading their favorite fabric around the house, dogs clearly love blankets and the reason why is more science than softness. A puppy’s fondness for their cuddly companion is founded in both psychological and physiological factors. We will further explore the origins below and why it is a healthy practice to encourage #BlanketBehavior. Dogs are ‘Maternal Den’ AnimalsThe ancestors of today’s domesticated canines were born and raised in a maternal den, a small and cozy dwelling providing protection from the dangers of the wild. Since newborn puppies are born deaf, blind, and immobile; mothers would create dens to protect their young against outside elements and potential predators. The den would serve as a safe retreat for the first 10-12 weeks of the litter’s life, until the pups graduated to familiar ‘meeting’ spots, where they could rendezvous with their four-legged friends.1 Fast forward 20,000 years later, dogs have become genetically predisposed to seek comfort in soft and familiar surroundings. This behavior can be noted in many dogs' attachment to their bed or tendency to retreat into their crate when anxious. Companion blankets can also offer this environment, reducing pet anxiety by providing a portable sense of familiarity and safety for a pup on the prowl. Serving as a ‘security blanket’, companion blankets can soothe the pooch in stressful situations. A Keen Sense of Smell for FamiliaritySmell is believed to be a dog's most powerful and important sense. Canines possess up to 300,000,000 olfactory receptors, compared to the 3,000,000 in our noses. Additionally, the part of your best friend’s brain dedicated to evaluating smell is 40 times greater than yours!2 These factors have led scientists to believe that a dog’s sense of smell may be 100,000 times more acute.3 For instance, we might notice if our morning cup of coffee has an extra teaspoon of sugar added to it; however, a dog could detect the same amount of sugar in an Olympic sized swimming pool!4 The superiority of the snout allows dogs to detect and react to seemingly unnoticeable scents and studies have further shown that canines illicit positive physiological responses when they identify familiar smells. When a dog is presented with a variety of scents, the pleasure center in their brain responds most strongly to the scents of their owner and other familiar dogs.5 This research suggests that the familiar smell of a dog's blanket can reduce anxiety and evoke a positive emotional response. Furthermore, seasoning the blanket with the scent of a puppy's mother or the familiar smell of an owner can put your pooch at ease in stressful situations. How to Encourage #BlanketBehaviorWe are now on the same page, a blanket can and should be a dog's other best friend and can evoke happiness or serve as a means of comfort in stressful situations. So how can we use companion blankets to improve the lives of our loved ones? Follow the steps below:
ConclusionCompanion blankets offer a safe environment, reducing pet anxiety by providing a portable sense of warmth and safety for pups on the prowl. Ensure you have a ‘seasoned’ blanket on hand for stressful situations. Need a new blanket now? Click here to shop our companion blankets made from safe materials. Sources
If you are like many of our customers, your pets have their own Minky blanket or two, or even more to snuggle up in. Your four-legged friends, fur babies or whatever you refer to your pets as love blankets just as much as you do. But have you ever wondered why your dogs love sleeping with blankets? If so, we've rounded up some answers for you. Why do dogs sleep under blankets?Some of the main reasons dogs sleep under blankets can be linked back to their ancestry. Certain dog breeds, like dachshunds, were bred to flush small animals out of their burrows for hunters. They like to burrow into a snuggly blanket due to those tunneling instincts. Other dogs, like huskies, come from cold weather and harsh climates. Their ancestors would bury themselves under the snow in order to stay warm. Another reason why your canine likes cuddling with you is because they are pack animals. They like to be close to their family which is you! Snuggling up close to you can help your dog feel comfortable and safe, how sweet! Can dogs breathe under blankets?Your dog should be just fine snuggling up and sleeping under blankets, though accidents can happen. If they aren't able to breathe well, they will find a way out of that situation for themselves. If you are worried, consider a lighter weight blanket for your pup. Keep in mind that if a blanket is too heavy or makes you feel too warm, your pet will likely feel the same. Some types of blankets may seem more breathable due to gaps in fabric and fibers. While air may flow better through these blankets, that does not necessarily make them a safer choice. Your dog may get tangled up and stuck in this type of blanket.
