Why Your Dog Needs a Dog Bed

There is nothing like a soft, comfortable, cozy bed to help you get a good night's sleep, right? Well your dog probably feels the same way. And, if you are trying to keep your dog from taking over your expensive new couch, your favorite chair or hogging your bed, a nice, soft comfortable dog bed is what he or she needs.

Dogs need to have a place of their own, a place they can retreat to and feel safe and unbothered. And a dog bed is important for health reasons, too, especially for large dogs, which can develop callouses or sores over bony areas like elbows from sleeping or laying n hard surfaces.

Whether you want a designer dog bed for your pampered pooch, a sturdy iron dog bed or you're looking in general for dog beds - quilted fabric or plush or sheepskin, you can find a great selection of dog beds on line.

What to Look for in a Dog Bed

Typically what you look for in a dog bed is sturdiness, comfort, support, easy care and style. If your dog is a chewer, look for a dog bed made from heavyweight, upholstery-grade fabric such as nylon or polyester. Many have zippers so you can unzip the cover and throw it in the washer for easy cleaning.

Getting the Proper Bed Size for Your Pet

Have your dog lie down then measure his/her length while lying down and add 12 inches. For the slumber ball style beds mentioned below, typically you add only 6-7 inches.

What Kind of Dog Bed Should You Get

Some dogs like to curl in a ball so they can nice and cozy. They may like a slumber ball style, sort of like a bean bag, that conforms to their body. There are other beds that look more like mattresses. Typically rectangular, oval-shaped, these beds are usually made from a durable fabric that can easily be wiped down, like nylon. These beds are often filled with poly-fil; others have inner springs like "people beds," and still others are filled with foam; these are particularly good for older, arthritic dogs because they provide a lot of support as well. Other popular styles are "nests" or "cuddlers," with a foam, fabric-covered base and raised sides. They typically have an inner liner, or bed, made of lambswool (real or imitation). They come in a variety of shapes, such as oval, round and rectangular.

There are also special orthopedic beds for older dogs to help relieve joint pain, others filled with special odor-eating material to keep the bed smelling fresh.

For your little prince or princess, you can also get a variety of designer dog beds made from custom-selected materials. Popular choices include a four poster wrought iron dog bed and plush beds in unique colors, shapes and themes.

The choices in dog beds is almost endless, you can get just about anything you want, depending on your dogs preferences and needs, and your wallet.

Recommended Sites

Drs. Foster & Smith is the largest catalog and online seller of pet supplies in the U.S. They feature high quality pet products for enhancing pet health and well-being. Products include healthy pet foods, vitamin supplements, pet meds, nutraceuticals, furniture, bedding, and more, often at lower prices than what you may find in retail pet stores. In addition to carrying thousands of name-brands, Drs. Foster & Smith have their own high quality brand name products, all American-made. They offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee – If you're not satisfied with a product you purchase from Drs. Foster & Smith you can return it for a full refund of the product price – no questions asked. Save at the Drs. Foster and Smith Flea and Tick Sale! Offer ends 5.12.08! Get Free Ground Shipping on Flea and Tick Products through Dec '08 !
SitStay.com offers an extraordinary range of dog supplies at great prices. They carry everything from beds, crates, leashes and grooming supplies to food and treats, toys, clothing (including "outdoor wear"), dog flea and tick control and other pet meds, travel carriers and dog seat belts, plus dog training books. Their products are hand-picked and SitStay dog-tested, and they offer personal, friendliness service. Prices are extremely competitive, online transactions are secure, shipping costs are low (based on actual UPS cost to your zipcode) and shipping is fast. SitStay is a member of BBB Online and they have received national recognition from BizRate.com for their customer service and support. We also like that SitStay donates portion of their proceeds to canine rescue organizations. Use Promotion Code DOGLOVER and save 10% on your next order.

PetSmart.com is an excellent resource for finding every from the basics like leashes, toys, flea control, cages and carriers, etc., to stylish clothing for your fashion-conscious dog. Find merino wool cardigans and coat, fedora hats, polos and even Holiday costumes. Also, PetSmart offers personalized dog beds, dog feeders and waterers, a great selection of Kong, Booda and other dog toys, premium dog foods, grooming supplies and more. PetSmart has a Satisfaction Guaranteed policy and will refund your credit card on returns within 48 hours of receiving the returned merchandise. Your credit card transactions are secure under SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), the industry standard security protocol, and PetSmart has a Safe Shopper Guarantee. Free shipping on your order of $50 or more thru Jun 30, 2008. Click for more Special Offers at PetSmart.com