Buying Guide for Best Dog Beds in 2024

Every dog owner desires to arrange for a comfortable space for his dog to relax, nap, rest, cool down and sleep. To select the best beds for your canine companion to keep them healthy, comfortable, cosy, comfy and cool may be an irresistible and prolonged task. The market is flooded with millions of dog bed options, branded and local as well, of various shapes, sizes, and colours, with various new options being added every day even while you are perusing this article.

In the process of exploring and studying the top ten dog beds, we have gained new insights and collated useful information, which we wish to share with every dog owner and dog parent to demystify the otherwise stressful and cumbersome process of best dog beds selection.

Looking to choose the perfect dog bed for your four-legged friend? Our ultimate buying guide for best dog beds will certainly familiarise you with all the ins and outs of selecting an ideal and a perfect dog bed. Let us begin!

Why Dogs Need Beds? What are the Benefits of Best Dog Beds?

A dog bed is an important and essential requirement of a dog’s life, next only to food. Alike humans, a dog also deserves a personal demarcated space where he can rest. The primary function of this accessory is to ensure that your furry friend can enjoy a good nap comfortably in a confined and a secure way. Dog beds are similar to a safe and secure zone for your dog which gives him the impression of being in a claimed protected territory.

Another reason why your dog needs a bed is that it sometimes serves as an abode of peace and relaxing. It helps them to take solace when they feel insecure. Additionally, it also gives them a sense of security and belonging. Major benefits of dog beds can be summarised as under:

Basic Comfort

As a matter of fact, the majority of dog beds are made of soft cushion-like material. That helps in your dog to get comfortable, cosy, comfy, and carefree. Dog beds also lend warmth and comfort to your dog who would otherwise have slept on cold, dirty or damp ground.

Safety

Whereas elevated beds have sturdy fine mesh panels or breathable fabrics to permit excellent ventilation and cooling of dog’s body. Raised dog beds also provide some degree of protection to dogs from being attacked by pests or insects.

Medical Benefits

Many beds like orthopaedic and heating dog beds apart from providing basic comfort and warmth to your dog also offer substantial support to old and thin dogs suffering from arthritis and acute joints pain. On the other hand, cooling bed keeps your dog cool during hot weather conditions.

Ease of Alteration

Once your dog is used to his bed, it becomes easier to move or alter his relaxing place in case of any such requirement. You may have a planned renovation work at your home or you may be expecting some elderly guests, who are allergic to dogs. In all these situations, you may need to change your dog position and a dog bed enables you to do that with ease.

Safeguarding

Assuring your dog his own demarcated private spot means he will reduce hopping up on the furniture and your bed. This is going to save you the stress of having dirt or furs littered all over your furniture and bed, thereby making it easier for you to maintain clean.

Good For Homes with Dog Allergies

Confining your dog in one specific secured sleeping area helps reduce the excessive movement of your dog within the house. People who are allergic can therefore maintain a balanced hand’s distance from the dog’s area. This is especially helpful if your household is allergic to dogs, as a result of asthma or allergens. 

What are the Important Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Dog Bed?

Although getting an insight into the various types of dog bed, should help you to form an opinion about your personal preferences for a particular dog bed. However, this is not sufficient as you need to consider several other factors before zeroing down to the perfect dog bed for your furry friend.

You need to take a note of your dog’s favourite sleeping positions and where he likes to park himself. You need to focus on your dog’s wants and his daily needs. Commencing from your dog’s personality and temperament to his playing style and his chew behaviour, all influence the decision-making process of choosing the ideal bed for your canine friend. Just to mention here, even his present medical and health conditions are crucial too in making the best choice.

Hereunder, are some important critical factors, which you should make sure to consider, to arrive at a better-informed decision while choosing the right bed for your pooch:

Size

The first and foremost important to consider is size. The Size of your Dog. You should always shop for your dog’s size. Moreover, one size doesn’t fit all. While it may be perfectly fine to have a large bed for a small canine, the same cannot be true for a large dog having a small bed. You would always want to make sure that you are choosing the right size for your dog.

To begin with, for the size you need, it all comes down to measurements. While your dog is napping, just measure your dog from their snout/nose to the base of their tail. To be on the safer side, do add 10-12 inches to the said measurement. Finally, you have the exact measurement and you know what size of dog bed to go for. And sometimes you may be stuck between two sizes or in doubt about which size dog bed to order. Its always advised picking the bigger size. It is recommended to opt for a bed that is slightly too big, giving your dog ample room to spread out happily. 

Dog beds and furniture come in various sizes covering a wide range of standard breed sizes. All the products have strict guidelines, based on the parameters of a dog’s height and length, for the size of dogs that will fit in. It is therefore pertinent and critical to take accurate measurements of your dog’s height and length. Also, a point to remember that in case if you have a heavier dog, you will need thicker, more supportive beds to keep the beds from flattening out and losing shape over time. 

