When you decide to bring home a puppy or adopt an adult dog you need to equip your home with certain basic supplies such as toys, food , grooming tools etc. One of the first priorities in this is to get a dog bed. There is a wide variety of dog beds available in the market. You can choose from fully machine washable dog beds or you can select ones for that are waterproof and hand-washable. These days, there are sturdy beds for chewers too-something that can come in handy when your dog is teething. If your pet is suffering from arthritis or has severe joint pain, then you might want to invest in the best orthopedic dog bed to make him comfortable.Let us take a look at the best dog beds in different categories as well as ways to choose a dog bed to best suit your pet’s needs.
How to select a dog bed
There are a number of factors to choose from when it comes to selecting a dog bed.
Based on your pet’s size
Today you can buy the best dog beds for small, medium and large dogs. You can select a bed based on the dog’s breed too. Pet parents often buy a smaller bed for their puppy but one must remember that they grow up in no time. So you must always consider investing in a full sized bed for an adult dog. Alternatively, you can choose to make a homemade bed for your puppy in the beginning and later invest in a larger bed once fully grown.
Based on your pet’s temperament
There are some dogs, especially younger ones that love to chew on everything. So you could consider best dog beds for chewers. Puppies going through the teething phase can benefit from such beds that are virtually indestructible and can withstand heavy duty chewing. Most chew-resistant dog beds are made from harmless ingredients that will not harm your pet.
Bed for the crate
It is a great idea to get your pet used to crate training from an early age. Crate trained puppies get used to sleeping alone through the night. A crate also comes in handy when you are trying to stop puppy from chewing up furniture while teething phase is on. So select a bed that can fit inside the crate.
Based on the bed’s looks
A good bed for dog should be comfortable, durable and also look great in your home. These days, you can choose from donut shaped, bagel shaped, igloo style covered dog beds, cot and sofa style couch beds as well as other attractive shapes that are sure to make your pet feel loved and also match your home’s interiors.
Light weight and washable dog beds
Puppies and elderly dogs can have accidents on the bed. So select an easy to wash, cotton filled dog bed with removable outer cover that can be washed easily. For frequent travelers, select a light weight durable dog bed that can be carried on your adventures.
Durable and long lasting beds
Select a dog bed that is sturdy and durable. Avoid unsafe bed with harmful materials like wicker or plastic. Some harmful materials also break and develop spikes that can hurt your pet. Best dog beds tend to be expensive; so you naturally want them to last for years and years.
Homemade beds
If you want to save money, you can make a homemade dog bed from an old cardboard box. Line it up with blankets and sheets for your pet to sleep in. As stated above, you can also make a bed inside your dog’s crate. Choose a crate large enough for your pet and line it up with wee pads, newspapers and dog mattress or old blankets and sheets. Add plenty of chew toys so your pup will not chew up the bed. If you love DIY projects, you can also make a dog bed at home. Here is a great video tutorial on how to make a no-sew dog bed.
Best Dog Beds in Different Categories
Here are top brands of dog beds for different needs and requirements.
Best washable dog beds for large dog
PetFusion Large Dog Bed with Memory Foam
The dog beds from PetFusion come in dimensions of 26” depth x 36” width. PetFusion large beds are suitable for large and medium sized dogs. The cotton cover is removable and you can wash it in the machine. This is a bed suitable for large dogs like Golden Retrievers, Labradors and German Shepherds etc.
Cons – It is not chew resistant.
Best dog beds for small dogs
Brindle Soft Shredded Memory Foam Dog Bed with Washable Cover
This is a portable, lightweight, bed with orthopedic memory foam. It comes in 4 different colors and different dimensions for small and medium dogs. The cover is machine washable-you can use different settings from hot to cold.
Best dog bed for medium dogs
FurHaven Pet Dog Orthopedic Quilted Sofa Style Couch
This bed has a zippered removable, washable cover. It is ideal for medium breeds like Cocker Spaniel, beagles etc. It has a cozy quilted surface and orthopedic foam base. The high loft, polyester fiber filling is tested extensively for durability and provides ultimate comfort to pets.
Fully Machine Washable Dog Beds
eLuxury Supply Orthopedic Dog Beds With Cotton Encasement Fully Washable Cover
This dog bed comes in different sizes for small, medium and large dogs. It is a fully machine washable dog bed and is also suitable for pets having joint aches. The inner layer is gel infused memory foam.
Cons– It is not waterproof.
Best orthopedic dog beds
BigBarker Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed For Large Dogs
The orthopedic dog bed from BigBarker comes in various sizes such as Large, XL and even XXL as well as in four different colors. The therapeutic memory foam will not flatten and can last for years. It is manufactured proudly in California. The 100% microfiber cover is easy to wash.
Cons– It is expensive. Also a few users complained that the cover gets crinkly after frequent use. Some owners also noticed holes and hanging foam near the zipper within a few uses. The replacement cover costs more than $100.
Best dog bed for chewers
PetBed4Less Premium Orthopedic Memory Foam with Waterproof Liner and Removable Washable Cover
The reason why this dog bed from PetBed4Less is ideal for chewers is because the entire cover as well as inner material is made from chew resistant fabric. Note that the company states that this bed is not 100% chew-proof; but pets do not want to chew its Kevlar coating. The manufacturer also cautions keeping the bed away from highly aggressive chewers. Advantages of this bed include- ease of assembly and cleaning. It also comes with two covers.
Cons– Some users complain of poor quality covers. Not completely chew-proof as stated before.