How to Choose the Right Dog Bed? Dog Bed Selection Guide

Do you want to know how to choose a dog bed? You must need expert advice. The selection of a bed for your dog’s comfort is one of the challenging tasks every dog parent has to go through.

Having the wrong bed can trouble you or your dog with more distress. For instance, if you have an aged dog with irregular bowel movements or joint problems, an ordinary, non-washable, or hard-to-dry bed can soon visit the trash bin. In the same way, if your dog loves to sleep in privacy, it will need.

Hence, you need a clear way to reach your dog’s ideal bed. The happy news is, you’re at the right place.

We’ve got you expert advice on how to choose the right dog bed. Let get started with our article, with no further delay.

What Material Should You Choose? 

Based on material, the dog beds are of several types. Here are these.

• Memory Foam Dog Beds

They are for dogs with joint problems, dysplasia, arthritis, or poor blood circulation. Mostly the older dogs need a memory foam bed. 

Memory foam beds are available in unique designs. Unfortunately, when it’s about memory foam beds, not all are the same. 

The cheaper options might seem lucrative. Yet, they can cost you more when they flat in no time. Moreover, they aren’t helpful for your dog either way.

As the memory foam beds are for the padding, some can lack structure. So, get a bed that also has a definite shape and frame. If you have a big dog, you can look forward to a memory foam dog bed.

• Polyester Fiber-Filled Beds 

They are big pillow beds. They’re easy to wash and dry. Though the fiber-filled pillows are also washable, getting a removable bed case is better. 

The reason is, frequent washing can shorten the bed life and also rip off the stitches. Because of the cheaper material, dog beds are not costly. It’s the reason they’re a must-have by every canine’s parent. 

The pillow beds are suitable for winters. However, they are sensitive to scratching — the doggy nature can be harmful. If you want to add a pillow bed to your dog’s essentials, have it for your relatively calm dog.

If you get a pillow bed with a robust case, you can also fill it with polyester fiber to help it maintain shape and comfort.

• Mesh or Fabric Wrapped, Metal, PVC or Wooden Framed Hammock Beds

As the title illustrates, they’re elevated beds with nylon mesh wrapping around a metal, PVC, or wooden frame. They’re also portable to make at the camping site, palace in the backyard with no care of the dirt.

The primary purpose of the hammock dog beds is to prevent your dog’s joints from the ground. Thus, long-haul usage also helps with the dog’s joint care. With added cushioning like a dog pillow, the bed can serve for the winters as well.

As a pet owner, you also feel comfortable because the dog bed is easy to wash. Thus, for an older and larger dog, this type of material can be suitable.

• Wooden Dog Beds

By the wooden bed, we don’t mean some wooden material-filled beds. They simply refer to the frame that you can use to palace your dog inside. So, most of the dog parents don’t want to buy them. They use DIY beds.

However, the wooden bed offers more security to your dog without pushing it behind the bars — crate. If your dog isn’t chewy, the wooden bed can be helpful. Yet, the small dogs hardly need wooden beds.

• Polyurethane Foam Beds for Dogs

It seems a bit complicated. But we make it easier. 

They are mattress beds for dogs. They have even surface and rectangular shapes. They serve all sizes of dogs. The beds are indeed comfy.

You can also place the bed inside the kennel if your furry fellow is well trained. The beds aren’t luxurious at all. It’s why the dog parents with modest tastes love them.

 

What Material Different Dog beds have according to the Design? 

We’ve discussed a lot about the dog bed’s material. But, the materials have a lot to do with the dog bed style.

We categorize the dog beds’ material keeping the structure in view. 

• External Material and Internal Lining

The external material of dogs’ beds varies according to the design/style. Most of the time, the materials are contrary to your preference and your dogs’ comfort. 

For instance, if you choose to waterproof polyester material, your dog might feel it slippery, noisy, or less comfortable. But you can find it easy to maintain.

In contrast, the faux is super comfy and stylish. Yet, they are hard to clean. They can also be home to pests and microbes, even toxic if the faux material is of poor quality.

When you have a well-trained, healthy dog, the dog bed with a Faux cover can be an elegant addition to compliment your interiors as well. 

Of course, it’ll also be warm. The smaller dogs’ owners love to buy beds with such covers. 

A mid option is the external material of microfibers. If the density is max, the material can be sturdy, washable, and resistant. Overall, we recommend you get a dog bed with this type of material.

Suede is also appreciable. However, you can’t predict if your dog will like it or not. The dog beds with external Suede are also a little expensive.

The internal lining of the dog’s bed is usually waterproof. So, it lets you have peace of mind if it gets wet.

• Core Material of Dog’s Bed

Dog beds come with cotton filling, polyester filling, or foam. The primary purpose of the bed is cushioning and support for the dog’s body. The quality of the padding depends on the inner material. 

For example, cotton-filled cushions can be a little costly. The polyester-filled beds flatten soon, though refilling is also cheaper. The cotton beds can also flatten, but the filling can cost you more. 

The foam beds with quality material last longer. They don’t flatten over the years. Therefore, they’re expensive.

Some dog beds also have cedar chips filling. They’re good for dogs with a pungent odor.  

What are Different Sizes of Dog Beds? 

Just like the designs and styles, the dog beds come in different sizes. The softer and more aesthetic beds are for the smaller dogs. Therefore, they aren’t available for the larger dogs.

