Find the best bed for your canine’s comfort

I bought a dog bed once. My rescue German shepherd sometimes slept on the wooden floor for part of the night. As she got older, I thought she looked uncomfortable. So, I went to a futon mattress factory, gave them the dimensions I needed and they cut a mattress down for me.

But it wasn’t what Cocoa wanted. I got up one morning and she had moved the mattress partially under the bed so she could sleep on the wooden floor in her usual spot.

Other dogs, however, use their dog beds. Since dogs should have a place where they feel comfortable, protected and safe, a dog bed may provide that for your pooch.

I had a dog trainer tell me he trained his border collie to “go to your safe place” (his bed) when company came over so his dog wouldn’t run out of the house. Once his guests were settled, he called the dog to come and greet them.

If you’re looking for a dog bed there are lots of them to choose from in the marketplace. When I purchased Cocoa’s adapted futon mattress, my contact at the factory told me to measure her width and length. Orvis also suggests measuring the gusset height of the bed itself. Orvis, as well as other dog bed providers, provides the measurements of their dog beds to ensure a perfect match for your dog.

Dog beds also come in different shapes: rectangles, circles, squares and nests, with or without bolsters. Dog beds also come in different fillings, including some that may be anti-bacterial, Polyfil or foam.

Some dog beds have mattresses made by nationally known mattress companies and orthopedic mattresses that support a dog’s joints.

Dog beds have covers that range from faux fur to covers for chewers to an outdoor fabric that sheds water for an outdoor dog bed. Covers can be removable and washable. Bed covers can also be monogrammed or personalized with your dog’s name.

There are even made to order “luxury” dog beds that look like couches, chaise lounges and canopy beds with silk throw pillows. Dog beds come in a variety of prices.

If you prefer, you can make your dog’s bed. Emily Refermat (Fetch Magazine, July, 2008) notes, “There are instructions to make pet beds just about everywhere. From the many plans and patterns, there are a number of things to consider.”

To make an inexpensive dog bed, you can use fabric bought on sale or old sheets or drapes sewn together. For filler, use old sleeping bags or cushion or pillow foam and then make a cover that is machine washable and removable.

Refermat notes there are three styles of dog beds to choose from: pillow beds, ortho/foam beds and bolster beds. When deciding which bed is best for your dog, she suggests you consider if he likes to burrow (pillow bed), prefers to lean against something (bolster bed) or just wants to lie on something soft (foam bed).

Refermat’s instructions include directions for making a dog pillow bed, including using a pillow purchased on sale or sewing several together for a larger dog; directions for a flat, firmer bed using an old foam cushion; buying upholstery foam or cutting inexpensive egg carton foam to size and gluing thicker pieces together to get a thicker pad; and directions for making a bolster bed.

For making a bolster bed, which looks like a couch with a pillow for your dog to lean against, Refermat cites directions from Carol Duvall, which can be found at DIYnetwork.com.

Whether you buy or purchase it, your dog will enjoy his own bed. He will have somewhere comfy to snuggle and dream doggy dreams. Right now, I have to go and shoo my dog and cat off the couch to take the covers off. Company’s coming.

The Buddy Foundation has been offered Kuranda pet beds at a special price. If you would like to donate a medium or mini-size bed for our cats, contact Kuranda.com or call them at (800) 494-7122, or call The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806 for more information.

Adoptables

Lola is a female rat terrier mix. She’s about 2½ years old and weighs about 12 pounds.

Wally is a male Labrador retriever/Australian shepherd mix. He’s about 2 years old and weighs about 61 pounds.

Ÿ Contact The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806; visit us at 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, or online at thebuddyfoundation.org.