How to Choose a Dog Bed

So, you’ve decided on getting a dog. Getting your own bundle of sunshine is definitely a life-changing experience, but you’ll need a few things to let the dog settle in. In particular, you’ll want to find a dog bed that’s right for your latest family member.

But how do you know which dog bed to buy? Well, that’s where we come in. We’ve listed some of the most important tips to remember when picking out your puppy’s new dog bed. Some of these tips are obvious, while others you probably may have not thought of yet. 

Set a Price Range

Unless you’re the type of person to spare no expense for your pets, you probably need to set a budget for dog beds beforehand. Dog beds can be dirt cheap or extremely expensive, depending on the brand and materials used. Even the design of the dog bed can affect its price.

But while setting a budget can help you save up on cash, there’s just one problem – in some cases, you’ll probably have to spend more than what you were planning with. Why? Some features just don’t come at lower prices. For example, larger dog beds will cost you, on average, more than smaller ones. Beds with better material will be pricier than those with common fabric, and so on.

With that being said, that doesn’t mean you can’t set a budget when choosing a dog bed. A great way to stick to a budget when finding dog beds is by browsing the Internet for dog beds that suit your preferences. Then, list down the prices of each, and try to figure a rough estimate on the average price. You’ll then be able to figure out which dog beds are bang for your buck, and which ones are a little too steep for your wallet.

At the end of the day, however, it’s best if you can set aside a reasonably large budget for the dog bed. They’re a worthwhile investment, as they’ll be the place where your dog will spend a good portion of their lives in. You might as well make it as comfy for them as possible, you know?

Determine its Size

Dog beds come in more than one size. And for good reason – there are dog breeds as small as a purse and as large as an entire table. Depending on how large your dog is, you’ll want to pick accordingly. Pro tip: if your dog’s still a puppy, or has room to grow, buy a bed that’ll fit their size when they become an adult. If you aren’t sure exactly how large they’re going to end up being, you can look up the average adult size of the breed. Alternatively, you can just ask anybody from your local pet store for assistance.

Choose a Bed That Fits in Your Home

If you’re buying a large dog bed for your Great Dane or Golden Retriever, you might want to first check to see if it can even fit in your living space. This is especially important if you live in a small, studio-sized apartment or room. Even if you can afford a nice bed for your dog, it won’t matter if you can’t place it anywhere at home.

If you want to find a dog bed that fits your home, you should first find suitable spots for the bed first. Don’t just pick one spot for the bed to be placed in – you may end up wanting to move it somewhere else in the future. Try finding all the spots in your house that would be perfect for your dog bed. Then, get the dimensions for the smallest spot, and you now know the largest size your dog bed should be.

Pick a Manageable Bed

Cleaning a dog bed isn’t easy. Dogs do practice self-hygiene, but they don’t exactly wash their paws or shower their fur all by themselves. Over time, your dog bed will not only accumulate dirt and waste from your dog but also dust from the surrounding environment. If you don’t want to keep on cleaning the dog bed regularly, you’ll want to find a bed that’s made of an easy-to-clean material.

Unfortunately, it isn’t that easy. Some of the nicest-looking material for dog beds, such as faux fur, are notorious for being hard to clean. You’re going to make a decision at the end of the day – either pick nice-looking fabrics that are a chore to clean, or go for simpler materials that don’t look as fancy. Either way, your dog shouldn’t mind too much about the materials, so you can choose for yourself.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-clean bed, we recommend beds made out of microfiber. Microfiber’s a wondrous material, as they’re not only easy to clean but also pretty affordable. Dog beds made out of microfiber are usually cheaper than beds made out of other material, so you’ll be saving a pretty penny getting them, too. 

Find a Design That Suits Your Home and Dog

Not everybody cares for the design of their dog bed. But if you’ve got an eye for design, you’ll probably want to spend some time looking for a bed that fits your home (and your dog) well. If you’ve got a modern-looking household, minimal beds with pastel colors will fit right in. More rustic homes may be better paired with dog beds that have built-in frames or rustic colors. It’s definitely not a necessity, but choosing a design that’s right for your home can really spice up your everyday life.

Conclusion

Choosing a dog bed for your pet isn’t all too difficult. As long as you stick to a budget, find a size that fits your home, and choose the right material, your dog will be sleeping in the perfect bed in no time. Just remember that the bed you choose will be the bed that they’ll be napping in for years to come, so you’d better choose wisely.