6 Important Considerations When Choosing a Pet Bed for Your Dog

Pets need their own personal space and dogs are no exception. If your dog is starting to take over your favourite chair and even your bed, it may be time to give your pooch his own pet bed.

You may want to cuddle with your pet all day long but giving him his own place allows you to both enjoy the following benefits:

• Receive comfort through the cushioning and insulation against the cold, hard floor
• Protect the home by keeping off dirt, fur, and pet dander from your own bed and other furniture
• Provide a sense of security

To ensure that you and your pup get all the benefits you deserve from a pet bed, here are some considerations to keep in mind before you make a purchase.

1. Sleep Style

How your dog sleeps also plays an important factor in choosing his bed. To pick the best one for his sleeping style, determine whether he’s a:

• Security Seeker – Most small dogs love a bed where they can hide. A pet bed with a bit of a cover and a high back gives them privacy and a cosy spot to sleep soundly.
• Snuggler – If your dog tends to sleep in a curled up position, a bolstered bed with at least one raised side may be ideal.
• Sprawler – An open pillow bed is perfect for a dog that loves to stretch or sprawl. Pooches with thick or long fur have a tendency to overheat so a pet bed with an open mattress that is not too thick will work wonders.

2. Durability

To make sure that the pet bed lasts for a long period of time, you need to pick one that is made of high-quality materials.

Don’t forget to check what the bed’s filler is made of because often, it isn’t washable. Accidents happen a lot when you have a dog so opt for a pet bed that is 100% machine washable and dryer friendly, and is made with durable materials.

3. Size

You should pick a bed that you’re sure that your pooch can comfortably stretch out on. If your pup belongs to a large breed, you will have to pick a large pet bed where he can stretch without any of his feet hanging off the bed. To be certain, measure your pup from his nose to his tail while he’s sleeping.

When measuring, take into account whether your dog is already fully grown. If he isn’t, you may want to pick a bigger bed so that you won’t have to replace it quickly.

4. Type

The pet bed you choose will serve as another piece of furniture in your house. So why not choose one that complements your home’s interior? The days of pet beds done in plain colours are long gone so take advantage of your options.

5. Special Needs

Your dog’s age and health issues can also play an important role in the kind of pet bed you choose. If your pooch has several special needs, you may want to consider choosing a pet bed that has any of the following features:

• Orthopaedic bed – This conforms to your dog’s shape, and gives comfort and support for canines with arthritis or sore joints.
• Cooling pads – Long-haired dogs may find pet beds with cooling pads to be ideal to relieve the heat.

6. Budget

An expensive pet bed doesn’t mean that it’s the right one. Since you want your beloved pooch to have the best of everything, it becomes easy to go overboard when buying a pet bed. Make sure you already have a price range in mind before you head out to the store.

Browse online stores to compare prices and features so you have an idea what a pet bed with a reasonable price should look like. You may have to replace the covers or mattress of the pet bed periodically so take this into account when shopping to make a level-headed financial decision.

Your dog’s comfort should be your number one priority when choosing a pet bed.

It may take some time for your pooch to get used to his new bed, so add some dog toys to encourage him to lay on it. As a pet owner, you know your dog better so keep the above considerations in mind when selecting the right pet bed.

About the author

Andrew Kevan has been the Account Manager at Sandleford Holdings since 2016. He studied at Monash University and completed his Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Zoology. Andrew is the owner of a beautiful Rottweiler named Lady who is constantly spoiled and loves her Fido & Fletch Large Pet Home.

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