A guide to choosing a dog bed

It can be difficult seeing all the types and shapes of dog beds on hand and then choosing one that’s appropriate for your dog. However your dog actually tells you what type of bed it wants every time it sleeps. It will usually either curl up to some degree, or it will stretch itself out.

You should look for a dog bed that matches your dog’s sleeping style. For convenience the types of bed are listed according to the two different dog sleeping styles.

Curl Dog Beds

Pillow Dog Bed or Cushion Dog Bed. Usually round, square or rectangular in shape. Like with human pillows or cushions, they are soft. Most are stuffed with foam. Or foam and cedar chips. Cedar chips act as a flea repellent, however cedar chips may not be ideal for dogs with skin allergies.

Nest, Donut or Cuddler Dog Bed. These terms are often used, although there are two styles. Both are usually circular or oblong in shape to accommodate the dog in a curl sleeping style. The edges are traditionally subtly raised in height in the pillow style beds or a good deal more pronounced and rigid in the enclosure style beds.

Bolster Dog Bed. Like the above enclosure style beds, except usually having more pronounced raised sides, thus the term bolster.

Dome Dog Bed. These are similar to a nest bed and they are fully enclosed at the sides and overheard apart from the one exit that the dog will leave the bed from.

Stretch Dog Beds

Dog Mat – square or rectangular in shape, suitable for a daytime resting place or to line an outdoor dog kennel. They are a step up from the dog sleeping on a cold and/or hard floor. They are usually made from a thin layer of foam. Memory foam is used in the more pricey mats for support.

Dog Mattress – like with a human bed mattress, a dog mattress is large and rectangular in shape. It’s planned to be a soft platform for dogs that like to stretch out as they sleep.

Specialty Beds

Designer Dog Bed or Luxury Dog Bed. These are designed as dog sized replicas of human furniture such as a bed or sofa. A sofa style is particularly good for your dog if he changes between curl and stretch sleeping styles as it allows room for the dog to stretch and raised sides for the dog to curl against. There are many great styles to choose from to enhance the decor of the room the bed is situated in. However bear in mind the dog’s needs before decor.

Orthopedic Dog Bed. Orthopedic dog beds are designed for dogs suffering from arthritis or hip dysplasia, or dogs that are more at risk of suffering from hip dysplasia. Orthopedic dog beds come in a variety of the above forms. The difference is in the type of material use. They are designed Orthopedic dog beds are popularly lined material with memory foam that is both sturdy and comforting at the same time thus helping the animals joints.

Heated Dog Bed. These come in the above forms and as the name suggests, a heating facility is provided. This is good for beds located in an area susceptible to colder temperatures, or may be judged to be as a viable feature in an orthopedic dog bed to keep the dog’s joints warm.

Travel Dog Bed. These appear in many varieties, for example roll up mats, sleeping bags, house/cages. Obviously a good amount of beds are intended to be compacted when not in use. Many are machine washable. Some come in waterproof fabrics for outdoor use.

DON’T FORGET – The Size of the Dog Bed

The dog bed should be bigger than the dog’s sleeping size so the dog has room to make itself comfortable and adjust itself while it sleeps. For the curl style beds you’ll want at least an extra 8 inches in diameter than the dog’s sleeping length and about an extra 12 inches for the stretch style dog beds.