All creatures great and small need some rest and relaxation. And are pets are no different. They need their creature comforts, and with shopping available worldwide thanks to the internet, there is no end to the types of bedding you can choose that fits into your family budget.

Before you shop, though, let's take a time out to see what bedding is all about and how it need to be healthy. A basic encyclopedia like MSN's Encarta covers the basics, saying bedding:

a) For people generally includes coverings feature a mattress of foam, feathers or other materials, a single or a set of pillows plus body/ mattress coverings like a bottom sheet, top sheet, blankets, comforter, bedspreads, quilts, and other items used when making beds

b) For animals generally includes materials like those in pet beds indoors or straw outdoors for farm animals for bedding down animals for the evening.

c) For an under layer for animals and people generally consists of a layer of some type of safe material placed under the mattress or other thing or area to act as a foundation for those sleeping on it.

Healthy Bedding

The last thing you or your animals need are mites, bed bugs and other nasty critters in bedding materials and surrounding areas. To avoid this, get washable pet products like dog beds even if they don't fit into a regular sized washing machine. Because you can hand-wash or spot clean bedding, too.

Of course for outdoor animals, cleanliness is a little different. Try to keep bedding clean and dry, away from direct contact with mold, mildew, waste and other harmful substances. Sweep the sleeping area and hose it down regularly and hang items like dog blankets and throws out to dry on a line.

Common Household Bedding Types are:

Cotton

Down

Flannel

Natural Latex

Polysatin

Polyester

Satin

Silk

Wool

Popular Bedding Terminology

Bed Ruffle - Also known as a bed skirt, dust ruffle or valance that fits between the bed mattresses and reaches to the flow, this is used to cover the boxspring and bed legs in a decorative fashion, hiding the foundational parts.

Bed Comforter or Spread - This generally covers the bed and reaches to the floor, with a skirt (above) covering the distance missed by either. Note that comforters are often reversible, with a different print and / or color combination on both sides so you can change the look once in awhile.

Boudoir Pillows (or Breakfast Pillows): Small rectangular decorative throw pillows.

Duvet Cover - This is a covering for a duvet, like a pillowcase for a pillow. Most have a button or tie closure on an end.

Sham, Neckroll - These are small decorative pillows placed most often over or among the larger pillows for looks - and for use in smaller areas around the body. These can be trimmed with cord, ruffles, lace or other edging, and normally go behind larger pillows during sleep time or are placed on a chair in the bedroom, until the bed is made. Pets that are allowed on beds like these, too. They seem to fit under small heads just right!