How to Find the Right Large Dog Bed

Finding the best large dog bed for your canine friend can be nerve wracking. Sure, it sounds easy enough, but walk into the pet store and you'll quickly see that it isnt simple at all. Dog beds come in all shapes and sizes, and choosing the best bed for your dog can be a tricky endeavor.

All large dog beds come in some various styles and types. Pillow-type beds are the most common type, and most often are shaped either circular or rectangular. Pillow beds usually come with a removable cover that can be washed, with the inside filling of the bed consisting of standard stuffing, foam, or cedar. While all of these types of padding provide excellent comfort, cedar is especially useful for use outdoors, as it is a natural flea repellent, and gives off a pleasant, natural scent. Dogs that like to sleep stretched out tend to like these types of bed, as they allow them to spread out fully while sleeping and resting.

Doughnut dog beds are a very common type of bed for small dogs, but some large dog beds also come in this style. These beds can come in two pieces, such as a low-sided wicker basket with a flat bed inside, or an-all fabric design where the outer portion is padded and built up and the inner circle, or "hole" of the doughnut is padded less, giving the dog a nest to cuddle into. Some dogs prefer these types of beds to all others, especially dogs who tend to like to nest into their beds to feel secure. Many a large dog has tried unsuccessfully to fit into doughnut beds for their much smaller animal siblings, with comical results as the big dog spills out over the sides of the small bed. If your dog is a "nester" he or she will appreciate getting a doughnut bed in the right size!

Elevated dog beds are a newer type, with many variations of construction and design, from miniature couches to suspended hammock-type beds. The idea of these types of beds are to keep dogs above the cold ground and drafty floor level, also allowing older dogs to get up from laying down more easily. Your dog may take some convincing at first that its a safe place to sleep, but after an introduction, most dogs decide that the strange look is worth the added comfort!

Orthopedic dog beds are another variation of large dog bed that can be especially useful for large breed dogs. All dogs, but especially bigger dogs tend to develop arthritis as they age, and often experience stiffness or even difficulty getting off the floor. Orthopedic dog beds can help to alleviate that stiffness and make it easier for an older dog to get up and around after resting. Orthopedic dog beds come in many common styles of beds that are already available, but utilize more modern types of padding for increased comfort, such as orthopedic mattress foam, gel-foam and even built-in heating elements to increase comfort and circulation within the joints.

Selecting the right dog bed for a large dog can be confusing, but if you carefully match the needs of your dog with its preferences and your needs, finding the right dog bed for your home can be done easily.

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