Sleeping Style and Pattern

As you are now handy with the measurement of your dog and the size of bed to select. The second important factor to decide the type of bed is your dog’s sleeping style and pattern. You should always take into consideration your dog’s typical slumber habits and lying down pattern. The major sleeping styles and snoozing position are as under:

• All Stretched Out | Also known as Superman position. In this position, dogs stretch their entire body out while sleeping. Even front paws and back paws are fully pulled out in respective directions thereby posing as a superman. Stretched out dogs will require a mattress bed, or a pillow dog bed, or a memory foam bed.
• Curl up & Cozy | In this sleep style dogs would curl up in a tight little ball, similar to gastropod or snail shell, while snoozing. In such position, paws are generally not visible as dogs tend to tuck themselves up very tightly. For dogs that curl up, nest dog bed or donut dog bed or covered dog bed would be most suitable.
• Belly Up | In this pattern, dogs sleep with their belly up in the air. Dogs like to lie on their back with tummies facing upwards and relax comfortably. This is a perfect position for dogs to cool off while napping. For such positions, you would need to pick a bed that would provide massive support to a dog’s spine.
• Sidewinder | The most common dog sleeping positions is to lie on the sides like humans. Almost any type of bed will do for a sidewinder. However, if your dog likes to sleep against the support of objects, then it is advisable to opt for a donut bed.

Then there also dogs who cannot sleep without dangling either their head or their limbs or both. Some shy and anxious dogs wish to have added privacy and feelings of security offered by a donut bed with raised edges as these provide a more secure, confined space. As such, to get the best bed for your dog, you first need to understand the sleeping behaviour and napping nature of your dog.

Age and Existing Health Conditions

If you have a healthy dog, any bed ranging from standard, nesting, donut or raised bed would be perfectly fine. However, if you have an aged and senior dog, you will need a thicker mattress. And also if your dog has joint or any musculoskeletal issues,  then you may need a more supportive dog bed to help keep calm his aching joints. You will have to select from orthopaedic and heated dog beds for your old dogs. 

If your dog is prone to hypothermia, or suffers from overheating, or has any other health and medical condition, then you may need speciality dog beds. Also, some dogs are known to develop skin irritation and are allergic to particular foam or rexine fabric or bed filling. In such a situation, you may have to go in for medicated hypoallergenic bed or a different suitable cover. It is always advisable to consult your Vet.

Chewing Behaviour

Dog beds are generally made to withstand mild, moderate and average chewing. As a matter of fact, many dogs are excessive chewers. Such dogs may shred down their own bed. If your dog is an active chewer, then the best option is to go for a chew-resistant bed. In case of extreme chewing, you may be required to opt for denim bed covers or covers made from sturdy material.

Comfort Level and Type of Fill

If you are looking for a comfortable bed for your pooch, you will have to find the type of filling used in the dog bed. Comfort is a function of the type of fill used that the bed contains. Mostly, dog beds come with following types of filling:

• Polyester Filling | Polyester filling is a soft material originating from fluffy shredded polyester. Also known by the name of polyfill. Beds made from polyfill are soft and dogs find it quite cosy. However, such beds are not as comfortable as memory foam.
• Memory Foam Layers | Memory foam layers consist of thick chunks of whole foam.  Always opt for mixed layers of support and memory foam for the best combination of comfort and support.
• Recycled Materials | Some beds are made from recycled materials and other shredded plastic granules.
• Gel Foam | Gel foam is a specialized type of foam that provides some cooling properties in addition to soft comfort.
• Cotton Batting | This is a common filler for dog beds as it is quite cheap. The problem with cotton batting is that it gets lumpy over a period of time after a few uses and loses its shape. Generally, dog beds made of cotton batting are not recommended. However, if you have one, you may have to remove cotton batting and replace it with some other good filling.
• Beads & Shredded Foam | Shredded foam and Styrofoam beads are of little lesser quality than solid layers of memory foam as they lack in support. However, it provides a decent amount of comfort for your dog.
• Cedar Chips | Cedar chips are usually added for odour management and as an insect repellent in most of the dog beds. They are found to be quite helpful in case of stinky dogs.

Activity Level and Durability

The durability of the bed is an important factor as better durability will make the bed last much longer. It is better to find a dog bed that can withstand the daily use of your dog’s excitement and play activity. Certain materials like heavy nylon are canvas are frequently used to handle extra digging, scratching and jumping in comparison to cotton. Beds made of such materials are useful in addressing your dog’s daily jumps and hops. 

Also, if your dog is constantly bouncing around in mud and rain, you may want a dog bed that is easy to wash. Further, if your dog plays rough, then you may need to look for a bed that is durable and can withstand your dog’s activity level.

