How To Choose a Dog Bed

Choosing the right dog bed is an important decision. After all, a dog can easily spend 14 hours a day or more sleeping. And as a cherished member of the family, your pet deserves no less than the very best sleeping accommodations. Even a dog who shares your bed at night needs a special place to claim as his own: a quiet sanctuary for peaceful, uninterrupted naps.

Before you make this important purchase, consider your dog's age, size, health, breed, activity level and sleeping habits. Think about how the dog bed will look in your home. Will the color blend with your décor? Does the size fit your dog and your room? Is the bed easy to launder?

With so many choices available in the marketplace today, you can rest easy knowing that we've curated an extensive sleep selection that reflects our eye for smart design, uncompromised quality, dog-approved comfort and owner-approved ease.

For lasting value and satisfaction, we recommend choosing the highest quality dog bed your budget allows, rather than a bargain bed that will soon need replacing.

Choosing the Shape

This is an important decision, and one your dog can help you with. Observe him as he sleeps. Does he like to curl up, burrow in, sprawl out or lean back? Most dogs fall into one of these four "sleep personality" categories.

Curlers

Curlers like to be securely surrounded by their bed's contours and would be happiest with a cozy round or oval donut bed or bolster-style bed.

Burrowers

Burrowers like to dig in and go undercover, making a cozy nest or cave-style bed ideal.

Sprawlers

Sprawlers spread out in all directions, and prefer the freedom and simplicity of a rectangular pillow bed or roomy pad.

Leaners

Leaners enjoy the support and security of a bolster-style bed or dog couch.

Choosing the Support

While young and healthy dogs will slumber soundly on a bed plumped with resilient, high-quality polyfiberfill, polyfill or foam, many dogs require the extra support that only an orthopedic dog bed can provide.

Dogs who are aging or arthritic, suffer from hip dysplasia or are recovering from injury will benefit from sleeping on an orthopedic dog bed. High-density orthopedic foam soothes aches and pains, reduces stress on joints, hips and pressure points, and provides superior support. For exceptional comfort and therapeutic relief, look for beds made with authentic, NASA-certified orthopedic memory foam.

Choosing the Design

Because a dog bed is a visible part of your home décor, it should reflect your own sense of style as well as your dog's. Our collection includes a beautiful selection of luxe, upholstery-grade fabrics—plush microvelvet, sumptuous chenille, cuddly Sherpa fleece, shaggy faux fur, rugged canvas and lots more—in the newest decorator colors and designer patterns to enhance any room.

Easy Clean Features

Because every dog bed eventually gets dirty, wet or smelly, we've made sure that every bed we sell is machine washable or has a removable, machine-washable cover.

Special Beds for Special Dogs

Is your dog a senior with mobility issues, or one who suffers from arthritis or hip dysplasia? Simple, low-profile dog beds such as pillows, nappers, pads and mats are easily accessible to an aging or aching pet.

If your dog is elderly, incontinent or prone to accidents, look for an easy-to-launder bed with a waterproof liner.

For the dog-on-the-go, portable travel beds provide instant, familiar comfort and convenience when you're on the road.

Need a bed you can use outdoors? Our weatherproof dog beds, cots and futons let your dog camp out in comfort on your deck or porch, join you by the pool or relax under a shady tree—and they're so attractive, you can move them into your home as the seasons change.

Determining the Correct Size

Before ordering a dog bed, make sure to measure your dog from nose to base of tail while he's in his sleeping position, then add 8" to 12" to determine the bed length or diameter.

If in doubt, always round up in size to ensure maximum comfort. Then doublecheck to make sure the bed you've selected will fit into the spot you've chosen in your home.