How To Choose A Dog Bed

Sometimes dogs often hang their heads down after being active in many places in the house including the bed, kitchen space, on the sofa..., but it is important for dogs to have their own space to nap and rest at night.

However, choosing a dog bed can be difficult for you. Therefore, consider your dog's needs before you buy a dog bed. Not only in terms of the dog's health, age, and personality, but also the size and price of the bed, and whether the décor is right for you.

To learn more about how to choose a dog bed, see the article below.

1. Monitor your dog's sleep

Sleeping style is an important thing in choosing the right bed. For the dog lying down will need a large bed. But if your dog likes to cuddle on his own, he will need a small bed with two sides to lean on.

In addition, you should also observe your dog's tendency to be cold or hot while sleeping. Because different shapes and styles of beds can help regulate your dog's temperature while sleeping. Also, some bed types come with heating or cooling pads.

On the other hand, you should also consider your dog's tendency to chew. This will let you know your dog's instinct to chew and destroy things, so potentially a simpler, cheaper bed that doesn't have extras like heating or cooling.

In the end, you should see how your dog treats his bed, you should decide whether to invest in a dog bed or not.

2. Measure the dog while sleeping

Everyone wants their dog enough space to lie down comfortably after a long day of play.

So measuring your dog will help you find a suitable dog bed. You need to measure your dog from nose to tail while he is sleeping. Continue adding 8 to 12 inches to determine the length or diameter of the bed.

You should note that your dog is fully developed when measured. If nothing changes then you can choose a larger bed than you need and this does not require a quick bed replacement.

If you are a puppy and you have to buy a bigger bed, you can add a blanket or mattress to help your dog feel secure when sleeping.

3. Understanding the dog's needs

Age and health can affect the type of bed you want to choose. With orthopedic beds catering to dogs with joint pain or arthritis, cushioned beds provide cooling for long-haired dogs. Usually orthopedic beds are made of high-density foam to conform to the dog's shape, providing comfort and pain relief.

The memory foam will help keep the smell out, all you need to do is make sure to cover it with a waterproof and bed-washable cover with memory foam.

For dogs in warmer climates or with thick or long coats, investing in a cooling bed is essential. Because usually this type of dog tends to get hot when sleeping. Usually they will work well with a kennel, as it's made of mesh and helps air circulate underneath the dog. You can also have a cooling pad available if your dog is uncomfortable sleeping on the ground.

4. Materials

According to the dog bed, there are many types of materials that help with problems such as urinary incontinence, odors or allergies.

Firstly, a waterproof bed is ideal if your dog is large and unresponsive. In case if the dog bed is not waterproof like a mattress bed, you should invest in a waterproof cover to cover it.

Second, the bed is filled with cedar, which not only repels odors, but also aids in transmitting a pleasant scent to the smelly dog. The more the dog rolls around in the cedar bed, it will keep the scent in the morning.

Third, hypoallergenic blankets are suitable for your dog or sensitive. Therefore, you can also try out fillings to see which works best.

Mat for dog bed

Mat is an alternative for urgent needs like the dog likes to sleep anywhere. The mat can be used to cover and protect the upholstery if the dog sleeps on the couch or provide warmth if the dog sleeps on the floor. If your dog sleeps in a kennel, a mat specifically designed for them is also appropriate. Alternatively, you can also use a bath mat inside the crate for softness and comfort.

Beds and pillows for dog bed

A pillow bed will be very suitable for large dogs. Most oversized pillows with loose fillings are perfect for dogs to stretch out or when they're sprawled out while sleeping. Here, large dogs tend to stretch out a lot during sleep, so a rectangular pillow bed or large mattress is suitable for dogs. For low-priced samples, the sealant may clump or disappear over time. If you want to buy a cheap type, unless you can remove the cover for cleaning, because when you wash the entire bed this will reduce the life of the bed. But your dog has a habit of chewing pillows, so choose a pillow bed made of durable materials. On the other hand, another type of pillow bed is the pea-bag bed, which is inflated for the comfort of the dog.

Donut dog bed

A bed that gives a sense of security because it has a round or oval shape with raised edges. This type is suitable for small dogs who like to curl up when sleeping. Besides, the donut bed also brings a warm feeling to the dog.

Nesting dog bed

This type is comfortable when cuddling. Like the donut bed, also has a high side. They have good heat retention at night as the high foam sides keep them out of the washable cool, and make sure the center pillow is removable for easy cleaning.

Cushion dog bed

This type of bed resembles a small sofa, with raised edges all around for the dog to rest his head on. Padded beds are great for dogs that like large pillows and are easily startled when approached from behind, as the pillow has a raised back that provides a measure of security. Cushion beds are quite expensive as they tend to be made of durable materials.

Tent dog bed

This type of bed is designed like a cave or arch for dogs who like to get in. With a semi-closed structure, it is suitable for dogs who like to keep warm, cover and create a cozy feeling when sleeping. This category is primarily intended for smaller dogs, weighing less than 20 pounds.

Hammock dog bed

Similar to a normal hammock with ease of cleaning, it is made of sturdy material that attaches to the frame and can be raised. It is very easy to clean and does not allow urine to collect and cause odors. However, this breed does not provide a lot of cushion, so you need to consider when buying for all dogs.

3. Other features

Easy maintenance

Before choosing a dog bed, you should look for beds with good maintenance, as this will speed up the cleaning process.

Most dog beds need regular cleaning to control odors, fleas, and dirt inside. Additionally, the outer cover should be washed once or twice a week.

Dimensions suitable for home space

A comfortable bed always has all the elements to give your dog a great feeling.

Dogs tend to prefer the bed placed in a quiet area of the house. Thereby, your pet dog can hide when needed.

Some beds come in different fabrics or styles, so it's a good idea to find a bed that matches the rest of your home's furniture.

Environmentally friendly

Or choose a bed with materials that are not only safe for your dog but also environmentally friendly.

For the same, you can buy beds made of used materials such as recycled plastic bottles. Or dog beds and blankets made of 100% organic materials, along with it is the price of beds and covers that can be expensive, but they are durable, ensuring long-term use.

In addition, you can also choose natural rubber materials to be environmentally friendly.

Budget

As we mentioned long ago in our previous readings, the price tag is often very high when it comes to quality. What if you want your pet to enjoy his vacation to the fullest, no matter how high the price is? Prices will typically range from $15–$30 for an overhead pet bed to $115–$190 for a nest style bed.

Besides, you can also consult the price and quality at retail stores. In particular, measure the amount of money you want to invest in the dog bed, such as changing the cover or cleaning when it is dirty or excessively worn.

Conclusion

A perfect dog bed will bring out the best in your pet. However, you also need to consult some of the ideas that we have shared such as size, sleeping position of the dog, materials, investment costs, ...

So please consider and consider carefully what we mentioned above. Will definitely help a lot with how to choose a dog bed.