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The dog’s sleeping behavior

Mar 11, 2025 | Dogs, General

Sleeping dog with pillow on the divan

Nothing is more calming than watching your dog sleep. Observing his sleeping habits, how relaxed he is lying in front of you and wondering what he is dreaming about. How many photos do you have on your phone of your dog lying deeply relaxed on his bed? Have you ever thought about why he sleeps on his stomach, back or side? And what these sleeping positions say about your dog?

We have put together a few things here; we wanted to know how dogs sleep, what sleeping position do they like and do dogs actually dream?

The different sleeping and lying positions for dogs.

The side sleeper

The side sleeping position exudes a lot of calm and serenity. Many dogs love this position. They feel very comfortable and completely at home in their surroundings. Dogs also like to use this sleeping behavior in the summer to cool down on the cool ground after sunbathing, playing or romping.

Sleeping behavior of the dog - side sleeper

Side sleeper position: The dog lies very relaxed on his dog cushion and radiates calmness.

The Fox Roll

This sleeping position is popular with dogs. They lie curled up on their stomachs, with their snout above or below the base of their tail. This position is adopted when the chosen sleeping place is not very big. It is also used when the dog wants to be particularly cozy and when the surroundings are not very warm. When sleeping in this position, the dog naturally protects its body, face, neck and internal organs.

Sleeping behavior of the dog - fox roll

Fox roll position: The dog lies curled up on its stomach.

The stomach sleeper

This is a popular sleeping behavior when dozing. They do not fall into the absolute deep sleep phase. The dog wants to rest, not sleep, and just rustle around a little. The dog usually positions its legs to the side of its body. It can then jump up immediately, full of energy and adventurously ready for fun and action.

Sleeping behavior of the dog - stomach sleeper

The stomach sleeper position is a popular sleeping position for dozing.

The back sleeper

In order to sleep in this position, your dog must be deeply relaxed and have absolute trust in its surroundings. This sleeping behavior is only seen in the deep sleep phase and in very young dogs. A fearful, insecure or traumatized dog will certainly not adopt this sleeping position. We now know that a dog’s sleeping position depends on its condition and environment. So what should we consider when it comes to its sleeping and lying place?

Dog's sleeping behavior - back sleeper

Back sleeping position: To be able to sleep in this position, the dog must be deeply relaxed.

The dog’s sleeping and lying place

Dogs love a pleasant and comfortable place to sleep. The place where the dog lies is pleasant if it is protected from drafts and cold ground. The dog also loves its sleeping place to be protected and preferably with back protection. When it retreats to sleep, your four-legged friend wants to feel safe and well looked after. The dog finds its sleeping place pleasant if it is comfortable. It should not be too hard and not too soft, but preferably a little higher. Of course, the dog always wants and should be with its pack of family. But especially in families with small children or where there is a certain amount of unrest, the position of the sleeping place is of great importance and has a big influence on its sleeping behavior. Find your dog a place a little away from the hustle and bustle. You will be surprised how often it chooses this place to sleep.

Comfortable dog basket in exclusive design-pet.interiors

Dogs love a comfortable place to sleep, preferably with back support.

Sleeping and dozing of the dog

Dogs doze most of the day. They need a lot more sleep than humans and take lots of little naps throughout the day. The need for rest varies from dog to dog. If your dog takes a little nap, he really doesn’t want to be disturbed and expects us humans to respect that. Your home should be a place for your dog to rest, a stress-free and judgment-free zone. Play, fun and excitement should only take place outside of your house. If dogs can trust that nothing particularly exciting is happening in the house, they fall into a light sleep more quickly. As soon as the dog’s eyes are closed, the nose and ears take over. If you then give him the rest he needs, he will feel safe and undisturbed and will fall into a deep sleep phase within a short time. This deep sleep phase accounts for 20-30% of the total sleep time for an adult dog. This means that your dog needs 5-8 hours of deep sleep, the rest of the sleeping time between 10-20 hours is reserved for dozing, snoozing and relaxing.

Comfortable dog cushion in exclusive design-pet.interiors

The place where the dog can lie down should be comfortable and pleasant.

Do dogs dream?

From what we know to date, dogs dream. If you watch your dog sleeping, you can easily recognize the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phases. The dog’s eyes move quickly back and forth under closed eyelids. The dog is lying in front of you in a deeply relaxed state, its paws twitch and the dog appears to be walking or running. The jaw moves up and down, the lips tremble and the ears move quickly back and forth or twitch. What your dog dreams about will remain a secret. If the dream phase becomes too intense, you can wake your darling very gently. Don’t let your dog have bad dreams and be trapped in a nightmare.

