When it comes to choosing a bed for your dog, you'll have many choices. How do you know what to look for? What's the right choice for your pet? Here's some tips to help you choose the best bed for your beloved dog:

Size and Weight

One of the most important considerations it to make sure to choose the right size of dog bed. If your dog is very large, he obviously won't be comfortable on a bed made for small dogs. The same goes for smaller dogs. A small dog won't be as comfortable in a large bed. Make sure to choose a bed that is the right size for your dog's size and weight. In most cases, the sizes available will be pretty simple. Typical sizes are small, medium, large and extra large. You may need to weigh and measure your dog to get the best size. Don't forget to consider if your dog is still growing. You'll want to get a bed that will fit your dog when it is grown as well.

Health

The health of your dog is an important, yet often overlooked consideration. If your dog is young and in good health, then any dog bed should be ok. However, older dogs, dogs with chronic illness or problems like arthritis may need a special bed. There are special orthopedic dog beds available which typically use memory foam, and these beds are great for dogs that need extra comfort for health reasons.

Materials

Is your dog a chewer? Then the materials that the bed is made from are crucial. If you choose a cheaper dog bed, the bed may not last very long. Cheaper dog beds will be made of cheaper fabric and have less reinforced stitching. Your dog may chew a cheap bed apart in a matter of days. It's better to invest in a bed that is made of higher quality materials, which should last a long time.

Cleanliness

For dogs that tend to play in the dirt or mud, you'll want a bed that is easy to clean. If it's a pillow style bed, make sure that the cover can be taken off and laundered.

Placement

Will the dog bed be placed inside or outside the house? Or perhaps in the garage? The placement of the bed is crucial when it comes to choosing the right bed. If the bed will be placed outside, even if it is inside a dog house, it will need to be tougher and made of water resistant materials. A raised dog bed may be a good choice for an outdoor bed, since it will be easier to keep dry. If the bed will be in the garage, make sure to choose a bed that has plenty of cushioning under it, to have a barrier from the cold garage floor.

Comfort

If your dog like to burrow, then consider a bed that has extra flaps that allows for the dog to burrow under them. If the dog likes to be cuddled, then consider an extra fluffy bed with lots of stuffing. Most of all, if your dog isn't comfortable, then the dog bed is useless. So, try to take your dog to the pet store and try out the beds to see which they like best.