Weather Conditions

If you live in either a hot or a cool climate, you may want to select a bed to mitigate the weather conditions. Heated dog beds are great for cool-weather climates. Whereas elevated dog beds provide excellent ventilation and cooling of a dog’s body, thereby apt for hot and humid conditions. In short, the choice of the dog bed is dependent on the surrounding weather conditions. As such, the nature and type of bed for your dog may vary during a year according to changes in temperature and other weather conditions.

Bed Positioning | Indoor or Outdoor Use

The choice of the dog bed is again dependent on its positioning. As a dog owner, you may want to place the dog bed at the centre of your living or the corner of your bedroom. Or maybe your dog would be lounging outdoors. All these decisions will play a considerable role in deciding the type of dog bed you select.

Besides, if you are thinking of placing it in a room with wood or tile flooring, you may have to look for a bed with an anti-skid bottom. The same holds even if you wish to place the bed on the carpet or any other slippery surface. Such beds are designed to increase friction and provided with a non-slip bottom. This reduces the possibility of a skid and the bed would remain static without sliding all over the surface. 

Moreover, whether you plan to use the bed indoors or outdoors will be something you need to determine before bringing home a dog bed. In case you want to put the bed outdoors, an elevated bed would be the best choice. An elevated bed permits excellent ventilation thereby cooling of dog’s body. Also, your dog would be safe from the otherwise cold, damp or dirty floor.

House Training and Incontinence

If you have a puppy or a dog that is still being potty trained, you may require a bed that is easy to wash and dry. The same holds even for an aged old dog suffering from incontinence. You should choose a bed with water-resistant material in case of bladder leakage. Even better if you can find a bed with a removable, easily washable cover. Some beds also provide an extra set of outer covers, which is a great plus so you can easily maintain your dog’s bed clean and dry.

High Quality Foam and Safe Material

A dog bed should be sturdy and robust enough to support your dog’s weight. An ideal bed should relieve the pressure from his bones and joints while he is at rest. A large dog would require a bed with a thick and firm foam to support his extra weight. In practical, a dog owner would go for a dense, supportive, human-grade orthopaedic foam in comparison to shredded fabrics or low-loft fibre filling. 

Further, it is also advisable to opt for beds made from certified foam. Certified foam is one which is free from lead,  mercury and other heavy metals. These substances could potentially be harmful to your dog’s health. Every country has its own standard of certification and nomenclature for goods free from these substances. You should always try to select dog beds made from Dog Safe and Eco-friendly materials or recycled materials.

Removable and Washable Covers

Given all the factors being satisfied, its always good to find a bed with a removable, easily washable covers. Some beds also provide an extra set of outer covers, which help in rotational use and thereby maintain your dog’s bed clean and dry. As always having at least two or more removable covers would definitely make your life much easier for laundry purposes. Given the advantages of having multiple set of covers, you must consider double-checking for this feature before finalising a dog bed.

Colours and Patterns

Once the positioning of the bed is decided, colours and patterns definitely play an important role in deciding the ultimate dog bed. You may want the color or pattern to be in sync with you living room decor and adding to the overall get-up. Having said that it is good to know that most of the dog beds are available in a variety of colours, and amazing patterns. You are sure to find a plenty of choices in the backdrop of your living room pattern or outside garden landscape.

Warranty and Return Policy

When picking a bed you can make sure that the bed has a quality warranty or return policy in case of it being damaged or shredding in no time. It is a well-known fact that any good manufacturer or producer of repute will never shy away from guaranteeing a valid warranty and return policy. 

There are many beds in the market that promise the best quality of foam for a longer duration to hold its shape and softness. It is better to check such conditions which ensure warranty, repair, and free replacement.

Budget

Though last but not least factor determines the type of dog bed you would opt for. Budget is one of the most critical factors. The market is flooded with millions of dog beds. On one hand, there are good quality dog beds that are inexpensive. On the other, there are expensive dog beds that are poorly built and will not last long. As such, dog beds range quite a bit in price. 

Obviously, your budget will dictate as to how much you would spend on a dog bed. A higher-quality dog bed can support your dog’s body better and can go a long way in combating arthritis and other joint problems as your dog ages. Spending a little more on a perfect quality dog bed would mean a few costly Vet visits in the future. Indeed, thereby cutting down on medical costs and medications. On the other side, a cheaper dog bed will shred in short term and will lose its shape very soon. This would mean a frequent purchase of a second bed in no time. Further, a cheaper dog bed may not be so conducive to supporting your dog’s weight and providing related comfort. This may lead to more Vet visits more often than not.

All in all, look for the factors suiting your dog’s requirements and his need for a comfortable nap and snooze. As far as budget is concerned, you can stick to your budget and find a better alternative by little more rational exploring.