Top 5 Tips on Choosing a Pet Bed

Top 5 Tips on Choosing a Pet Bed

Dog on a grey, memory foam bed in a bedroom.
Dogs, cats, and other small pets often enjoy the cozy softness of a warm bed, just as humans do. Pet beds are designed with a variety of needs, habits, and preferences in mind. From orthopedic foam cushions to elegant replicas of human furniture, pet beds can be both practical and stylish additions to your home. Keeping these tips in mind while you shop can help you choose the best bed for your pet.
Dog on a grey, memory foam bed in a bedroom.

Pet Bed Shopping Tips:


1

Weigh and measure your pet before you shop for pet beds.

Measure your pet from tail to nose with a tape measure. This is especially important if your dog, cat, or other pet likes to stretch out when he or she lounges. Your pet will appreciate getting the right-sized bed. Pets who do not stretch out and who prefer the feeling of being cradled may prefer smaller, rounded pet beds. Some pet bed sizes are based on weight. Large, heavy animals often require thicker, denser cushions on pet beds. The weight of the pet will flatten thinner cushions, and the bed won’t be as comfortable.


2

Choose where you will put the pet bed.

This may also influence the size and style of pet bed you should choose. For example, if you are buying a bed for a cat and wish to place it on a small table near a window, the bed should not overlap the table edges.


3

Determine which features are important.

If your pet has arthritis, for example, beds with very thick padding or a memory foam bed may be best. Some pet beds are heated, which is beneficial for pets that chill easily, such as hairless cats and small, short-haired dogs or aging pets. Pets who crawl beneath beds or find other secluded areas to sleep may enjoy a hooded pet bed more than an open bed.


4

Select a color and style you feel comfortable with.

Pet beds come in many colors and designs; you may as well choose one that matches your decorating tastes. This may mean matching a blue pet bed with your own blue sofa. Or, you may wish to get a pet bed that contrasts with the other furniture and is a little on the wild side — an animal print, for instance.


5

Look at the washing instructions before purchasing.

Pet beds will get dirty and must either be washed or replaced. Most are covered with machine-washable materials, but make sure the rest of the bed is also easily washed.