Sure, we love snuggling with our dogs on the couch. Cuddle time is a happy time. Just like us, though, our dogs need time to themselves. A dog bed provides somewhere comfortable just for them. It also minimizes the dog hair on your furniture (and, thus, your clothes). With THOUSANDS of dog beds on the market, you want to make sure you find the best one for your dog’s individual needs.
The Importance of a Dog Bed
Dog beds come in every shape, size, pattern, design, and color you can imagine. Some even resemble our couches and beds! We don’t want to give our dogs a trendy piece of furniture, though. Instead, dog beds need to serve essential functions.
As our dogs age, arthritis sets into their bones and joints. A good supplement – such as glucosamine – helps, but taking pressure off the joints is better. Dog beds provide cushioning between the unforgiving floor and their bones. A lot of pet companies provide orthopedic options, incorporating memory foam into their designs. When our dogs don’t hurt, relaxation is easier to achieve (for both of you).
Do you have a cooling top on your mattress? Temperature control is another essential function of dog beds. Whether that means purchasing an elevated bed for your dog to use outside or self-heating options for dogs with little to no hair, you want your furry family member comfortable.
What to Look for in a Dog Bed
Again, there are THOUSANDS of dog beds out there. While you might think one bed is too adorable to pass up (there are some cute beds), they might not be practical. So before you buy the equivalent of a racecar bed (I didn’t come across a dog racecar bed – sorry), make sure to do a little homework.
- Durability: The last thing you want to do is buy a bed that only lasts a week. Some dogs jump on or dig into their beds. (Our dog is notorious for digging into her beds and dragging them around) Make sure you choose materials that will hold up to daily wear-and-tear.
- Size: Measure your dog from nose to tail – that will give you a good idea of what size you’ll need. It’s not the ONLY factor, though. For example, how does your dog sleep? Do they sprawl out? Do they curl up? Take that into consideration when deciding on size. If you’re torn, go a size LARGER than you think you need.
- Materials: While you want durable materials, so the bed lasts, you also want a bed that’s easy to clean. Hair IS going to accumulate. Many beds have covers that zip off and go into the wash (I can personally testify that this is AMAZING). Also, if your dog has allergies, make sure the dog bed’s materials won’t irritate their skin.
Optional Characteristics
Depending on your dog and their personality, there are a couple of other things you might want to consider.
- Non-Slip Bottom: If you plan to keep your dog’s bed on the carpet, this isn’t a big deal. Basic principles of friction will keep the bed in place (for the most part – our dog skids one of her beds across the floor when she has good momentum going). However, if you have wood floors, a non-skid bottom becomes more of an issue. You don’t want your dog to injure themselves, sliding on the floor as they get onto their bed.
- Warranty/Return Policy: You did your homework and bought the best bed possible. And your dog hates it. Some beds are expensive. You don’t want to lose that investment, so having a chance to return the bed allows you to find a better option your dog prefers.
Best Dog Beds for Every Need
Choosing just ONE bed for each category was daunting. There was some overlap, a LOT of glowing testimonials, and so many to peruse. Is it wrong to choose just one bed for your dog? I don’t think so. Our dog has FIVE beds (seven if you count the two at my parents’ house) – not that she’s spoiled or anything. You make the call on what’s best for your dog and their individual needs. (Greyhounds are lazy couch potatoes – she needs lots of places to flop down. Or so we justify things in our house)
The Brindle Memory Foam Dog Bed lets your little dog feel like a champion. With 3 inches of shredded memory foam, any dog will approve. Brindle even caters to toy breeds, with an XXS available. The soft microsuede cover slides off for easy washing and drying.
Downside? The cover doesn’t like repeated washings. So if your small dog likes to make a mess, this might not be the best bed for you.