Getting dogs and cats used to each other

Mar 9, 2025 | Cats, Dogs, General

Tips for a relaxed coexistence.

Weimaraner bitch has adopted the kitten.

Weimaraner bitch has adopted the kitten.

Despite all the prejudices and common clichés, dogs and cats can become good friends. To ensure that they live together peacefully under one roof, they must be carefully introduced to each other. I have put together a few tips here on how to best bring these two different personalities together.

General information on merging

The best conditions for bringing the two together are when neither the dog nor the cat has had any unpleasant experiences with the other breed. This is easiest when both are young animals. The most important thing is that the dog recognizes the cat as a member of the pack and does not see it as potential prey. Since dogs are pack animals, it is easier to integrate a cat into a dog household than the other way around. Cats are very territorial animals who do not like to tolerate an intruder in their kingdom. A lot of understanding and, above all, patience is required. With a few good tips and a lot of patience, you can easily get used to them slowly.

The preparations

It helps if the personalities of the dog and cat are compatible. A lively dog ​​is better suited to a cat with a high level of self-confidence than a shy or fearful animal. Older animals are best suited to calm and equally old newcomers. A puppy gets along better with a young cat so that neither side is suppressed. When the dog is fully grown, it should be paired with a cat that is at least 4 months old.

Dog and cat, an inseparable couple! | pet.interiors

Kaja and Wilma, an inseparable couple!

The first odor habituation

Let the animal living in your household lie on a blanket for a few days so that the blanket absorbs the animal’s scent. Bring the blanket to the new arrival so that it can get used to the animal’s scent. To help the cat get used to the sound of barking, you can record the dog barking and play it to the cat, first quietly and then a little louder.

The move

To ensure that the newcomer settles in well, there should be a spatial separation during the first few days. It is best to prepare a separate room in which the newcomer can spend the first few days. Equip the room with a food and water bowl, a place to sleep and, for cats, a toilet. The gap in the door allows both to get used to each other’s smell without having to meet directly. The older resident should also not be neglected to avoid causing jealousy. When the long-time resident is out of the house, the newcomer can move around the house freely to familiarize himself with the new living situation.

Intimate togetherness on the exclusive dog cushion | made by pet.interiors

Intimate togetherness on the designer dog cushion | made by pet.interiors

The first meeting

The most important thing is that you are relaxed and calm when you first meet them. Your excitement will be transferred to the animals. If you are relaxed, the animals will be too. Feed both animals enough. Both are happier and calmer with a full stomach. And give the dog plenty of exercise before the first meeting, which is also relaxing. Two people who are familiar with the animals should accompany the animals. One looks after the dog, the other looks after the cat, which makes the first meeting much easier. While the two animals get to know each other, every positive behavior is reinforced with a treat. The animal is stroked and calmed down.

You can use catnip or cat pheromones to calm the cat. Many animals react well to these substances and adopt a relaxed attitude. Under no circumstances should you lock the animal in its transport box, as it has no escape there. An elevated location, e.g. a table, a shelf or a scratching post, gives the cat security. It can avoid the dog, watch calmly from above and does not feel threatened. She always has an escape route upstairs and does not feel cornered or panic.

The dog should be on a leash. It is quite possible that he sees the cat as prey. Make it clear to the dog with a clear “no” that such behavior is absolutely undesirable. Under no circumstances should there be a chase, as this would make it very difficult to get used to it. If the dog starts barking or pulling, he is distracted with a toy or a treat. If he calms down, he is praised extensively. If the dog does not calm down, you must stop the encounter.

Be aware that getting used to it can be exhausting and time-consuming. Setbacks are normal and the animals always determine the length of the acclimation phase. Do not dramatize fake attacks, but communicate clearly and unambiguously that such behavior will not be tolerated. During and after the encounters, praise both animals extensively and play with them. Then take the dog for a walk. Lighten up the encounters and make them a positive experience with treats and petting.

End the first meeting after about 10 minutes, that’s enough for now. If one of the animals appears very nervous, aggressive, excited or anxious, you should stop immediately. Be careful not to overwhelm the animals.

 

A Weimaraner with 4 little kittens!

A Weimaraner with 4 little kittens!

Continue practicing

You can repeat these meetings every other day, then more often until the animals have become accustomed to each other and respect each other. During these meetings you should be attentive and carry on with your normal everyday routine. The animals should notice that this contact is completely normal. You should maintain your usual daily routine, this gives the dog and cat additional security.

