A Place For Your Pet: Tips on Choosing the Right Dog Bed

Choosing the right dog bed for your furry family member is just as important as it would be selecting one for yourself. After all, this is the place where your pet will lounge, sleep and just hang out, so it needs be comfortable--that's a given. But, there are plenty of other things to consider when choosing an appropriate pet bed. Ask yourself these questions:

1. How does your dog sleep and where?
2. Is your pet sensitive to heat or cold?
3. Is your dog older or have special needs?
4. Does your dog shed a lot of hair?
5. Do you think the bed will be used as a chew toy?
6. Is your puppy still growing?

Using the answers to these important questions along with the helpful information below will help determine the perfect bed for your pet.

Special Needs and Lifestyle

Most people think about heavily padded or cushioned beds only for older, arthritic dogs, but these beds can also cushion the sore muscles of an active dog. Depending on the environment in which you live as well as your pet's sensitivity to temperature, a heated bed (for drafty areas or arthritic dogs) or a cooling bed (great for dogs who are always hot and panting) would be a great asset. For long-haired or double-coated dogs that shed a lot, dog beds made of a smooth fabric should be your first choice because fallen hair is much easier to remove from them. Avoid beds made of rougher materials that can make clean up a challenge. If a smooth fabric isn't an option, be sure that the cover is machine washable.

Care

While your pet is concerned about comfort, you are most likely concerned about care. Choose a bed that is easy to clean with a cover that is machine washable. It's also good to know where your dog is developmentally. If your pet is still distinguishing the difference between acceptable chew toys and things that aren't, like a dog bed, an inexpensive bed would be best until you're confident he or she has grown out of it. However, some dogs never do. So, look for a sturdy, chew-resistant bed.

Shape

The easiest way to determine the shape that will be most comfortable for your pet is to observe how he or she sleeps. Try to match your dog's natural sleeping preference. If your dog sleeps in a curled position, a round pillow bed, doughnut or nesting bed might be best. A sprawled sleeper will prefer a rectangular bed, bumper, couch or cushioned mat. If your pet sleeps with a stuffed toy, a shoe or some other object under the head, then most likely your pet doesn't want to miss a thing--even when asleep. Add a pet pillow or choose a lounger or couch-style bed with give a raised area to rest his head. For the pet who enjoys the closed-in, secure feeling of sleeping tucked away in a corner, choose a bed with raised sides or a cozy corner-shaped bed.

Size

While it might seem like a simple solution, measuring your dogs while in their natural sleep position is the first way to determine the right size. Measure the diameter of your dog while curled up or the length of your dog while sprawled out. And, if the bed has sides, always use the manufacturer's inside dimensions to select an appropriate size. For example, a bed with sides may have an outside measurement of 18" and an inside measurement of 12".

Just like buying clothes for your young children with enough room for them to grow, your puppy will need a little growing room, as well. Hold off on investing in an expensive dog bed that will only fit for a few months. Try purchasing a smaller, interim one instead. Of course, you'll also need to consider the area where it will be placed, such as in a corner, crate or a small room, and choose the most accommodating size. If different areas require different sizes or needs, you can also purchase several beds to use throughout the house.

Finally, once your pet's needs are met, feel free to add in your personal style and choose a bed that complements your home's décor. After all, your home doesn't have to look like a doghouse just because your pet lives there.