Selecting a Bed For Your Dog – How to Decide on a Dog Bed

For most people it’s just too inconvenient to take their dog to a pet store and shop for dog beds. A trip to the pet store will most likely be too scary or distracting for your dog to even pay attention to the beds you are looking at anyway. Since it is usually impractical to let your dog choose a bed, you will need to know the things to consider when choosing a bed on your dogs behalf.

There are many things you need to consider when choosing a bed for you dog. The first and most important factor is the size of the bed. You need to find a dog bed that is big enough and strong enough to comply with your dog’s size and temperament. You can get the right fit for your dog by taking some measurements. To do this Measure your dog while they are standing up. Start by taking a measurement from the tip of nose to the base of tail. Next, take a measurement from the floor to the shoulders or head. If you’re thinking of buying a mattress dog bed, you will need to add 12 inches to the two measurements you have taken. By doing this you can get an approximate width and length for a flat dog bed. Measure your dog another time in his favorite sleeping position; perhaps his length when fully stretched out, or his diameter when curled into a ball. For nest beds, measure the length of your dog while he is curled up in the sleeping position. To do this, measure from the top of the head to the point where the tail meets the hindquarters and then add 7 to 9 inches to this measurement.

The most comfortable dog bed for your dog will usually be a little larger than your measurements. If you end up with a bed that is too small, it will probably not be comfortable for your dog. You should allow room for growth, if your dog is still a puppy, and you want to make sure there is room for your dog to move regardless of whether your dog is still growing or if he’s full grown.

Another important factor to consider is the weather where you live. You will need to choose a dog bed that can stand up to whatever Mother Nature throws at it. Some questions you must ask yourself are: Do you want your dog bed to provide warmth in the winter or provide air circulation in the summer? Will you being using this bed in your house or outside in a dog house? What are the seasonal temperature ranges where you live? Taking these questions into consideration when shopping for a dog bed are essential to find the bed for your dog.

To make sure that the dog bed does not clash with the style and colors of the décor in your house, the shape, style, and color of the bed you choose should be given serious consideration. You should choose the shape and style of the dog bed by considering the size and sleeping habits of your dog. Pay close attention to what position you dog sleeps in and where they sleep. Choosing a bed that can be easily moved about the house and fits the decor in several rooms can be helpful. You should choose a bed that matches the room where your dog spends the most time sleeping. A very important factor is the height of dog beds. You may not want to consider a platform or furniture type dog bed for Small dog or dogs with arthritis that may have a difficult time climbing.

Selecting the shape of your dogs bed is another very important factor when shopping for a dog bed. Dog beds come in several different shapes; round nests, donut or cuddler beds, round fluffy balls or pillows, square flat mattresses and sofa shaped furniture. To select the right shape for your dog, you need to pay attention to how he sleeps. If your dog curls up when sleeping, then a nest bed is probably the right choice for him. Nest beds provide great cold-weather insulation as well since your dog can snuggle down inside of them. Most nesting beds are just fabric and fill and are only good for indoor use.

A more conventional dog bed mattress should be your choice if your pet stretches out when he sleeps. Mattress beds let your dog move around more and curl and stretch.

Dogs that enjoy stretching out and curling up usually do well with furniture dog beds. These small sofas are great for snuggling and the long length make them great for stretching out. These beds are often more expensive because they many are made with wood frames like real sofas and couches.

Another type of dog beds are platform style dog beds, many of which can be used outdoors. Platform style dog beds are often made from wood or plastic and provide an elevated sleeping area. Platform style dog beds are great for hot weather because many of them allow for air circulation.

Because Dogs can be messy, you need to make sure that your dog bed cover is up to the challenge. You should look for machine-washable fabrics that can be removed and washed in the laundry. Make sure that the seams are double-stitched to ensure durability. Stain-resistant fabric for your dog bed is another great feature to look for. Many sofa-type dog beds can be purchased with a washable slip cover which is worth the extra money when it comes time to clean.

Your dog’s health and comfort depend upon his getting a good night’s sleep. Making an informed decision when you buy a dog bed will benefit your dog for years to come.

My eight year old black lab, Max, has arthritis and the factors that have been mentioned in this article helped me find the right bed for Max. After a search for the right bed at the big pet stores and on the internet for the right dog bed for Max, I ended up finding the right bed at ItsAllGoingToTheDogs.com [http://www.itsallgoingtothedogs.com/] in the Bedding [http://www.itsallgoingtothedogs.com/bedding.html] section there.

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