Separate food bowls

To avoid food jealousy and the associated stress between dog and cat, it is a good idea to separate the feeding places. Cats feel safe in elevated locations. Therefore, you can move the feeding place to a shelf or window sill, preferably in another room. If the cat is a long-established animal, you must first get the animal used to the new feeding place, because cats hate change! By placing treats at the new feeding place more often, you can slowly get the cat used to the new place. After a few days, you can test whether the new feeding place is accepted.

The litter box

Cats need their privacy and want to do their business undisturbed. Unfortunately, dogs are usually very interested in the litter box, dig in it passionately and like to eat cat feces. It is best to place the litter box out of reach of the dog so that the cat can do its business undisturbed and does not react by being dirty.

If you follow all of these tips, nothing should stand in the way of a peaceful coexistence sooner or later.

Tell us about your experiences. We are always happy to receive feedback.

 

Pug and kitten love each other deeply. | pet.interiors

Pug and kitten love each other deeply.

Holiday with a dog – the most important points summarized.

Mar 9, 2025 | Dogs, General

Finally, vacation! The best time of the year is spent with the whole family, and the dog is a must. Finally, there is enough time for long walks, fun games and carefree romping around. To ensure that it is a relaxing vacation, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Above all, it is important to have dog-friendly accommodation, the right transport and a suitable travel destination. In the country you are traveling to, you must observe the entry requirements and much more. We have put together the most important measures here.

Dog Emil in holiday mood

Dog Emil in holiday mood.

Before the trip

Good organisation is half the battle. Most things can be organised before the trip so that you can really enjoy your holiday.

The destination

Before planning your vacation, you should always consider whether your dog can tolerate the climate of your chosen destination. Dogs regulate their body temperature by panting and are much more affected by extreme heat than humans. Four-legged friends with dark or long fur suffer particularly from high temperatures and vacations can quickly become a strain.

Then there is the question of the distance of your destination. You should keep in mind the limits of what is reasonable for your dog and choose a destination closer or further away depending on how well he or she is able to travel.

The journey

The plane is the most stressful for the dog and should only be chosen if absolutely necessary. Animals weighing over 5 kg must be transported in special boxes in the cargo hold. This has a much lower pressure than the cabin and is also air-conditioned, which can be dangerous for older animals. Smaller dogs weighing less than 5 kg can be taken into the passenger compartment in a transport box (the size of hand luggage) but must not leave the box en route.

It is advisable to contact the airline, as each airline has its own regulations and prices.

If you are travelling by ship or ferry, it is also advisable to contact the shipping company in advance to find out about the respective regulations for transporting your pet. As a rule, dogs must be kept on a leash, some ships require a muzzle, and some ferry companies ban dogs altogether. You should also remember that your dog can get seasick. Before you start your journey, take a day trip on a boat to test your four-legged friend’s seaworthiness.

Travelling with Deutsche Bahn is well regulated. Dogs up to the size of a domestic cat are transported free of charge in a transport container. Larger dogs must be on a leash and wear a muzzle, then they pay half price. Make sure you have enough time when changing trains so that you can find the nearest green space with your dog.

Traveling by car offers the best privacy and independence. The pace and breaks can be tailored to the dog. There will be no encounters with anxious or less animal-loving people. You just have to make sure that your dog is adequately secured in the car. And don’t forget sun protection.
The accommodationThere are now a lot of dog-friendly accommodations on offer. However, the difference between “dogs allowed” and “dogs welcome” is often enormous. It is definitely worth taking a closer look at the accommodation of your choice.

 

pet passport & vaccinations

For travel within the EU

Vaccination and identification are mandatory for dogs when travelling. In order to avoid being quarantined, dogs need an identification document when travelling across borders within the EU. The pet passport has been mandatory since December 29, 2014. It is used to identify your dog, cat or ferret. Your four-legged friend must therefore be identified and the corresponding number must be noted in the passport. Until July 2011, animals were tattooed; after July 2011, identification with a microchip is mandatory in Germany. In some countries, the microchip is mandatory. A local veterinarian who is authorized by the respective state authorities issues the EU pet passport and also enters the owner’s details.

Rabies vaccination is mandatory The pet passport also provides information about the animal’s vaccination protection. Immunization against rabies is mandatory. Since the vaccination protection is only fully developed after 21 days, three weeks must pass after the first vaccination before crossing the border. Puppies may only be vaccinated at twelve weeks. Therefore, a young dog may only enter and leave the country when it is 15 weeks old.
Important: Each traveler is only allowed to bring five pets with them. To be on the safe side, you should find out about the regulations of your holiday destination well in advance of your departure. There are different requirements for your four-legged friend to enter the country within the European Union. Great Britain, Finland and Malta require an additional tapeworm treatment for dogs. Ireland requires a blood test to check for rabies. Denmark prohibits the entry of certain dog breeds, such as pit bulls.

