best beds?

Rott'nKids · #1 08-04-2004, 12:31 AM

Carl needs a new bed. I am tired of buying the cheap beds Walmart has available (and having to replace them every so often! They do have a nicer one, with cordoroy on one side and sheepskin-type fuzziness on the other (Iria has a purple one), but do not have one big enough for Carl. I need something that is big enough for a big dog and comfortable for a 6yr old, and for me, easy to wash in the washing machine and put in the dryer without wrecking the bed within a few washes. I am faced with either a. ordering online or b. driving at least 1 hr in any direction to a Petsmart or something to find better quality, or c. trying to construct one myself. All 3 options are fine, just need suggestions on a big, comfy, DURABLE bed! Please let me know what NOT to buy as well as the good brands, or what is best to make one out of that is washable

. Thanks in advance! oh, this is not for in a crate, just his corner of the kitchen.

Soulworx · #2 08-04-2004, 06:07 AM

i dont know if u have them in the states but vet beds are excellent. Theyre made out of fleecy artificial sheepskin like stuff. There isnt that much padding but its comfy and keeps the cold out. They wash easy and dry quick. lasts forever

RottiMomCT · #3 08-04-2004, 08:44 AM

Baby crib mattresses, covered with a soft blanket, work wonders. The mattress is covered in a water resistant material and can be a bit 'crinkly' but with the blanket on top it it's barely noticeable.

My sister bought one for her two smaller dogs to share - they love it. my mom made a cover for the mattress and then they bought a dog blanket from JB Pet (www.jbpet.com) for abot $15. Nothing special in terms of the blanket - just a plain old blue VERY DURABLE blanket (I have three and love them - machine washable, chew resistant, easy to clean)....

diddybopper04 · #4 08-04-2004, 09:02 AM

I have one of these, http://www.hahadogbeds.com/ and it is with out ANY doubt the VERY best most wonderful dog bed I have ever had. EASY to wash and keep clean. I have several toppers, the outer covering is also easy to wash, it does not hold odor, and the dogs absolutely love it. It fits perfectly in a Midwest wire crate (okay, I have to stuff it a little but it fits....LOL)

They are not cheap, but they are completely awesome.

jbach · #5 08-04-2004, 09:54 AM

We buy beds from Costco! They have come down in price (now about $17).
They are the therapeutic type with the eggshell foam mattress that's 4 or 5 inches thick, a very durable cover that can be removed by unzipping it and then toss in the washing machine. Although not entirely necessary, we replace them about once a year. Know anyone with a Costco membership?

Judi W · #6 08-04-2004, 09:57 AM

I purchase new at Costco every year. I've had expensive beds and the filling packs down in them just as quickly or more so than my Costco beds. The only difference is the price.

Gretta · #7 08-04-2004, 11:38 AM

I've made several beds for Gretta (they're strategically located in the rooms we spend the most time in) with comforters I've found at thrift stores.

I had luck getting full size comforters in good lofty condition for $2~3.00 each. Wash them, fold them into quarters and then make a removable cover out of denim. They're very sturdy, easy to take apart and wash (which is done frequently as that is where she gets marrow bones), and the comforter is easily replaced when it gets too worn (haven't had a denim cover even come close to wearing out yet).

We have three beds currently, and I think each one cost less than $15.

And since I'm too cheap to buy the stuffed toys she destroys in minutes, I make squeeky toys out of the denim scraps- They hold up really well too!

babybluetx23 · #8 08-04-2004, 12:13 PM

I just use a few pillows that we bought at a garage sale and I cover it with a comforter that we havent used in years. Fold the comforter into Quarters, Cover the pillow and there ya go. When the comforter gets dirty I pick it up, Put it in the wash. When it is dry, I fold it back into Quarters and lay it back on top of the pillows. As for in the crate. I had a synthetic sheeps wool bed in there but harley chewed a hole in it. Besides he is a Cold sleeper. He doesnt like to sleep on the bed in his crate. I sewed the hole back up and gave it to my GSD. She normally will lay on a blanket at the foot of the bed.

Rott'nKids · #9 08-04-2004, 11:09 PM

Thanks for the replies! I am torn between getting a "bed" and just going the comforter-over-pillow or foam route. I like the idea of a baby mattress too! I think they are (finally) old enough to not eat/chew their beds. At one point I was just using an old blanket for one of them, but it just doesn't have enough padding. Can't even remember how many beds Iria chewed up! Thankfully she never swallowed the chunks!!! I bet they would like their own couches

, yeah, like that would happen!

TrishB · #10 08-04-2004, 11:42 PM

I just got a Costco bed (a friend bought a bunch and brought them to a dog show for us all to buy off of her). They're $29.95 Canadian - but WOW!!! They're HUGE!! LOL

Parker wasn't quite sure and laid down beside it at first.

SABELLESMOM · #11 08-05-2004, 01:14 PM

I have a "Crazy Dog Memory Foam Bed" Available at: www.RyansPet.com For $30-40-50, (s-m-l).

I've had it 2 and 1 half years. Shows no signs of wear. Zipper cover and attatched fleece covered pillow can be removed from orthopedic foam for easy washing. VERY COMFORTABLE!

I've tried it as I was thinking of a memory foam bed top for us humans.

diddybopper04 · #12 08-05-2004, 03:38 PM

Rott'n, the Ha Ha bed I have now I have had since about 1999. It is used DAILY. The foam inside is still nice, but could easily be replaced. It's a solid foam mattress inside a heavy duck canvas cover. Velcros shut over the foam cushion. It's also PLASTIC LINED, so no liquids get inside to the foam. You can fill this thing with ice packs in the summer. It has a line of velcro around the outside of the liner, and the lambskin covers attach to this velcro. Press on, pull off. I have several toppers so I can keep them clean all the time. Toss in washer, and dryer to clean. I love this bed, just LOVE it, and so do the dogs. It was EXPENSIVE, but it has been so durable I'd buy another one in the blink of an eye. I also like the comforter inside the denim cover idea.