Finding the Right Bed for Your Dog

There are many factors to consider before purchasing a dog bed

Finding a bed for your dog may seem like a simple task but the fact of the matter is that it isn’t always as simple as driving to the store and picking out the first “cute bed” that you lay eyes on. There are quite a few different factors to take in to consideration when picking out your dogs bed including your dogs age, your dogs personality and any health concerns that you have over your dog. On top of the dog centered factors that you must take in to account there are also things such as the space you have available to place your dog’s bed in!

Dog beds come in all types and varieties including cedar filled beds, bolster beds, orthopedic beds, simple padded beds, cots, cave beds, corner beds, nest beds, heated or cooled beds, slumber ball beds and framed beds. These choices may seem as simple as picking the one you like the most but there is actually a lot that should go in to picking your dogs bed and we’re not just talking about the size of your dog either!

Cedar Filled Dog Beds

Cedar filled beds generally look very similar to general padded beds that are available in most pet stores. Cedar filled beds are often used by families who are worried about their dogs bed becoming odor filled and causing their house to smell. Cedar filled beds can serve this purpose rather well but there are several drawbacks to choosing this type of bed for your dog. Cedar filled beds are particularly odorous and if you are not keen on the smell of cedar then this is definitely not the bed for you. Cedar filled beds are also not as comfortable as cotton filled beds and do not offer as much padding or protection to your dog from the hard floor. Cedar filled beds also pose a problem for families with dogs that have the instinct to disguise their scent. Certain individual dogs maintain the instinctive need to hide their scent from predators by rolling in anything that they feel will disguise their smell. Due to the fact that the smell of cedar is so strong it lures in these particular dogs and as a result these dogs will often be found rolling on their beds so that they too smell like cedar. Having a dog that smells like cedar may not be a significant problem but again, if you are not fond of the smell of cedar or if you have a dog with sensitive skin allergies then a cedar filled bed is not the bed for you.

Bolster Dog Beds

Bolster beds are preferred by many dogs because they offer the padding of a simple padded bed as well as a bolster along the back of the bed which provides additional support for the dogs head. Many dogs are more comfortable when they can rest with their head at a slightly elevated angle and so the bolster bed provides this opportunity. There are two drawbacks to using a bolster bed, however, the price and the size. Bolster beds are generally significantly more expensive than simple padded beds, this usually comes from the fact that these beds are generally better made and stuffed with more durable stuffing. Bolster beds are also generally particularly bulky and if you are considering buying a bolster bed for your dog you should be aware that you will need quite a bit of space to keep your bolster bed in.

Orthopedic Dog Beds

Orthopedic beds are generally referred to for older dogs or dogs with arthritis and hip dysplasia. The purpose of orthopedic beds is to keep your dog as far off the ground as possible by providing thick, durable and comfortable support. By adding firm padding underneath your dog you are decreasing the amount of cold that your dog will experience by laying on the floor and consequently reduce the impact of temperature on your dogs ailing joints. The orthopedic bed also serves to reduce the impact of laying on a hard surface on your dogs ailing joints. As with the bolster bed the orthopedic beds are particularly bulky and need adequate space. Additionally orthopedic beds are particularly expensive, most of them costing over $100 so they are certainly something to research before actually investing in one. Many families create their own orthopedic dog beds by purchasing much cheaper new crib mattresses which not only provide support to an ailing dog but also provide waterproof sleeping quarters for older dogs with incontinence issues.

Simple Padded Dog Beds

The easiest of dog beds to locate are simple padded beds. Simple padded beds include any basic dog bed that incorporates a material cover over a pillow or stuffing of some sort. Simple padded beds are preferred by many dog owners because they come in a variety of designs, a variety of sizes and are also can be particularly affordable. Simple padded dog beds are available from nearly every dog supply store and also from bulk supermarkets such as Sam’s Club or Cost Co. People often choose this variety of bed because they have a limited budget to work with; a particularly large dog or they simply want to match their dog’s bed to the décor in their home. The thing to remember when purchasing a simple padded bed for your dog, however, is that cheaper is not always better. In some of the cheaper simple padded beds the padding is thin and quickly wears out leaving your dog sleeping on nothing but a pillowcase of material. It is also wise to pick a simple padded bed that has a removable cover that will allow you to wash the dog bed cover and refresh your dog’s bed once in a while as well as prevent your home from smelling “doggy.” Simple padded beds come with a variety of filling material; it is generally wise to pick a filling material that is going to offer your dog comfort without collecting mould or moisture. It is important to try to avoid foam filled dog beds that can breed bacteria, and try to go with a polyester fill, cotton fill or down fill in a bed with a removable cover.