 

For travel outside the EU

When entering non-EU countries, it is advisable to consult the Foreign Office, as the regulations vary greatly.
Before you travel, make sure you find out about the regulations regarding leashes and muzzles to avoid high fines. Crossing the border without an animal passport can have serious consequences. The dog can be sent back at the owner’s expense, may have to spend six months in quarantine, or in the worst case, be put down.

What should I keep in mind while traveling?

We have a few tips to help you make sure everything goes well on your holiday.

Your dog should drink plenty of water before you set off. You should reduce or stop feeding puppies or dogs with known travel sickness around 8 hours beforehand. If your four-legged friend is travelling in a transport box, put a blanket or pillow in it so that he feels comfortable. Get your dog used to the box in good time; it might become his favourite place.

If you are travelling by car, we recommend choosing a route that is not prone to traffic jams. You can also consider travelling at night. Regular breaks for walking, drinking, playing and stretching his paws will relax your dog. You should also ensure that he gets enough fresh air. It is better not to allow your dog to stick his head out of the open window. This can result in conjunctivitis. Sunshades for the side windows are helpful to avoid direct sunlight. You may only leave your dog alone in the car for very short exceptional cases. Do not park the car in direct sunlight and the window must be open at least a crack.

You should always pay attention to your dog’s condition when travelling by train, ship or plane. Nervous restlessness or staggering can be signs of poor circulation and should – if possible – be a reason to interrupt the journey.

On site

As soon as you arrive, find out about the customs and rules of your accommodation. Is it mandatory to keep your dog on a leash or muzzle? The rules can vary depending on the breed of dog. You will definitely be given help at the reception of your hotel or when you hand over your holiday apartment.

At campsites, look for the dog park and find out where your dog is not allowed. It is also advisable to ask your neighbours whether they like dogs before booking a pitch. This can save you a lot of trouble.

Everything at your holiday destination is new and exciting for your four-legged friend, and this stress factor should not be underestimated. Your dog’s reactions may therefore be more violent than usual. This also applies to meeting other dogs and romping around in the new home. Diarrhea can be a common sign of stress, so a remedy for it should not be missing from your travel first aid kit.

Danger

Parasites are the biggest danger to your four-legged friend on vacation. Some can be vaccinated against, but unfortunately many cannot. Local dogs are usually immune, but newcomers usually are not. The risk posed by many stray dogs should not be underestimated.

Here is an overview of the most common parasites in Europe:

  • Babesiosis is transmitted by ticks, vaccination is possible, tick spray helps, occurs in Mediterranean countries, tropics, Hungary, southern and western Switzerland
  • Leishmaniasis is transmitted by small flies, insect spray helps, occurs in Mediterranean countries
  • Filariasis is transmitted by blood-sucking insects, insect spray helps, occurs in Mediterranean countries, especially Spain
  • Hepatozoonosis is transmitted by ticks, tick spray helps, occurs in Italy and France, Africa, Southeast Asia, India, Middle East,

Keep an eye on your dog so that small poisonous animals such as spiders, snakes or scorpions do not pose a danger to him.

Insurance

Consider taking out dog liability insurance in case something gets broken. As this usually also covers damage to rented objects, this insurance is a good idea for vacation and at home. You can also take out travel cancellation insurance in case your dog gets sick. Würzburger Versicherungs-AG or Allianz Versicherung offer this.

Checklist

To ensure that you have everything you need in your dog baggage, we have briefly noted the most important things here:

  • Documents: Pet passport with vaccination status, possibly insurance documents
  • Telephone number of your vet, possibly the address of a local vet
  • Dog travel first aid kit: tick and insect spray, sun protection, anti-diarrhea medication
  • Transport container or dog basket equipped with favorite blanket or pillow
  • Leash with collar and name tag with national and international contact details
  • Muzzle if necessary
  • Comb, brush, care products
  • Towels and disposable towels
  • Plastic bags/doggy bags
  • Food and water bowls
  • His usual food in sufficient quantities
  • Water for on the go
  • Dog toys, bones, treats
Checklist download

Dog cushion for a three-legged dog

Mar 8, 2025 | Customer stories, Dogs, General

The right dog cushion for a dog with a handicap

The joints of an amputee animal are exposed to much greater stress due to the missing leg and the joints can wear out more quickly. This is precisely why the correct and optimal lying position must be the most important criterion for choosing the best dog cushion for a handicapped dog.