Do Dogs need blankets?Yes and no depending on your dog and it's sleeping environment. Some dogs can stay perfectly warm with their furry coats while others might need some extra help. If your dog spends a lot of time outside it may be smart to provide them with a heating pad or blanket to help them stay warm. Whereas if your pup is inside most of the time, they may not need a blanket for warmth, though they might like having one to snuggle with. You may also want to consider giving your dog a blanket after a trip to the groomers if their fur is significantly shorter. We would love to see pictures of your furry friends snuggled up in their Minky Couture blankets. Please share your pets love of Minky Couture on your social media pages with hashtag #minkycouture. Sewn with love, 
As humans, we all know the drill. After a long, hard day working, maintaining a home, or taking care of children, we cannot wait to slide under our fresh sheets and a comfy blanket and snuggle into bed. But apparently, we’re not the only ones. Some dogs love to follow in our footsteps, practically demanding that we let them head-on under the covers alongside us. Which leads us to this question: why does my dog sleep under the covers? If you’re curious about this same thing, you’re not alone. And the reasons behind this behavior might surprise you! Why Do Some Dogs Sleep Under Blankets?In some ways, your dog sleeping under the covers is similar to it hiding under your bed. But there are a few other reasons behind the act that you may not have expected. InstinctYour dog likely seeks shelter under your covers simply due to its instinct. In the wild, dogs spend most of their time outside. Whether they’re hunting for food or searching for water, they typically travel from place to place in the open. However, when it’s time to rest, wild dog packs will often seek shelter in natural dens or caves. Dens and caves provide them with protection from the elements. Your dog may feel comfortable under the blankets because the shelter and darkness mimic their instinct to find cover while resting. You probably see evidence of this instinct in other forms as well. For example, many dogs do a couple of circles before they plop down on their bed or the couch. That’s another instinct that comes from bedding down in long grass. Digging is yet another natural urge – one that your bedding could probably go without! Specific dog breeds also have a natural need to burrow. Breeds like Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes may burrow because they have roots in cold areas. These dogs would burrow in the snow for warmth. Other breeds, like Terriers, burrow due to their instinct to hunt small prey. AnxietyIf your dog only crawls under your covers on certain occasions, such as when it’s sick or there’s a loud thunderstorm outside, it may be due to anxiety. Anxious dogs not only want to be close to you when they are feeling scared or stressed, but they also enjoy the sensation of being covered and compressed. You may have seen thunder jackets advertised for anxious dogs. These jackets offer compression, much like a calming hug, that helps relax dogs. Going under the covers can have that same impact. WarmthIt almost seems too easy an answer, but sometimes your dog just wants to be warm! Chances are, if you’re cold, your dog may be chilly too. And even if your dog isn’t cold, it might just enjoy the additional heat – just for comfort’s sake. Warmth might be the primary reason your dog burrows under the covers if you notice that it does so more often during colder seasons and chilly days. Your pup might love the covers during the winter but prefer to sleep on top of the bedspread in the summer. You may also notice this behavior more with smaller dogs or dogs with thin coats, as they get colder easier. In addition, if your dog is getting up there in years, it may be having a difficult time regulating its temperature. If your dog has never slept under your covers before but is starting several years into its lifetime, it may need the extra warmth in its older age. ClosenessSome of your dog’s behavior is connected to their instincts as a former wild animal. However, much of what they do is learned behavior. Your dog watches you snuggle into bed every night, indicating that it’s time to rest. So, your dog follows suit. Not only are they learning from you, but they want to be close to you. And as every dog owner knows, sometimes close means on top of you. Some dogs aren’t comfortable unless they’re physically touching their owners – even if it means sharing a pillow with you. Their love is unconditional and unlimited, and sometimes that manifests itself in physical closeness and nightly snuggles. In short, your dog feels safe, secure, and comfortable with you under your duvet. Is It Safe for My Dog to Sleep Under the Covers All Night?It’s typically perfectly safe for your dog to sleep under the covers all night. Your dog can breathe just fine. And if it starts having trouble breathing or gets uncomfortable, your dog will move, just like humans. Dogs are great at taking care of themselves with things like this, so there’s no need to worry about them suffocating. You may find that your dog initially falls asleep under the covers, only to move during the night to lay on top of them. Your dog may also stick its nose or head out from under the covers, leaving the rest of its body covered. As a rule of safety, it’s best not to allow your dog to sleep under weighted blankets. These types of covers can be very heavy and may inhibit your dog’s breathing. Your dog may not realize the difference and it can become dangerous. At the very least, your dog may panic and start chewing your blanket. Weighted blankets are not cheap, so it’s best to try to avoid this altogether for both practical reasons and safety. How Can I Stop My Dog From Sleeping Under the Covers?While some dog owners don’t mind sharing their beds and blankets with their furry friends, others don’t prefer it. After all, your dog can take up a lot of space. They also tend to move around and reposition themselves throughout the night, which can disturb your sleep cycle. Not to mention, they often bring dirt and fur into the bed that can get all over your sheets. Not everyone wants to sleep in that! Getting your dog to sleep in a specific location takes time, just like any other kind of training. Be patient and try some of these tips. Set Up a New Sleeping SpotRather than just kicking your dog off the bed and leaving it to find its new spot, try setting up a comfortable, attractive sleeping spot for it. If your dog likes to sleep near you, you can set up a dog bed on the floor next to your bed. If your dog is particularly fond of blankets, you can even give it an old blanket to call its own. Be sure to use a blanket you don’t care about, as it will likely get torn, chewed, and dirty. Offer Treats and PraiseOnce you have a new sleeping spot set up, have your dog lay down there. Give it lots of praise, including a couple of treats. You can also try to encourage your dog to sleep there by giving it its favorite toy. Choose a word that indicates it’s time for your dog to go to its bed. You can say something like bedtime, sleep, bed, lay down, etc. Just make sure you stick to one word or phrase. Continue practicing this as long as necessary. Final ThoughtsEvery dog has a unique personality, and sometimes that personality includes little quirks – like sleeping under the covers. If it doesn’t bother you, then there’s usually nothing to worry about. Your dog likely feels comfortable and at home under the covers, safe with you. |
Why do dogs like to cuddle under blankets
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