Your dog deserves to be comfortable and clean when he’s relaxing or sleeping. So, dog bedding is a very important purchase. Your dog will spend a lot of time on his bedding, so make sure it’s special to him, by considering the dog bedding buying tips on this page.
There’s designer dog bedding for the pampered pooch, orthopedic dog bedding for older dogs or dogs with hip problems, and of course, puppy-sized dog bedding for your newest family addition.
It’s easy to find discount dog bedding online, especially if you shop at dog.com – they’ve always got something you can trust on sale.
Here are some buying tips when you shop for dog bedding:
- Think about your dog’s adult size, and buy dog bedding they won’t outgrow.
- Consider your climate. If it’s very cold in the winter, consider heated dog bedding, or at least something that stores heat such as covered (tent style) dog bedding.
- Observe how your dog likes to sleep – some sprawl out on their bellies or even sleep on their backs, others love to curl up. There are donut style dog beds, rectangular-shaped dog bedding, and yes, even doggie hammocks.
- Some dogs like to chew on everything that belongs to them. If you’ve got a dog who chews on everything he owns, you might as well make “durability” a factor in choosing your dog bedding.
- Make sure your dog bedding selection can be washed easily. Look for “machine washable dog bedding” in the web catalog description or on the box, when you buy.
- Dogs with arthritis, aging dogs, and dogs with hip problems – all will appreciate orthopedic dog bedding to help them sleep pain-free.
- Remember that a discount dog bed might not always be cheap in the long run. Look for good dog beds on sale, instead of the factory surplus dog bedding that’s only on discount because they’re basically disposable garbage!
- Large dog bedding is built differently, to be more durable for more wear and tear. In fact, large dog bedding is a separate topic all to itself.
- There are indoor/outdoor dog beds that are also very durable and are usually machine washable.
- Designer dog beds are obviously a more expensive solution, and require a bit more care. Still, they look fantastic! My only caution here is, don’t get a raised sofa-style dog bed for a dog with hip dysplasia, because going to bed shouldn’t be a chore.
- Don’t forget dog bedding for your dog’s crate, too. These come in specific sizes. When you’re shopping for crate bedding, make sure it fits and the edges won’t curl up, making a bowl shape that’s smaller than your dog can comfortably fit into.
- Heated dog beds are great for wintry climates. There are also specifically-sized heated dog pads for your crate or kennel.
Return to the dog training homepage or read about other dog supplies.