Choosing a dog bed is an important task. The best dog beds will last a lifetime, and as it’s one of the most expensive items that you will purchase for your dog, it’s essential to get it right. But with the sheer number of dog beds available, it can seem overwhelming. So how do you choose the best dog bed for your dog?
Actually, with a few insider tips picking a suitable bed need not be a difficult job. Taking time before you spend out to match your dog to the right bed will mean that you only have to invest once.
What’s more, getting it right will mean that your dog has a comfortable and safe place to sleep. And as our dogs spend so much time snoozing, it’s an investment that’s worth making.
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The Best dog Beds -what to consider
If this is the first time you’ve purchased a bed for your dog, there are a couple of things worth considering before you even begin your search.
Where are you going to put the bed once you’ve bought it?
It may seem like a silly question, but the location of the bed matters. Not only because the bed has to fit in the space available, but also a dog’s bed should be somewhere where they can go and not be disturbed.
Location is more of an issue if you have a large dog as you need a bigger area, but all the same, picking a spot where your dog can go and sleep in peace is essential.
What’s more, location is critical regarding what design to choose. Cold floors, draughts, and bright lights can all influence your choice of the best type of dog bed to buy.
Ideally, providing your dog with a choice of beds is good so that they can decide whether to go for a quiet snooze or spend time relaxing in the company of the family.
What needs does your dog have?
Our dogs change as they age, and so do their needs. A puppy may have very different needs from an elderly dog, for example.
If your dog has certain health conditions like arthritis, you may want to consider choosing a memory foam dog bed that offers more support, for example.
Breed type and climate are also worth considering. If you have a husky but live in a hot environment, your dog is unlikely to want a cozy cave-type or donut cuddler bed.
On the other hand, smaller dogs that live in a cold climate will want a comfortable bed that’s as warm as possible, so a heated bed may be ideal.
How does your dog prefer to sleep?
If you’ve spent any time with your dog, you may already know by now how they prefer to sleep. While some dogs love to stretch out, others prefer to curl into a tight ball nose in their tails. Some dogs enjoy semi-enclosed spaces and others like a pillow on which to rest their head.
During a long sleep, most dogs will change positions, and as they do, the shape and size of the bed become even more critical.
Just like us, our dog’s shoulders and hips need support as they snooze, and there should be enough space in or on the bed so that they can move unrestricted.
What bed features are important to you?
It’s probably not something you’ve considered at any length, but what do you want from a dog bed? Does it need to be machine washable, have removable covers, chew-proof, or have a non-slip bottom for your wood floors. Does it need to fit in with your decor, for example?
Are you choosing a dog bed for an outside space so that it needs to be waterproof and easy to wash with a hose? Or perhaps you live in a hot climate and need a dog bed that helps to keep your dog cool?
Thinking about the features you want from your dog’s bed combined with what your dog needs from a bed will help you make an informed choice.
Budget
Dog beds are not cheap. But they are a long-term investment in comfort for your dog. Buying the best quality bed for your budget is a better investment than the purchase of a cut-price one.
As with any bed, human, or dog, quality varies. Always look for comfort and support, whether it’s likely to be hardwearing and how easy it is to keep clean to ensure you get the most for your money.
The benefits of buying a dog bed
If a dog bed is such a significant investment and dogs have been using floors for thousands of years, you may be asking yourself why purchase a dog bed at all.
Dogs will indeed sleep on the ground if they don’t have another option. It’s also true that even if you buy the most luxurious bed, your dog may still choose to snooze on the floor.
However, dog beds do offer several advantages for both you and your dog.
Insulation
A good dog bed will protect your dog from the cold and draughts. It’s easy to forget that our dog’s health, just like our own, can be affected by the cold. This is especially true for dogs with a single coat, like Bull terriers, whippets, and Yorkshire terriers. For these dogs providing somewhere warm to sleep in colder months is essential.
Senior dogs also appreciate the extra warmth, and a comfortable dog bed helps alleviate joint pain in older dogs. Remember, if you are cold, your dog will be too.
What’s more, a dog bed can also offer protection from the heat. Rising temperatures and surfaces like concrete can trap heat and make it uncomfortable for your dog to rest. Heat can affect our dogs’ sleep in the same way that it does ours. Providing a bed that is either raised to allow for air circulation or that has a cooling effect can make your dog much more comfortable. These types of beds are especially suitable for dogs that are heat sensitive, like the Akita.
Protection
As our dogs spend so much time asleep or snoozing, protecting their joints and bones is essential. A good dog bed will provide cushioning and support for our dogs and help prevent unnecessary damage to joints.
