We gals totally get it! Buying a mattress for you and your fur baby can be complicated and, well, exhausting! And it’s far more complicated and exhausting if you haven’t shopped for a mattress in awhile. But that’s why you’re here, right?!! To find the perfect mattress for you and Fido. Well, it’s your lucky day. We were inspired by Saatva’s buyer’s guide and wanted to put together a buyer’s guide specific to you puppy baby mamas!

We like making things easier for our fellow dog moms of the world. Check out this simple guide that’ll help set you and your fur baby on a dreamy journey. As with all journeys, it begins with a single step. So put your best paw forward and let’s do this!

First, let’s break down each Saatva mattress for you! Remember, this is a rough overview of each mattress that Saatva offers. If you would like more detail on each mattress, check out our other Saatva blog posts. Click here to read more about the Zenhaven. Click here to read more about the Loom & Leaf. And click here to read about the Saatva Classic.

The Saatva Classic (luxury hybrid innerspring). This mattress is a little more... springy due to the innersprings but it does offer a slight hug, as well, since it is topped with memory foam.

The Loom & Leaf (ultra-premium memory foam). This mattress feels like a soft hug. If your pup jumps on or off the bed, you won’t be woken up by feeling the mattress move! Motion doesn’t transfer with this mattress like it does your coil mattress.

The Solaire (customizable comfort). This mattress has six luxurious layers of comfort and 50 firmness options that you can adjust at the touch of a button! Individual controls let you set the firmness level that’s right for you and then the other side is the right level for your fur baby. Air chambers adjust the firmness incrementally, hidden pumps operate quietly, and moisture barriers protect the mattress’ components. This mattress contains the gel-infused memory foam and Talalay latex from the Zenhaven line.

The Zenhaven (100% natural Talalay latex). This mattress feels like you’re floating on clouds. It seriously sooo luxurious! As for comfort levels, this was my absolute favorite!

The Saatva HD (luxury hybrid for bigger puppies and bigger bodies). This mattress is designed for bodies that weigh between 300-500 pounds. Unfortunately, God didn’t bless us with a dog breed that big. Lol. All joking aside, if you are a “there’s more to love” dog mom, this mattress supports in all the right places.

Still not sure which mattress is right for you? Here are seven steps to choosing the perfect mattress, inspired by Saatva:

Step 1: Decide how you want your mattress to feel

Mattresses are not a “one size fits all dog moms” kind of thing! The right mattress for me may not be the right mattress for you. It’s all about personal preference! When you envision yourself getting the best night’s sleep ever, how do you feel in bed? Are you counting sheep on a firm mattress that offers major support from innersprings? Are you catching z’s on a mattress that basically hugs every inch of your body? Maybe you envision something between the two. Each mattress is different and for good reason!

Saatva’s mattresses can accommodate a wide range of sleep preferences. Some of their mattresses combine features of more than one type—innersprings with memory foam (The Classic), for example, is considered a hybrid mattress.

If there’s no question about the mattress type you want (innerspring, memory foam, latex, or air), jump to step four! If not, continuing reading this section.

Step 2: Take special requirements into account

How you want your mattress to feel is the main thing, but it’s not the only thing! Depending on the way you sleep, certain mattress types may not be a good fit. For example, do you tend to sleep hot? Do you suffer from back pain? Do you jolt awake every time your pup tosses and turns? (We know your dog is guilty of doing that spin thing 27 times before he lays down!)

The answers to those questions will point you in the direction of your best mattress match.

If sleeping cool is your top priority, then you’ll likely be happiest with innerspring; its open construction allows for more airflow through the mattress than any other type. But if you care most about cutting down on motion transfer, nothing beats memory foam. And if you want a “greener” option that is all-natural and environmentally sustainable, you’re looking at latex.

Step 3: Consider your sleep style

The next big decision is comfort level! “Comfort level” is basically a fancy way of saying how firm or cushiony a mattress will be. Most mattress types come in a range of comfort levels; the right one for you depends on the way you sleep: on your back, side, stomach, or some combination.

