The dog days of summer are here. Dogs spend about 12 to 14 hours a day snoozing, and most of them welcome the warmth, comfort, security and support of a dog bed over a hard floor. The American Kennel Club says, “a supportive dog bed provides relief from the pain associated with age-related health problems and also provides support for the joints of developing puppies.”

Crates are great for training and housebreaking puppies, but after that, dog beds provide a place for them to feel safe and relax. This is true even if they share your bed at night or if they need an alternative place to sleep if your bed is off limits, such as if you are a light sleeper or have allergies.

When you travel with your dog, bringing along their bed provides a sense of familiarity, making them less anxious and more likely to settle down. When you need for them to relocate during family dinner or whenever you don’t want them underfoot, dogs can be  trained to retreat to their beds.

Choosing a shape, size, design and other features for your dog’s bed depends on several factors. Here are a few guidelines:

• Size and fit. Measure your dog from nose to base of tail in the sleeping position, then add 8 to 10 inches or round up to the next size for optimal comfort.
• Type of sleeper. Dogs tend to fall into four types of sleepers: “curlers” that like to be securely surrounded by their bed’s contours, “burrowers” that dig in and make a cozy nest, “sprawlers” that spread out in all directions and “leaners” that prefer the support and security of a bolster-style bed or dog couch.
• Home decor. Dog beds come in a wide array of fabrics, colors, patterns and styles, making it easy to harmonize with your room decor, space and furniture.
• Materials inside. Nearly all dog beds are made with flexible polyurethane foam — either conventional or memory foam. As with any mattresses, pillows or furniture containing foam, be sure it’s made with CertiPUR-US® certified foam. Certified foam is your assurance that the foam has been screened for chemicals of concern and has been emissions-tested to be low VOC (less than 0.5 ppm) for indoor air quality. Before you make a purchase, simply check the CertiPUR-US® online directory to be sure the brand you’re about to buy is listed.
• Materials outside. Observe the type of material your dog gravitates to and choose a dog bed with a similar cover. Some dogs prefer fleece (often better in cooler climates); others prefer a flatter suede, cotton or twill.
• Washability. Be sure your dog’s bed is machine-washable or has a removable, machine-washable cover in case your dog has accidents, gets fleas or mites or has muddy paws on a rainy day.
• Support. Young, healthy dogs will do fine on high-quality foam, but older, arthritic or injured dogs may require the extra support of an orthopedic bed containing high-density orthopedic foam. You can also find heated beds, special pillows, nappers, pads and mats that provide extra comfort for special-needs pets.

Some dogs take a few days to adjust to a new bed. Placing the bed close to where you are, putting treats or a favorite toy on the bed or even temporarily placing an article of your unwashed clothing on the bed are all ways to make the new bed feel like home.

Once you determine your dog is happy with your choice, you may want to consider buying additional dog beds so that you don’t have to bother moving the bed into different rooms or levels of your home. Happy dogs make for a happier home!