SearchHow To Choose The Right Dog Beds For Large Dogs
Everyone in your family deserves a comfy place to snooze — and that includes your furry friends, no matter how big or small! If you’re on the hunt for the perfect dog bed for your large pup but aren’t sure what to pick, keep reading.
In this article, we’ll discuss several factors to consider when choosing a large dog bed, from your dog’s preferred sleeping position and their health needs to your home air quality (yes, your dog’s bed can affect indoor air quality).
Let’s take a look.
Large Dog Beds: Factors To Consider
Size
If a large dog has stolen your heart, you’ll need a large or extra-large dog bed for your furry friend. Be sure to check the measurements of the bed you’re considering.
For example, our Washable & Orthopedic Pet Bed comes in three sizes with raised edges for ultimate coziness.
The large bed measures 29 by 54 inches total, with the inner sleep area measuring 22 by 47 inches. It’s perfect for Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Great Danes.
To give you perspective, the medium size is ideal for Bulldogs, Australian Shepherds, and Smaller Labs, and the full bed measures 25 by 40 inches. The small bed fits Pomeranians, Toy Poodles, and Pugs at 20 by 25 inches.
But your dog’s size isn’t the only consideration when measuring dog beds. You’ll also need to think about their sleep position.
How Your Dog Sleeps
When shopping for a dog bed, ask yourself how your pup typically sleeps. They might curl up in a ball, sprawl out on their side, or lie back-to-back with their doggy pal. Click here to read more about dog sleep habits and positions.
Even if you need to pull out the measuring tape to double-check, you’ll want to be sure the dog bed is big enough to accommodate your dog in their natural sleep position.
Your Pet’s Health Needs
Your dog’s health needs might dictate the type of large dog bed you choose. For example, a raised bed can help your dog stay warmer since they aren’t on the floor. But elderly dogs or dogs that have just had surgery might have a hard time getting in and out of a raised bed.
A heated dog bed (like a heated blanket) is another option for dogs with aches and pains or for any dog during the cold months. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to place it near an outlet since it has to be plugged in.
And, if your pet chews everything in sight, the cord could quickly become a safety hazard.
We recommend an orthopedic dog bed that takes the pressure off of your dog’s joints, provides the support they need, and offers unbeatable comfort.
Keep in mind that fluffy does not always equal orthopedic support! Take a closer look at the dog bed you’re considering to see if it’s what your dog needs.
Where You’ll Put The Dog Bed
Another factor to consider is where you’ll put the dog bed. Of course, it needs to be in a location where your furry friend is happy sleeping.
Wherever that place is, you might want to choose the style and color of the dog bed accordingly. No one said the dog bed can’t match the room’s decor!
Plus, the location of the dog bed may affect the type of dog bed you choose. As we mentioned, a heated dog bed will have to be placed near an outlet.
Or, for example, if you’re looking for an outdoor dog bed to go by the pool, you’ll want a different type of dog bed material than if you were planning to put it in the living room.
Washability
When it comes to choosing a dog bed, prioritize washability. You won’t regret it. A large dog bed that’s easy to clean means you won’t worry about pee-pee mishaps, shedding season, and the general dirt of everyday fun.
Our Washable & Orthopedic Pet Bed is durable, scratch-resistant, and completely washable from cover to core.
The fully removable cover can easily be removed and tossed into the washing machine, and the Wovenaire® core can be hosed off or taken into the shower for a full clean. Talk about easy.
How do you go about it?
To clean the cover and bolsters, unzip the cover to remove the bolsters and the core. Zip the cover closed then wash it in the washing machine with cold water and detergent before drying it on low. If you find that the bolsters are soiled, too, you can wash them separately.
As for the core itself, plop it in the shower or tub to hand-rinse it with cold water and mild detergent. To dry it well, shake it out and let it air dry. Just be sure to avoid heat or direct sun.
If you’re wishing your human baby’s crib mattress was that easy to clean, here’s some happy news: Our Crib Mattress is also 100% washable.
Our dog beds are made with the same technology as our award-winning Crib Mattress, and they’re both completely washable and breathable.
For babies, the breathable technology means no more sweaty backs in the morning, and it allows them to breathe right through the mattress in case they roll over in the middle of the night.
They’ll rest easy. You can, too.
Air Quality
How can a dog bed affect indoor air quality? If you’ve never heard of off-gassing, here’s what you need to know. Off-gassing occurs when manufactured products release chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. This is no good for your health.
Lots of common household items have the potential to off-gas — your carpet, couches, shower curtains, mattresses, and, yes, your dog’s bed. So, when the dog bed goes in your house, it has the potential to affect your home air quality.
You can read more about off-gassing here, but what you need to know for now is that there’s a way to avoid it and help improve indoor air quality.
To ensure low chemical emissions, look for a dog bed with GREENGUARD Gold Certification.
When a product boasts this certification, it has undergone rigorous scientific testing for over 10,000 chemical emissions and VOCs, receiving the highest standard of safety. That’s what we want for our families — four-legged members included!
Here at Newton, this certification is so important to us that our Crib Mattress, Twin Mattress, Twin Waterproof Mattress Pad, and Convertible Cribs are all GREENGUARD Gold Certified, too.
Material
Last but not least, consider the material. Not all large dog beds are created equal.
While memory foam holds its shape and could make it easy for older dogs to get in and out of their bed, the negative is that it can be easy to destroy with a bit of chewing.
When it comes to pillow dog beds, they vary in firmness and materials, from cotton and polyester to foam.
Meanwhile, the Wovenaire core of our Washable & Orthopedic Pet Bed is made of 90% air, and the other 10% is made of a safe, food-grade material called polymer — the same material as yogurt cups.
Wovenaire technology was invented in Japan and is now made in the USA. How is this unique material made? The highest quality food-grade polymer is extruded into a crystal clear pool of water, creating a unique, resilient three-dimensional shape that is 90% air by volume.
This material offers a comfortable dog bed that can ease joints, cushion pressure points, and improve air circulation. Plus, the superior breathability provides temperature regulation, unlike most foam beds which trap heat.
What about dog bed material and furry friends who love to chew? Even the strongest and most durable dog bed material can probably be chewed just like all other furniture. If your dog displays chewing behaviors, keep an eye on them to discourage chewing.
The Perfect Large Dog Bed For Your Fur Baby
With a faithful dog friend by your side, they’ll need their own special place to lay their head and snooze at night. With the shopping tips we mentioned above, finding the perfect large dog bed is paw-sible.
Consider the size, how your dog sleeps, their health needs, where you’ll put the dog bed, washability, your indoor air quality, and the dog bed material. All of these factors play into choosing the right dog bed that will keep your furry friend comfy day in and day out.
We recommend our Washable & Orthopedic Pet Bed that’s comfortable as well as 100% breathable and washable, making it ideal for your pet and you, too! With the perfect combination of comfort, air circulation, and orthopedic support, your furry friend will sleep well.
