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Washability and durability are important factors to consider in buying a quality dog bed. Any dog bed is going to need regular cleaning, so don’t get too carried away with feathers or velvets, or hard-to-clean designs. Having good air circulation around the bed is also important. And remember that some dogs need more physical support than others. Look for quality dog beds that are comfortable and provide whatever support your dog needs, whether it’s because of arthritis or other physical problems, or simply the need to accommodate the dog’s actual weight.

Picking the right size of dog pet beds might seem straightforward, especially when it comes to larger dogs. Give them the room they need to stretch out and turn around in, and you’ve got the right size. But remember that smaller dogs need a size that fits them too. Most of them like to feel cozy, so don’t get them something that’s so large and open that they’ll be totally lost in it. A small dog bed that feels like a secure nest but still allows them room to move will be ideal.

Dog pet beds are made in such variety, with so many different styles and types, that even when you introduce a few narrowing factors you’re probably going to be left with more choices than you know what to do with. But that also means that whatever kind of quality dog bed you want, you’re going to find it out there somewhere, whether it’s an ecologically friendly bed, a Murphy bed to save space, or something that makes your dog look like a prince or princess. As long as you find something that fits your dog’s particular requirements, the sky is pretty much the limit.

As far as durability and cleanliness go, rather than switching to an all-organic bed immediately, you might go halfway, getting an organic dog bed made from recycled products. For example, one of the specials featured on the www.guffly.com website in the last few months is the “Comfy Organic Pet Bed,” in which the center cushion is actually made from recycled plastic bottles. These are obviously still synthetic materials, but you’re keeping them out of a landfill. And the cover of this donut-shaped bed is made from organic cotton. So you’re partway there.

You may not want to use recycled materials, though, especially if they’re not organic. Plastic might still be out-gassing, for example, so perhaps you’ll want the bed for your pooch to be made from all organic materials instead. That may prove more difficult, since even most “eco-friendly” pet bed makers use recycled plastic in their cushions. But Doggy Archy (www.doggyarchy.com) may prove to be your answer, with its quality dog beds made of organic, sustainable and durable hemp fibers. The cushions are filled with kapok, a fluffy fiber made from the pods of the kapok tree. So these beds are completely organic.

It’s true that dogs aren’t going to care what sort of beds they sleep on. If they can be comfortable and have a good snooze, that’s all they want. But it’s your job, as their owner, to find the best dog bed possible, and this may involve researching your options in an organic dog bed that is made of natural, sustainable materials and made in a responsible way. It’s probably going to take some work. Yet remember that you’ll have the reward of knowing that while you are bettering the planet and your own health, and you’re going to better the dog’s health too.

A large dog bed made of memory foam might be especially helpful, because dogs of greater size frequently suffer from a joint disease called hip dysplasia. It affects not only the fit of the hip joints but the muscles around the rump. Memory foam can mold itself to support the dog’s body completely. And this type of bed can even help relieve discomfort a dog might suffer from being overweight. A memory foam dog bed might be one of the best dog beds for large dogs with hip dysplasia, or dogs that need good support until their weight can be brought down.

Some people provide heated dog beds for their companions with joint problems, but it’s possible that memory foam beds do just as well as those. One advantage of memory foam is its breath-ability. This means that it retains heat in wintertime, but is cooler in the summer when overheating might otherwise be a problem. The extra winter warmth of memory foam beds is what may make them the beds for arthritic animals, because not only would they retain the dog’s body heat when it’s needed, but they’d also provide protection against floor temperatures that might get a bit too cool at night.

There would be minor inconveniences with a memory foam dog bed, such as getting a sturdy enough cover to deter even the most determined chewer. You don’t want to get a bed to help their joints and then have them eating the polyurethane mattress. But if these are the best dog beds for joint and muscle problems, then you likely won’t mind spending a little extra to make sure your canine friend is completely safe. Whatever it takes to give them the best support and the best sleep they can get is going to be worth it.

If you fill up these doggie beds properly, providing the right amount of firmness along with a bit of give, a dog water bed can do much the same things as a memory foam bed, meaning they give consistent support beneath the dog’s whole body, curving themselves to match the dog’s shape. This type of dog bed furniture can ease pain in joints or muscles, and it would help with a condition like hip dysplasia, which degrades hip joints and weakens leg muscles, particularly in larger dogs. And unlike stuffed beds and even some foam, a water bed will never end up with a “sag” in the middle.

A dog water bed shares another feature with those made from memory foam, and may even improve on it somewhat. What is frequently needed by some older dogs, and those with arthritis or other joint problems, is extra warmth. Memory foam is known to help provide that, but with a large dog bed that has a heater to determine the water temperature, that warmth can be more precisely controlled. This means the dog is kept warmer when the weather is cooler, but can also prevent overheating during very hot spells.

Humans may not use water beds so much anymore, but as pet beds they may still be very useful. For one thing, with a thick cover to prevent such a bed from being popped by claws, it would actually last longer than many other types of beds. It wouldn’t develop worn spots, nor would it sag as the stuffing thins out. And as an orthopedic dog bed, with the heating and even support provided by the water, a dog water bed could be just what an arthritic or older dog needs.

There are other types of beds that would work as well. Some outdoor dog beds are sturdy enough to handle things if you’re roughing it and going camping or staying in a cabin. You can find beds that are actually cots, with strong metal or plastic frames, for example. This sort of pet dog bed would lift your canine companion above rough floor surfaces, and also provide more support for dogs with creaky joints. And in the morning, it would be easy to dismantle.