The Good
- 3-inch shredded memory foam base
- XXS size available
- Cover comes off for easy clean-up
The Bad
- Cover can disintegrate with repeated washings
Armarkat Pet Bed Mat is an excellent option for large dogs, especially those with a lot of energy. The base is skid-free, so it won’t move, no matter how many times your dog jumps on it. The outer cover consists of heavy-duty canvas, which resists chewing. The cover is removable and entirely washable. There’s an inside waterproof lining to protect against potential accidents. It’s budget-friendly, too.
The downside? It’s not a great choice if you want orthopedic support for your dog.
The Good
- Skid-free base
- Heavy-duty canvas cover to resist chewing
- Budget-friendly
The Bad
- Poor orthopedic support
Let’s admit it – some of our dogs use ANYTHING as a chew toy. Since you don’t want to replace dog beds every week, the Casper Dog Bed is the choice for you. Yup, Casper – the same manufacturers of top human mattresses. Made from TWO layers of supportive memory foam; these beds come with a one-year limited warranty. The durable cover, crafted from bonded microfibers, resists even the most determined chewers. You can remove the cover to toss into the washer and dryer, or you can spot-clean it for little messes. Have a digger? Casper builds excess material into the top that mimics the sensation of loose earth. Best of all? Casper will let you test this dog bed in your home for 30 days!
So what are the downsides? Casper dog beds don’t come cheap. Also, your dog needs to weigh less than 90 pounds.
The Good
- Two layers of memory foam
- Microfiber cover to resist chewers
- Can test-drive bed at home for 30 days
The Bad
- Expensive
- Dogs must weigh less than 90 pounds
The PetFusion Ultimate Lounge with Solid Memory Foam Dog Bed wins the washable category. The cover is not only removable to pop into the washer, it’s water-resistant, to begin with. The central core comes with 4 inches of memory foam to keep your dog cushy and comfortable (the jumbo size has 6 inches). Polyfill in the bolsters provides plenty of lounging opportunities.
Downside? It doesn’t fit in kennels – it’s just too big and bulky.
The Good
- 4 inches of memory foam
- Polyfill bolsters
- Water-resistant AND washable cover
The Bad
- Won't fit in crates
Does your dog experience anxiety? Bolster-style and cave-style beds provide the sensation of safety and comfort. For nervous dogs, this reassurance drops that anxiety level. The Furhaven Pet Dog Bed ranks high in the bolster-style category. Those bolsters let your dog snuggle close, feeling reassured. Customizable, you can choose various fabrics, colors, and what you want for the interior (orthopedic foam, memory foam, or cooling gel). The cover zippers off to pop into the washer.
The downsides? Though stylish and washable, the cover isn’t water-resistant. Also, you either need to hang the cover up to dry or make sure you set your dryer temperature low, or you’re going to shrink it.
The Good
- Choose from orthopedic foam, memory foam, or cooling gel
- Bolsters to provide comfort
- Cover zips off for easy washing
The Bad
- Cover needs to air-dry to prevent shrinking
Let’s say you want to pull out all the stops for your dog. You can’t go wrong with the Sealy Lux Quad Layer Orthopedic Dog Bed. (Even the name tells you it’s lux!) Sealy spared no expense when designing this bed, starting from the pro-charcoal base, which absorbs odors. The four-layered orthopedic foam comes with a five-year warranty. There’s an energy-absorbing cooling gel layer that activates when compressed, keeping your dog comfortable in the warmer months. Wait, I’m not done – the cover slides off for easy washing!
Phew! So what’s the downside? Well, luxury isn’t cheap. All of those fabulous features come with a hefty price tag.
The Good
- 4 layers of orthopedic foam
- Energy-absorbing cooling gel layer
- 5-year warranty
The Bad
- Expensive
Okay, let’s look at the other end of the spectrum. Let’s say you want to pamper your dog without breaking the bank. The Milliard Quilted Padded Orthopedic Dog Bed is the perfect compromise. With a non-skid bottom, it promises to stay where you put it. Made from 4 inches of egg crate foam and topped with a plush pillow top, aging dogs approve. The cover zips off to go straight into the washing machine. Best of all? It fits most carriers.