The selection of a dog’s bed size entirely depends on the size of your dog. Yet, your dog’s behavior also has a lot to do with it. For example, your anxious dog might need a larger bed.

To choose the right size of dog bed, you have to take the correct measurement of your dog. Besides this, you also need to consider the weight of your dog. 

How to Choose the Size of a Dog Bed?

To choose a dog bed’s size, you need to measure your dog first. If you take the measurement correctly, you can get your desired bed and prevent a regretful purchase.

• To measure your dog, catch him napping. Measure the entire body according to his sleeping style. Dogs sleep in various types like a stretch, belly up, curled up, and side sleeper. So, measure the way your dog is sleeping. 

• Once you’ve done with the first step, now add 12 inches to this measurement. You might need to add even a few inches more if your dog has a gigantic body.

What Dog Bed’s Design Should You Choose?

Knowing all the basics of the dog beds, now comes the exciting part of choosing the right bed for your dog. You could make a mistake if you hadn’t read the previous discussion about the sizes and materials. 

The reason is, the dog beds seem pretty attractive at first glance so that you can rush for a purchase. Yet, expert knowledge of these fundamental aspects can help you with a peaceful purchase.

Here, we’ll let you know about different styles of dog beds and their suitability.

• Memory Foam Bed

Memory beds are ideal for your older dogs. They help with peaceful sleep.

They come in different colors and sizes. When you buy a memory foam bed, make sure it’s a good quality bed.

• Orthopedic Bed

The orthopedic dog beds are significantly comfy, with a considerable quantity of foam in them. Thus, the beds help the dog with muscles and hip pain. Indeed, Orthopedic beds are costly.

• Furniture Dog Bed

We call the hammock dog beds the retentive beds. Why? 

The beds offer elevation through their high-end fabric surface. As a result, the chances are few that your dog will face any joint issues.

• Pillow Dog Bed

You’ve already known much about the pillow dog bed. The pillow dog bed is a cheaper option. So, you must have it whether you want to use it solely or as an addition to a dog’s farmed bed, furniture.

• Donut Style Dog Bed

Donut style or round dog beds are among the weight tolerating beds. They are also compassionate on the limbs of your bow-wow kiddo. Besides this, donut beds are suitable for winters.

You can easily add them to the cart for the low cost, cuteness, colors and design availability, and size options.

• Cave Bed

As far as the material is concerned, cave beds aren’t much different from the two beds mentioned above: Pillow and donut. However, they are specially for shy fellows. Likewise, these beds are also helpful in winter. Unfortunately, cave beds can’t offer a lap for your bigger dogs. You can indeed have this bed if your guests often visit you and your little puppy minds it.

Some modern dog beds have less to do with the dog’s comfort — you add convenience via cushion. But, they help you match your pet’s rest place with your interior. Some of the dog beds are as follows.

• Wood Frame Dog Bed

Wooden dog beds are an excellent pick when you want your dog to be around you when sleeping. The beds are chewable. So, as an owner of a naughty dog, you can’t have a wooden dog bed. 

• Furniture Dog Bed

Just like wooden dog beds, the furniture dog beds serve as part of your furniture. Therefore, you can place them in the matching area. They can serve a dual purpose of a coffee table and a bed for your dog as well.

• Corner Dog Bed Or Sofa Beds

Another addition to indoor stylish dog beds are the corner or sofa dog beds. You need not add any cushioning to a sofa bed. However, you can help your dog with undisturbed sleep by using a blanket.

Some other beds can also be found in the stores. The beds also aim at solving specific problems. You can pick a bed among these if you face a particular issue.

• Chew Proof Dog Bed

If your dog is an anxious fellow, chewing can cause much distress. To help with the problem, dog bed manufacturers have introduced chew-proof beds. Besides the unchewable characteristic, the beds are also waterproof.

• Cedar Dog Bed

Some dogs can be smelly for some underlying skin condition or breed type. But, if you’re a fan of your dog, you can bring the Cedar-filled bag home.

• Heated Dog Bed

Some dogs are cold-sensitive. Others turn more sensitive as they age or because of the climate. To help your dog enjoy sleep, the heated beds are of great help. The heated bed is again available in two different options:

• Self-generated heat beds
• Thermal beds

• Waterproof Bed

Have you got puppies? Without home training, the bed can be messy. However, you can solve the issue by getting a waterproof mattress. The waterproof beds have special waterproof, removable covering.

  How to Make a DIY Dog Bed?

If the dog beds, as mentioned earlier, fail to meet your needs, you can also make a DIY dog bed. You’re free to make enhancements to your DIY bed. You can follow these simple steps to make a DIY bed for your bed.

• Get a memory foam mattress of your dog’s size.
• Make a wooden frame 
• Sew a cover of oxford fabric lining and an outer cotton cover.
• Add a zipper to this cover.
• Pack the memory foam mattress inside the cover and zip it.
• Place this mattress in the wooden frame.
• Cover the dog bed with a dog blanket.

What type of Dog Bed should you Get? Our Final Verdict.

Dog beds are of many types depending on the actual workability, style needs, and your dog’s special needs. You can get any bed that is ideal for your dog according to the standards we’ve referred to in our article. 

However, some of the beds are essential. Like you must have a pillow bed, a blanket, or elevated bed when you love camping with your dog.