Here’s why that matters. The weight in our bodies is not distributed evenly, so your sleep position will affect the amount of pressure you’re exerting on the surface underneath you. Sleeping on your side, for example, creates pressure points on your shoulders and hips, since your body weight is concentrated within a smaller surface area. Sleeping on your back, on the other hand, spreads your weight out more evenly across the bed.

That’s why side sleepers generally prefer softer mattresses, which cushion pressure points, while back sleepers like firmer mattress that don’t mess with natural spinal alignment.

Body type matters here too: Heavier people tend to need the support of a firmer mattress, and lighter people might be more comfortable on a softer surface.

If you switch up your sleeping positions, consider a medium firmness level. That way your mattress will be neither too soft nor too firm for whatever position you take throughout the night. This is a great option for all of you mama’s and expectant mama’s! If you don’t know already, you are not supposed to sleep on your back or stomach while pregnant. The best position is to sleep on your left side to help with circulation. I was SO ready to sleep on my stomach again when I was postpartum!!! Lol. I’ll admit though… I do know that stomach sleeping is the least healthy position… So if you’re an unhealthy sleeper like me, you’ll want a firm mattress to keep your lower back from hurting. Maybe we should all just work on sleeping on our sides to be able to spoon our dogs though! Right?!!

To recap:

Back sleepers: firm
Side sleepers: softer
Stomach sleepers: firm
Combination sleepers: medium firm

Step 4: Evaluate mattress quality

So now you have an idea of the kind of mattress that might suit you. Let’s say you’re a 35-year-old woman who sleeps on her side and prefers a bouncy feel. In that case, you’d go for a soft (a.k.a. “plush”) innerspring mattress. Simple, right? Not quite. There are dozens of plush innerspring mattresses on the market. What sets them apart? When comparing mattresses, here are some key questions to ask.

What’s inside the mattress?

Every mattress has multiple components, and you should know what goes into each one. A good mattress company will provide diagrams with detailed descriptions and precise specifications for each layer. For example, a memory foam mattress isn’t made just of memory foam; if it were, it would be too mushy to sleep on. Instead, it’s made of multiple layers of foam of varying densities. Make sure the company or salesperson can explain each part of the mattress and its function.

How does the mattress provide lumbar support?

Lumbar support is important for everyone, but especially anyone who is prone to back problems. The human spine has a natural curvature that needs to be maintained, even when we lie down. A mattress without adequate support in the lumbar region will cause the hips (where most people’s weight is concentrated) to dip down, pulling the lumbar spine out of alignment. To ensure proper lumbar support, a mattress should have stronger, firmer material in its center third.

Will the mattress keep me cool?

All mattresses will absorb body heat throughout the night. The question is whether the mattress is able to disperse that heat efficiently so you stay cool under the covers. Innerspring mattresses are naturally good at this, since springs and coils have lots of space between them where air can flow.

Memory foam, on the other hand, is very dense, so heat gets trapped because air can’t flow through the material. To combat that natural tendency, memory foam mattresses often contain cooling gel layers or other technology that helps transfer heat away from the body. Other foams, like latex, are naturally more porous and so sleep cooler than traditional memory foam (though not as cool as innersprings).

Is the mattress eco-friendly?

Consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental and health impacts of the products they wear, eat—and sleep on. If you’re looking for something eco-friendly, ask: Does it use organic components? Are the foams certified to be non-toxic and low-VOC? Does it use a natural flame retardant? Questions like these will help determine not only whether the mattress is manufactured sustainably, but also whether it’s likely to affect your health (especially if you are sensitive to chemical smells or prone to allergies). Where it’s made matters too: Mattresses made in the U.S.A. must meet strict health, safety, and environmental standards.

How much does the mattress cost?

Mattress prices are all over the map, from as little as a few hundred dollars into the tens of thousands. A higher price tag doesn’t necessarily translate to a better night’s sleep. A quality mattress that has the features above and is made with premium materials generally costs in the range of $1,000 to $3,500. As a rule, memory foam and innerspring mattresses tend to cost roughly the same amount, while latex carries a higher price tag—a result of the expense of harvesting and processing the natural material, which is derived from the sap of the rubber tree.