Even if your dog is young and healthy repetitive shocks to bones and joints as they lay down on hard surfaces can cause issues, the least of which is hardened skin around the elbows. But protection becomes increasingly more critical as our dog’s age. A good orthopedic dog bed can help senior dogs or dogs with conditions such as arthritis or obesity be much more comfortable. Generally speaking, the older the dog, the more supportive and cushioned the dog bed should be.
Personal space
Although some dogs don’t seem to know the meaning of personal space, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have the option to go and enjoy some.
Dogs vary a lot in whether they enjoy time alone. But providing a bed where your dog feels safe and secure is essential. When dogs are unwell, scared, or just fed up with the hustle and bustle of a busy household, they need somewhere they can retreat to and benefit from quiet time.
Fur-free furniture
Providing a bed for your dog means that the majority of your dog’s fur should end up in their bed rather than yours.
It also means that dirt, mud, and any other detritus are more likely to end up in one place rather than all over your house. Dog beds with removable and machine washable covers mean that you can keep control of doggy odor. And waterproof dog beds are a great option if you have a dog that likes to take a daily swim.
Reduces injury risk
Imagine trying to jump on and off a large platform several times a day. It may not be such an issue if you are big and the platform is small. But what about if the platform is double your height?
Small dogs do this daily when they jump on and off couches. Even for large dogs, their forelimbs’ impact when jumping off a sofa can have significant consequences. If you can encourage your dog to use its bed, you can minimize the risk of injury or long-term joint problems.
How to avoid the Number 1 mistake when choosing a dog bed
Without a doubt, the number one most common mistake when buying a dog bed is purchasing the wrong size.
Just like us, our dogs like to sleep in a variety of positions, and your dog’s bed should be able to support your dog however they choose to sleep. The simplest way to get the right size bed is to measure your dog.
Firstly, measure from chest bone to tail for length and then measure your dog’s height from the top of the shoulders to the floor. Once you’ve done that, add six inches or fifteen centimeters for the best possible comfort. If you find that your dog is in between sizes, always opt for the larger bed.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a magic formula for getting the right size dog bed. Manufacturers typically have their own sizing charts, and it’s worth reading them thoroughly. When looking at measurements of a bed, it’s important to remember that you are looking for the sleeping area measurements, not the overall size of the bed.
As a rough guide, check out these dog bed sizes:
Extra small: Chihuahua, Yorkshire terriers, Pekinese
- Nesting beds: 16”x 21.”
- Pillow beds: 30”x 36.”
Small: Pugs, toy poodles, Dachshunds
- Nesting beds: 18”x 23.”
- Pillow beds: 30”x 36.”
Medium: Border collies, Cocker spaniels, Beagles
- Nesting beds: 21”x 28.”
- Pillow beds: 36”x 45.”
Large: Golden retriever, Husky, Standard Poodle
- Nesting beds: 24”x 36.”
- Pillow beds: 45”x 52.”
X large: German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Alaskan Malamute
- Nesting beds: 28”x 43.”
- Pillow beds: 45”x 52.”
XX-large: Great Dane, Newfoundland, Mastiff
- Nesting beds: 28”x 43.”
- Pillow beds: 45”x 52.”
How to choose the best dog bed for your dog
Of course, there is more to selecting a dog bed than just getting the right size. So what else do you need to think about before you purchase?
The style of bed you choose for your dog is essential. Often we can get an idea of our dog’s preferences based on where they spend their time snoozing outside of a dog bed. For example, my dog likes to rest his head on something while he sleeps, so when I picked a bed, I chose one that had an integrated pillow.
So let’s have a look at the type of beds available before we dive deeper into the best bed for your dog.
Types of dog bed
As there are so many beds available, it’s useful to simplify the options before looking at specific examples.
Essentially most dog beds fit into one of these categories:
- Round or rectangle
- With bolster or without the bolster
For example, a nest dog bed, also known as doughnut or bagel dog bed, are round beds with bolsters and are perfect for dogs that like to sleep curled up.
Whereas a mattress dog bed is most often rectangle without bolsters providing a flat sleeping area for dogs that like to stretch out.
If you keep that in mind when looking at dog beds, it will help keep things simple. Having said that, dog beds have come a long way from a box with a blanket in it. So here is our rundown of the most popular types of dog beds available.
Orthopedic dog bed
This type of bed is often made of memory foam and offers more support than traditional beds. They are available in various shapes and sizes but are ideal for senior dogs or dogs with joints problems such as arthritis, as the foam mattress is designed to relieve pressure points.
Not only that, but a memory foam dog bed helps to evenly distribute your dog’s weight across the sleeping area, which means that it offers a lot more support for large dogs and keeps your dog’s back and spine aligned.