Cots for Dogs

Cots are an option that many households choose in addition to a simple padded pet bed. Many families prefer to use cots for outdoor use but on occasion they also utilize them inside the home as well. Cots provide your dog with a sleeping area that is lifted slightly above the ground. Generally cots are a metal or plastic frame with a mesh material stretched over the frame. Depending on the size of the dog the cot is made to accommodate the cot can be considerably large. The benefit to using a cot, particularly for outdoor use is that the dog is kept above the ground which elevates them above heated or cooled surfaces, hard surfaces and any insects which may be prominent in the area that your dog is resting. Cots are also a particularly good choice for large dogs or dogs with thick coats because they allow air to circulate under the dog as well as around the dog preventing them from becoming too hot in hotter weather. Cots can be made more comfortable by the addition of a blanket that will allow the dog to “den”. The drawback of using a cot is again the cost and the size of the bed. Cots are generally nowhere as near as expensive as orthopedic pet beds but they are also more expensive than simple padded beds. Depending on the size of the dog the cot bed is designed for they can also be fairly large beds to accommodate, particularly when being used indoors.

Cave Dog Beds

Cave beds are generally only used for small to medium sized dogs as they are not made large enough to accommodate large breeds. Cave beds feature a hood of material over the dog bed which allows your dog to snuggle in to the bed as though it were a cave. Smaller dogs, dogs with anxiety issues or dogs with little to no protection from fur generally do well with these beds as they offer additional warmth and the security of a place to hide. Cave beds are also particularly popular for cats. Cave beds are generally more expensive than cot beds and simple beds but less expensive than orthopedic pet beds.

Corner Dog Beds

Corner beds are generally beds made to fit in to the corner of a room. Corner beds come in a variety of makes from simple pet beds to bolster beds to nest beds but they all have one feature in common – they were built to fit in to the corner of a room. Corner beds are generally not built to be large enough for large breeds of dog and are usually only sold to be convenient for the dog’s family because they fit well in to smaller rooms. Corner beds can range in price from affordable to ridiculously expensive depending on the variety of bed you choose and the material that it is made from.

Nest Dog Beds

Nest beds are a fairly popular type of bed and generally resemble half a box with a pillow in the bottom of the bed. The raised sides of the bed allow the dog to feel contained in their space while the bottom of the bed is covered by a pillow to allow comfort and protection against hard surfaces. Nest beds can range in size but generally are not built to accommodate giant breeds of dog; they are usually preferred by owners of medium sized dogs. The price of nest beds varies wildly depending on the quality and material of the bed. It is important when selecting a nest bed that you take in to consideration the quality of the filling material to ensure that your dog is protected from hard surfaces.

Heated and Cooled Dog Beds

Heated and cooled beds are somewhat of a novelty item when it comes to dog beds. Heated beds are sold on the premise that heat is beneficial to dogs with joint problems and arthritis. In colder weather dogs with older joints may seek relief from the cold by hopping on to a warm bed which will loosen up their stiff joints. Cool beds are designed to cool off a dog that lives in extreme temperatures. While these varieties of bed may be beneficial for some dogs they are excessive and generally this novelty excessive type of nature is reflected in the price of the bed. It is usually more effective to purchase an orthopedic mattress or crib mattress to care for older dogs and keep it in a warm section of the house. To keep dogs cool it is generally more cost effective to invest in a cot bed that allows air to circulate underneath your dog.

Slumber Dog Beds

Slumber ball beds are generally one of the cheaper varieties of dog bed. Slumber ball beds are usually made from either fleece or a soft cotton type of material and look similar to small beanbags; however, they are filled with stuffing rather than beans. These beds are generally made for small to medium sized dogs and allow a dog to move around the stuffing inside the bed to achieve optimum comfort on the bed. As with simple padded dog beds you should try to find a slumber ball bed with a removable cover so that you are able to wash the cover and refresh your dog’s bed once in a while. Slumber ball beds are usually more suited to smaller dogs and puppies as the bed will mold around the dog creating warmth and security. Slumber ball beds are not made for large dogs and are generally not appropriate for older dogs either due to the strength needed by the dog to mold the filling of the bed to find a comfortable place.

Framed Dog Beds

Framed beds are generally bought by people who want to invest in the look of their home as well as their dogs comfort. Framed beds resemble small people beds with a bed frame and a small mattress which tops the frame. Framed beds can be made from metal or wood and are usually well matched to human bedroom décor; however, they are not usually made to accommodate particularly large dogs. Framed beds are also particularly expensive; in fact they are the singular most expensive dog bed to be purchased. The benefits of the framed dog bed are that the dog receives comfort from a mattress on a spring surface, the dog is also lifted off the ground and the human can match the bed to their décor. The downside of the framed dog bed is of course the cost.

There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to picking your dogs bed. Whether you want to go for comfort and expense or comfort and affordability there are many varieties of bed that you can pick from to ensure that your dog is happy and your wallet isn’t completely empty. Just remember to keep your individual dog and his or her needs in mind when you are shopping and you shouldn’t come home disappointed!