Sleeping Style

Just like humans, dogs also have preferred sleeping styles! While some are sprawlers (if you've shared a bed with one, then you know), while others prefer to curl up in cute little balls. You might even have a dog that loves to sleep on their back with their limbs spread out looking like the picture of careless comfort (the life!). It's always a good idea to evaluate your dog's sleeping habits before buying a dog bed.

You'll also want to consider the placement of your dog bed. You may have noticed that your dog prefers to sleep all night in one position but nap in a completely different one. This is when it might be useful to have one type of bed in the living room for afternoon naps and one in the bedroom for sleeping.

If your dog prefers to sprawl out, you'll want to select a bed that's large enough to fit their entire body, and then some. We'd advise sizing up in any bed you get for dogs that sleep like this. Some dogs like to sleep with their heads propped up, so beds with bolsters around the sides are the perfect fit. For burrowers, Eric and Rashi recommend a canopy-style bed that they can dig into and get underneath. And for dogs that sleep curled up, a round bed with bolstered edges will give them plenty of comfort and security.

Durability

Dog beds can definitely get expensive, so if we're shelling out the big bucks then we expect these beds to last for years. There are a few features that can definitely extend the life of your dog bed but Eric and Rashi warn against getting your hopes too high when it comes to a bed that'll last your dog's entire life. "When you're talking about a younger dog or a puppy that could live 14 to 15 years, typically, no, that bed is not going to last that long," Eric says. "There are a few companies out there that make tough beds that could potentially last that long, but you also have to take into consideration if you're someone who updates or likes different aesthetics over time."

One feature that extends the life of a bed dramatically is a waterproof liner. This liner essentially acts as a protective layer in between the bed cushion and the outer layer your dog will sleep on. Usually it can be easily removed, but you should only need to spot clean it since it's waterproof. Waterproof liners are particularly great if you have a dog that you still worry may have accidents occasionally.

Even if you don't get a bed with a waterproof liner, though, you'll still need to make sure your dog bed is washable. "Something we look for are washable beds. That's something that we absolutely require for sanitary purposes," Eric says. "And beds that are easy to put back together after washing," Rashi adds. "We've had a few beds where we'll look at each other and ask, 'Are you putting it back together or am I?' because they're so tough.

"While it may be easy to throw your small dog's bed into the washer as a whole (which Eric and Rashi do themselves!), it's tougher to wash a large dog bed in its entirety, which is when removable liners and easy-to-clean materials come in handy. "For our large dogs, I really like beds that are made out of nylon or a waterproof material that has a lining," Eric says. "Because those are usually a little more difficult to put back together so I like to get ones that can be easily cleaned with disinfectant or even hosed off. Nylon is really easy to get fur off of."

And if you have a chewer, you'll definitely want to look into a bed that is made of a tough material, like nylon, that'll be difficult for them to get their teeth into. Additionally, many companies make dog beds that have lifetime warranties specifically for chewers. Whatever you do, though, just make sure they don't ingest the stuffing or foam material of the actual cushion. This stuffing can essentially gum up in their stomach and mean potentially costly surgeries.

Particularly with puppies, it's probably a good idea to wait a few weeks or months before buying them their first bed. "We don't usually give beds to puppies, initially," Rashi says. "We give them plush towels so they can burrow and if they destroy them it's not the end of the world. Whereas if you have a dog bed, especially with stuffing, we want to make sure the puppy isn't ingesting the stuffing," Eric adds.

Support

It's no surprise that a Shih Tzu doesn't need the same amount of support as a Labrador Retriever. While comfort filling might be enough to cater to a small dog, larger dogs need a dog bed with a mattress that will hold up under their weight. We evaluated each dog bed's supportiveness based on the size of dog it was intended for.

"The size of the dog and the age of the dog are really important," Eric says. With older dogs, you should look for a bed that has a firmer cushion and a low point of entry. If your elderly dog likes a bolstered dog bed, be sure that at least the front has a low point of entry so they won't have to lift their legs too high to get in.