You may also want to consider investing in an orthopedic dog bed if you suffer from allergies. The dense memory foam repels dust mites – a common allergen and prevents pet dander from working its way into the mattress.
Look out for high-density orthopedic foam, machine washable covers, and non-skid bottoms.
Read our best orthopedic dog bed guide here
Elevated dog bed
Elevated dog beds tend to be hammock-type beds that can be used both inside and outside. Generally made with a metal or wooden frame with durable waterproof and easy to clean material stretched between.
Not only are they are great for getting your dog off cold hard floors or providing additional air circulation in warmer weather, but most are suitable for inside and outside use.
Without a doubt, an elevated bed is the best dog bed for dogs that like water as they are quick to dry and easy to wash. What’s more, they are resistant to chewing, so they are perfect for puppies.
However, unlike an orthopedic dog bed, they don’t offer much support or padding, but they are good for dogs that prefer a cool spot to sleep.
Read our best-elevated dog bed guide here
Heated dog bed
A heated dog bed is a great investment for many types of dogs. Not only are they suitable for small dogs who tend to feel the cold more than big dogs, but they can also offer much-needed warmth to older dogs and puppies who struggle to regulate their temperature efficiently.
Not only that, but many heated dog beds can be used both inside and outside, which means an outdoor dog never needs to suffer when the weather turns cold.
Heated dog beds usually come in two forms;
- Electrical
- Self-heating
Electrical dog beds have a heating element that is either integral to the bed or provided as a mat. These types of dog bed need to be plugged into an outlet for the bed to warm up. This can restrict where you can use them and is also worth considering if your dog chews.
The other type of heated dog bed is a self-warming alternative. This type of bed uses your dog’s own body heat by reflecting it back as they sleep.
Both have their advantages. Look out for a high-quality removable cover, safety features, and water-resistant materials.
Read our best-heated dog bed guide here
Cooling dog beds
If you live in a hot climate or have a dog that suffers in the warmer months, a cooling dog bed might be the best dog bed to choose.
Cool beds come in three basic forms;
- Elevated
- Water filled
- Cooling gel-filled
An elevated dog bed allows for better air circulation. While it doesn’t have a cooling element as such, keeping your dog off the ground can be enough to keep your dog from getting too warm. Elevated dog beds are durable and lightweight, which makes them an ideal choice for outside use.
Cooling mats that are either water-filled or gel-filled are perfect if your dog needs to stay cool for longer. A water-based cooling mat usually has an element that you freeze combined with a durable machine washable cover. Dog beds containing cooling gel are most often pressure-activated and cool your dog through a process of heat transference.
Read our best dog cooling mat guide here
Outdoor dog beds
If your dog does prefer to sleep outdoors, then there are great options that offer temperature control, comfort, and weatherproofing.
Outdoor dog beds are versatile, so whether you want a warm place for your dog to sleep or somewhere for them to cool off, there is a wide range of choices.
Look out for durability as the dog bed will be exposed to the elements and easy to clean materials. Portability is also key if you want to travel or camp with your dog and need a soft place for them to sleep.
Read our best outdoor dog bed guide here
Indestructible dog bed
Whether a dog bed is durable or not depends on your dog’s determination. But there are indeed beds out there in the marketplace that offer a challenge to strong chewers.
So if your dog likes to pull the stuffing out of a standard dog bed, buying something a bit tougher may be a long-term investment worth making.
The best dog beds for determined chewers are made from tough machine washable, water-resistant materials. While you may not be able to give your dog a squishy foam mattress, you can still provide a pet bed that offers adequate support and is comfortable.
Read our indestructible dog bed guide here
Waterproof dog beds
If your dog likes to relax outside, waterproof dog beds offer a durable and hygienic option. Not only that, but water-resistant beds are the perfect choice for dogs that are prone to night-time accidents as they are easy to wash and keep clean.
A waterproof bed is made from tougher than usual materials that are stain-resistant and quick-drying. A good waterproof bed will keep your dog cool in the summer and warm in the winter and is good for older dogs prone to nighttime accidents.
Read our best waterproof dog bed guide here
Best dog beds conclusion
Our dogs spend so much time sleeping that having somewhere comfortable to rest is essential. Not only that, a dog bed provides a safe place for your dog to retreat to if they are anxious or unsure.
Despite the wide range of dog beds available, finding the best one for your dog doesn’t have to be a difficult task. Once you know the size and sleeping preferences of your dog, the rest is easy. Using a few insider tips and working out what both you and your dog need from a dog bed means that your investment should last a lifetime.