Have you ever watched a dog curl up in a pile of dirty clothes? Have you seen a cat snuggle down into a blanket? If you have pets, you know that they love soft, comfortable places for napping just as much as humans do. So why do we buy tons of pillows for ourselves, but not for our pets? If you want to keep your pets happy (and you want to keep fur off your pillows), then you need to purchase some pillows for your pets.

Before you run down to the pet store and buy something “cute,” consider buying something that will be a good fit and last a long time. We recommend a polyester filling, because it’s the easiest to wash and, more importantly, the easiest to dry. For the pillow shell, choose a non-woven fabric that’s easy to wipe clean in between washings.

The pillows at the pet store are also likely to be too small. Since there’s no need to buy a special pet-only pillow, you can get the pillow size you need. Wait until your pet is sleeping and measure the longest points they’re stretched out to (both length and width). Add ten to twelve inches to these measurements for an optimal pillow size.

Once you’ve ordered pillows for your pets, you can decide what to do for a cover. While you don’t have to use a cover, having one will lengthen the time you can go without wiping down the pillow form or fully washing it. Even if you don’t consider yourself handy, there are tons of easy do-it-yourself articles and videos on how to make pet bed covers. The bonus here is that you can choose your materials and even recycle leftover fabrics that you may have on hand (including the old sweater your pet loved to lay on). If you don’t want to make something, many online stores offer pet bed covers and some even offer the ability to include photos or other personal details on the cover. Whatever you decide, I’m sure that your pet will be happier with its own little piece of relaxation inside the house.