I bet you didn’t know there was so much to think about when purchasing a mattress for you and your dog children, huh?!! For quality considerations specific to innerspring, memory foam, latex, hybrid, and adjustable air beds, see Saatva’s individual mattress guides or their Saatva Mattress reviews.

Step 5: Pick a size

This one might seem simple, but even here you have more options than you might realize. Couples who prefer different comfort levels, for example, can have a king size bed with two separate firmnesses by pairing two twin XL mattresses side by side.

Mattresses come in the following standard sizes:

Step 6: Decide on a base

Unless you’re planning to put your mattress on the floor (which is a perfectly acceptable choice), a mattress needs a base to (1) raise it to a comfortable height and (2) provide adequate support for the interior components. Without a firm base, a mattress is more vulnerable to sagging and general wear and tear.

There are three main types of bases:

[1] Traditional foundation

You probably know these as “box springs.” Foundations are simple rectangular structures, usually made of wooden slats, foam, and quilted covering. Depending on the size and type of mattress, the manufacturer will recommend—or in some cases require—a particular style of foundation. A latex mattress, for instance, requires a solid foundation, or one with slats a specified distance apart.

[2] Platform bed

As its name implies, a platform bed is made of a solid surface or a base of wooden slats, raised from the floor on legs. The mattress rests directly on the platform, without the need of a traditional foundation. The choice to go with a platform is an aesthetic rather than functional one.

[3] Adjustable base

Controlled via remotes or smartphone apps, adjustable bases let you raise or lower the head and foot of the bed. They’re great for sleeping—especially if you have back pain or other conditions that keep you from finding a comfortable position—and also reading, watching TV, or just lounging. Most mattresses these days are compatible with adjustable bases, but make sure to check before purchasing. (Read more about the benefits of an adjustable base.)

Step 7: Read the fine print

A mattress is what’s called a “considered purchase.” Which means people do their research before buying (that’s why you’re reading this guide after all). You’ll be investing a fair amount of money and time in the process—and living with your choice for a decade or more—so it pays to know what else you’re getting in terms of ongoing customer service and fine-print policies. Here are some questions to ask.

Delivery

Does the company offer free delivery? Will it set the mattress up for you and take away your old one? If your mattress comes packed in a box, keep in mind that it’s going to be very heavy, and you might need help carrying it up the stairs and unpacking it.

Home trial

Most online companies will give you at least 30 days to try your mattress at home. Saatva offers 120 days. We know that it can take a while to get used to a new mattress, and you won’t know if it’s really right for you until you’ve slept on it for a while.

Return policy

The best thing you can do is find out—before you plunk down your credit card—everything about how the company handles returns. Is there a waiting period before you can return the mattress? Will you pay a fee for pickup or restocking? What happens to the mattress after it’s been taken away? Does the company donate or recycle old mattresses? Check reviews online to see what experiences other customers have had with returning a mattress.

Warranty

Like any big-ticket item, a mattress should have a robust warranty, and the company should be willing to stand behind it. Look for a warranty period of at least 10 years. Ideally, you want a warranty that is not prorated, which means the amount of coverage doesn’t change the longer you own the mattress.

Ultimately, we decided on a king size memory foam mattress (Saatva’s Loom & Leaf) because Abbie and Gunner move around WAY too much and we have a lot of warm bodies that like to come up and snuggle with us. I just didn’t want to be woken up more than I have to, ya know?! #momlife. I do want to make a note that we are equally in love with Saatva’s latex mattress, the Zenhaven. If you have a smaller dog or a dog who gets comfortable and stays comfortable, I would TOTALLY suggest the Zenhaven. It. is. heaven.

If you are still hesitant in choosing your mattress, Saatva offers a quick and easy quiz that will help choose the right mattress for you and your fur baby! Check it out here!

* This blog post contains affiliate links.

How To Choose the Best Dog-Friendly Mattress