Downsides? The cover needs air-drying. Also, some people complained it wasn’t as durable as other dog beds.
The Good
- 4 inches of egg crate foam
- Fits inside of carriers
- Cover zips off for easy washing
The Bad
- Cover needs to air-dry
- Not very durable
If you’re crate-training, you know the importance of making sure your dog feels comfortable inside their crate. The MidWest Deluxe Bolster Pet Bed sweeps this category. Why? Its low profile works beautifully with collapsible crates. You leave it inside when you fold the structure down – no need to carry it separately. The bolsters protect your dog from the crate’s edges while giving them somewhere to rest their head. There’s no cover to fuss with – the entire bed goes straight into the washing machine and dryer! They’re very inexpensive, to boot.
The downside? It doesn’t provide orthopedic support. That’s the big reason we stopped using this bed in our dog’s crate, but we loved it otherwise.
The Good
- Stays flat in a collapsible crate
- Comfortable bolsters
- Entire bed goes into the wash
The Bad
- No orthopedic support
Does your dog like spending time outside? While the grass might be soft, you don’t want all of that dirt getting into their fur. Elevated dog beds not only keep dogs cleaner, but they also promote airflow, so your dog stays cooler. (Please note: in extreme heat, it’s still vital for dogs to limit their time outdoors!) The Coolaroo Elevated Dog Bed covers a range of outdoor features. Raised 8 inches from the ground, it provides excellent air circulation. Constructed from powder-coated, lightweight steel, you know it’s going to hold up to the elements. In addition, the mesh fabric is washable and resistant to mold, mildew, mites, and fleas (yay!).
Downsides? It will wear out faster with strictly outdoor use. Also, that mesh fabric won’t hold up to chewers.
The Good
- Elevated 8 inches off the ground
- Powder-coated, lightweight steel
- Mesh fabric resists mold, mildew, mites, and fleas
The Bad
- Wears out quickly with strict outdoor use
- Not designed for chewers
The Big Barker Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Big Barker Pillow Top Orthopedic won this category hands down. Constructed from a whopping 7 INCHES of therapeutic memory foam, your dog’s joints will thank you. With a TEN-YEAR warranty against flattening, you’ll be happy to invest in this dog bed. The microfiber cover comes off and is completely washable. The three sizes accommodate even Great Danes.
The downside? It’s EXPENSIVE. You’ll have to decide if the glowing reviews and outstanding warranty are worth the investment.
The Good
- 7 inch memory foam
- Washable microfiber cover
- 10-year warranty
The Bad
- Expensive
How to choose, right? They’re all so good! But the Majestic Pet Products Suede Bagel Dog Bed came out on top. Designed like a cushy “dumpling” (yeah, I didn’t get the bagel name), your dog gets a central pillow surrounded by bolsters. Sound like a headache to clean? It turns out it ranked better than a lot of other beds in that department. The smaller sizes go directly into the wash in one piece. The bolster consists of a single pillow that’s easy to fit back into the cover for the larger sizes. You then slide the central pad into place – no problem. The cover is actually microsuede (no real suede to worry about), and it’s soft to the touch. With a reasonable price, it’s the total package!
Nothing’s perfect, so what are the downsides? It lacks a non-skid bottom. It also isn’t as durable as some of the more expensive beds.
The Good
- Comfortable "bagel" design
- Easy to wash regardless of size
- Reaonably priced
The Bad
- No non-skid bottom
- Not very durable
Bed Time!
Really, there’s no wrong choice when it comes to dog beds. I mean, our dog tries to sleep in the cats’ beds (never mind that she doesn’t fit). Giving your dog somewhere to call their own, keeping cushioning between the hard floor and their joints, ensuring they stay comfortable – those are the crucial points.
Well, and maybe being able to clean the bed. No one likes a bed they can’t wash.
Take a look at what’s out there. Consider your dog’s health and personality. Think about placement in your house. Then decide what you think will work best for your canine companion.
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