Last Updated on October 15, 2022 by ellen
If you’re shopping for a new dog bed, you may be asking yourself what size bed should I get for my dog? While some will depend on personal preference and the amount of room you have available, there are a few other things that you should consider when shopping.
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What Size Bed Should I Get for My Dog?
First of all, you need to understand the fact that there isn’t a set formula for buying a bed for your dog. Each dog has unique sleeping patterns, their own weight, and own size. What you need to do is make the best guess depending on the characteristics of your dog. And, hope the bed you end up with is the right one. With that in mind, here are some of the things that you can do to ensure that you end up with something that your dog will be comfortable with.
Measure Your Dog
This is the first and most important step when you need to determine which dog bed size is the right for your dog. Measuring needs to be done at a specific time. You need to make sure that your dog is napping lightly. Then, you need to make sure that they are in their preferred sleeping position. Some dogs sleep in a curled-up position. Others prefer to sleep in a stretched-out position while others alternate between the two.
Take a tape and measure the size of your dog in their sleep. This means measuring the distance from the nose of the dog to the tip of their feet. This is for the dogs that sleep when stretched out. If your dog sleeps in your curled-up position, measure the outside of their body.
This distance should be in centimeters. Always ensure that the dog is taking a nap and not deep in slumber. If you measure the dog while it is in deep sleep, you may end up startling it. How your dog reacts when it’s startled is unpredictable. And you might end up getting hurt.
Do dogs really need a bed?
Dogs don’t need a bed but it’s always nice to have somewhere of your own to go. If your dog is crated at night, they may be happy with a soft blanket in their crate. But, many dogs appreciate having somewhere soft and comfortable to sleep in.
Dog bed sizes guide
The measurements that you have will help determine the size of the bed that you need. Take the measurements that you got and add 25cm to it. This will give you a good estimate of the size of the bed that your dog will be comfortable with.
Here is a brief guide to go by.
- For extra small dogs like the Pomeranian or the Chihuahua, which weigh less than 5 kilograms, a Pillow bed of 90cm x 75cm or a Walled bed of 55cm x 40cm should be adequate.
- For small dogs like the Dachshund, which weigh between 5 and 10 kilograms, then a Walled bed of 60cm x 45cm or a Pillow bed of 90cm x 75cm should suffice.
- So, for medium dogs like the Beagle or the Cocker Spaniel, which weigh around 10 to 25 kilograms, a Pillow bed of 115cm x 90cm or a Walled bed of 70cm x 55cm should suffice.
- For large dogs like the Husky or the Dalmatian, which weigh from 25 to 35 kilograms, a Walled bed of 90cm x 60cm or a Pillow bed of 115cm x 90cm should offer enough comfort.
- Extra-large dogs like the German Shepherd that weigh 35 to 45 kilograms, a Walled bed of 100cm x 65cm or a Pillow bed of 120cm x 95cm should be good enough.
- If your dog weighs more than 45 kilograms, like the English Mastiff, then you need to look for a Walled bed of 110cm x 70cm or a Pillow bed of 130cm x 115cm to ensure that they sleep comfortably.
These calculations don’t guarantee that you will get the perfect bed size. It is just a way to ensure that you make the right choice or at least reach a good size bed that will be large enough to ensure your dog is comfortable with it.
What is the best bed for a dog?
Other than the size of the bed, the nature of the bed should also be put into consideration. This will be determined by the position that your dog sleeps in. If your dog curls itself up in a ball, then it sleeps in the drought position. A round bed with padding on the side will be the best for it. If your dog sleeps on its stomach with the front and back legs stretched out, then a pillow bed is the best choice.
A dog that sleeps in a belly-up position needs a bed that is padded on all sides to offer support for the back. If your dog prefers to sleep on its side with its legs flopped out then a bed with side padding and large space should offer you dog comfort during sleep. Here are some tips for making your own dog bed.
Are elevated dog beds better?
An elevated dog bed doesn’t have stuffing like a traditional dog bed. This may make it less comfortable for your dog. And, if they are older, it might be more difficult to get into if they have arthritis. But, because it is elevated, it should be easier to clean.
I hope this helps you find a perfect bed for your dog.
You may want to check out how to remove dog odors from your vacuum.
Ellen runs a small pet sitting business in southern Vermont. She has experience with a variety of small animals, dogs and cats. She has also cared for ducks, chickens and rabbits. Combined, she has over 20 years of experience in pet care and pet sitting.