Commercially available animal beds are usually made of foam with too low a density, leftover thin polyester fleece or polystyrene balls. As a rule, these dog cushions are much too thin and do not retain their shape sufficiently. This means that the dog is lying on the hard, cold floor within a short time. Especially for a handicapped animal, you need a dog cushion that offers precise support for the joints with the necessary point elasticity.

The pillow inserts from pet-interios are filled with Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified quality latex flakes which have a very high density. The higher the density, the more stable, elastic and durable the filling is. The very high density of our orthopedic dog pillows also guarantees long-term stability; they remain permanently elastic, dimensionally stable and are therefore long-lasting and sustainable.

The excellent point elasticity of our latex filling optimally reflects the individual body shape of your dog and offers perfect relief and relaxation for the spine and joints. In addition, the latex offers very good springing and recovery properties when the lying position changes and the natural buoyancy of the latex filling provides excellent support for a three-legged dog to get up. The absolutely noise-free filling enables your pet to have a peaceful, restful sleep and ensures optimal relaxation and the necessary regeneration that a handicapped dog in particular needs.

 

Orthopedic dog cushion for a three-legged dog

Orthopedic dog cushion for a three-legged dog |Parson Russell Terrier – Lottie

Dog cushion for three-legged dog Lottie

Lottie’s owner wrote us the following enthusiastic email:

About a year ago I bought an orthopedic LOUNGE dog cushion for our three-legged dog Lottie, a Parson Russell Terrier. Lottie loves the dog bed and sleeps very well on it. The support the cushion offers is excellent. Now we want Lottie to sleep just as comfortably in the kitchen and have decided to buy another DIVAN dog cushion. It is a bit lower because Lottie sometimes has problems jumping onto the higher LOUNGE cushion.

 

The DIVAN Uno dog bed with a head cushion in graphite (80 x 65 cm) arrived this afternoon. Lottie, our Parson Russell Terrier who had to have a leg amputated a few years ago before we adopted him, sometimes has difficulty getting up if the cushion is too soft and springy. It is very important for Lottie to have soft but stable support for her body. And that is what she now has with this orthopedic dog cushion. Within half an hour she had made herself comfortable and she especially loves to bury her little nose under the pillow. It was very difficult to take a nice photo now! To prevent Lottie from rolling into the small gap between the window and the pillow, we closed it with a not so pretty roll.

 

Thank you for this other excellent dog bed. Our cat Job is already jealous, but she will soon get a nice cat pillow.

Great recipe for dog cookies & dog treats

Mar 7, 2025 | Dogs, General, Recipes

Baking dog biscuits yourself is not a big effort.

Although they cannot be used as a complete food, they are a very tasty and healthy addition. The advantage of handmade dog treats is obvious: you know exactly what is in them, they usually cost less than store-bought ones, and you can adapt the dog biscuits to your dog’s taste and tolerance.

As homemade dog biscuits do not contain any artificial preservatives, they only have a limited shelf life. It is therefore better to bake a small portion of dog biscuits every now and then. It is also important that the dog treats cool down properly after baking and that the moisture completely escapes. To prevent mold from forming, an air-permeable box or tin is highly recommended for storing the dog biscuits. We all know this from Christmas baking.

Healthy dog treats without artificial preservatives

Baking your own dog treats

Dog biscuits – Quark sticks

These tender dog biscuits, Quark Sticks, are very easy to bake yourself and are super tasty. You almost always have the ingredients for these dog treats in the house and they are a good, healthy reward for in-between meals and perfect for dog training. Beautifully packaged, the dog cookies also make a great gift or a small souvenir for other dog owners.

The ingredients for the dog biscuits – Quark sticks:

  • 100 g fine oat flakes
  • 100 g wholemeal spelt flour
  • 150 g low-fat quark
  • 1 egg
  • 50 g butter

Preparation:

Mix all the ingredients for the dog biscuits well and knead into a smooth dough.
Form the dough into a roll about 2 cm thick and cut about 1 cm thick slices from it. Simply form small rolls from these sections. Place the quark sticks on the baking rack lined with baking paper and bake at 150°. After 20 to 25 minutes, the dog biscuits are properly baked and can be taken out of the oven. Be sure to let the dog treats cool and dry overnight.

The dog biscuits are stored properly in an air-permeable container and will last for at least 4 weeks.

Baking your own dog treats

Since all the ingredients we used for the dog biscuits come from our fridge and are intended for human consumption, we can also eat the dog biscuits ourselves. But without spices, they are rather tasteless for human taste.

recipe download