Washable Dog Beds: Choosing a Pet Bed That Fits Your Lifestyle
You want to keep your furry best friend happy with the highest quality and most comfortable pet bed possible. An easily washable dog bed at that! However, we also know you want to keep your home happy...and maintain peace of mind as a busy car or dog owner with a busy life.
The last thing you want to do is create more work for yourself (and more mess in your home!) by choosing the wrong pet products. Here’s how to choose a pet bed that fits your home and lifestyle:
Invest in a machine washable dog bed
You definitely don’t want to get a pet bed with a complicated, cheap, and ill-fitting cover that’s impossible to put back on after you wash it. Or worse -- a sherpa or suede pet bed that’s not washable or doesn't come with a washable cover at all. Eek! The hassle!
Ideally, make sure you can toss the entire pet bed into the washing machine (and if, for example, you opt for a dog nap mat with a foam base or egg crate, make sure it has a high-quality removable cover that is easy to wash).
It’s amazing how quickly a pet bed can become dirty -- making for an unpleasant corner (and odor) in your home. Keep it fresh and clean, and set yourself up to win with a pet bed that will last through many spin cycles.
Read the fine print
As you know, kids love to play with their pets -- and some children may even snuggle up with a dog or cat right on top of a comfy deluxe pet bed! Who could blame them?
Unfortunately, some pet beds contain materials that are not only very harmful to pets and young children -- but can even be toxic for adults. You can keep all humans and animals in your home healthy and happy by investing in the right pet bed or donut cuddler with quality materials that will not cause harm.
As you do your research, pay attention to what the inside of the pet bed is made of. Read the fine print. Be sure that the materials are made without PDBEs, TDCPP, or TCEP flame retardants. Also avoid lead, mercury, and heavy metals. And be sure to steer clear of formaldehyde, phthalates, and VOCs.
While you’re at it, you can do this type of research on your human furniture as well!
Complement your home decor
It’s amazing how much our home environment can impact our overall mood and mindset. Like your pet, you want to feel a sense of peace and ease in your home. That’s why we recommend choosing a washable dog bed or dog bed cover that complements your sense of style and decor.
If you are more of an understated decorator, you can go for a neutral color, such as tan or gray (steer clear from something that is 100% white -- unless you want to be washing it daily!). If you have a very colorful home or enjoy quirky embellishments, you might enjoy a fun, novelty pet hut (cats LOVE these) or even a Disney-themed pet bed (if that’s your thing). Whatever you choose, make sure you love the way it looks in your home.
Make sure it lasts!
Whether you are looking for an orthopedic dog bed for small dogs or older dogs, an extra-large, shag faux fur memory foam dog bed, or a pet dog bed for the kennel, it's important to find one that lasts. Unfortunately, it’s very common for cheap pet beds or dog crate mats to be ruined after one use or one wash.
You definitely want to invest in a pet bed that will last, and the good news is that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to find a quality small or large dog bed with a machine washable cover.
Customer reviews of pet supplies are a great resource. Again, be sure to research your materials and to always opt for the highest quality fillers. And make sure the cover is extremely durable and/or water-resistant -- and not something that your feisty little pup or kitty can tear apart with ease.
A happy pet owner will have a happy pooch! We wish you the best of luck as you search for the perfect pet bed.
You can find some of the best dog beds at Best Friends by Sheri! Check out our jumbo dog beds for large breeds, orthopedic memory foam beds for joint pain, luxe loungers with non-slip bottoms, and self-warming donut dog beds on our website, Amazon, or Chewy.