Dog beds vary just as much as dogs. The variety and quality available nowadays are astounding, which can make it very difficult to pick one.
To find the best dog bed for your dog, you’ll need to consider their age, weight, sleeping style, and temperament. Dogs can sleep for up to 85% of the day as well, so you want to make sure to pick a bed that’s super-comfortable for your pup, and that will last them a lifetime.
We’ve rounded up the best dog beds on the market, sizing them up for comfort, durability, and size.
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Our top choice is the Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed which features a high-quality, easy to keep clean, non-slip in design, and is fur-resistant. It suits both large and small dog breeds and will give you added peace of mind with the customer-friendly one-year warranty.
Here are some other choices:
The Friends Forever Orthopedic dog bed is the Rolls Royce of dog beds! The thick foam mattress provides support for dogs of all sizes, and the non-slip design will keep your dog’s bed in place no matter how boisterous your dog is.
We love the durable and streamlined design. It holds the dog well and is durable yet easy to maintain thanks to a water-, fur-, and hair-resistant cover that is removable and machine-washable. There’s even a one-year warranty.
The zippers could be more durable, especially for the larger-sized beds for larger breeds.
Friends Forever was an easy choice for our top spot as its suitable for all your dog's sleeping needs, no matter their weight or size. It’s sure to give your furry friend lots of comfortable, hassle-free nights.
This memory foam orthopedic dog bed is perfect for promoting your dog's joint and bone health. It particularly suits senior dogs, helping to manage their hip dysplasia or arthritis.
We love the comfy cotton-padded couch arms that can help to protect your pet's neck area and relieve any neck area fatigue and discomfort. The firm support and comfort act to protect your dog's legs, elbows, and hips from floor pressure.
The mattress could be slightly thicker. It’s also not chew-resistant.
Senior dogs, especially, deserve the highest level of comfort. This high-quality orthopedic bed will undoubtedly have your dog sleeping well.
This soft bed with a blanket hood is a blessing for pets that are nervous, anxious, or need some tender care and security.
We love how this bed is well-padded, super-cozy, and easy to set up as well as maintain. For the price, it is a steal for nervous dogs! It can be used with, or without, the plastic tubing. The bed turns into a hooded cave, allowing your dog to burrow in and hide for a few hours of warm, cozy, uninterrupted sleep.
The hook-and-loop closures that keep the tube in place could be sturdier.
Some dogs, especially rescue dogs, may need some time to acclimatize to their adoptive homes. Some pets are also just plain nervous. This hooded bed goes a long way at reassuring them that everything is OK.
This dog bed is ingeniously designed to keep your dog cool, especially in the hot summer months. It is lightweight, flexible, comfortable, and environmentally friendly.
We love that this bed is Greenguard-certified. It is made of materials that will not pollute the air quality of your home. The material is also resistant to parasites. This feature makes it easy to keep clean and healthy to stay in the home.
The plastic connectors and screws holding the bed together require constant tightening, which can be annoying.
If you're looking for an indoor-outdoor bed that will keep your dog cool, then go for this Coolaroo dog bed. It is also parasite resistant and environmentally friendly.
The Best Friends by Sheri Vegan Faux Fur bed is just what your dog ordered. This orthopedic bed provides the ultimate joint support, as well as providing warmth and safety.
We love the luxurious feel of this dog bed. The faux fur design is of high-quality, and the bed is thick enough to support adult dogs weighing 25 – 150 pounds. It has a water-resistant bottom that is easy to keep clean and is safe to wash in the washer and dryer. Besides, it is made with pet-safe materials that aren’t harmful to your dog.
If it gets wet, you must put the bed through a dryer to keep it completely dry, or the faux fur lining will matt.
If your dog is a curler, then get them this bed. It is durable, comfortable, and luxurious. They will thank you for it!
The Casper Plush Memory Foam bed has a pressure-relieving memory foam base for stable and lasting support. The excess material on top works for dogs that dig and scratch before they sleep, and the supportive padded cushions create a safe space for dogs to put their heads.
We love the design of this bed! The manufacturer took into account dogs’ natural behavior for digging and scratching to give them a safe and comfortable sleeping spot. This bed is chew proof and rip-resistant and is extremely easy to keep clean.
The bed is quite stiff when unboxed, and your dog may not take up to it immediately.
The Casper Plush Memory Foam dog bed was designed to mimic a dog's ancestral sleeping behaviors by holding up to the scratching and digging dogs typically do before they settle down for the night.
Keep your pup comfortable on the road! This comfy bed quickly deflates via a built-in nozzle. The soft fleece mattress top and outer shell are also machine-washable for natural care and maintenance.
We love that this dog bed has taken all the inconveniences of travel and worked at mitigating them. The bed is lightweight, durable, and waterproof for the ultimate convenience. Should you wish to roll it up, secure the bed with the built-in nylon straps for convenient transportation and storage.
This bed does tend to leak a bit over time and won’t always stay inflated. This can be problematic, but also isn’t a universal issue.
If you travel and camp regularly with your dog, it is worth investing in a travel dog bed that's durable, easy to transport, and easy to store, and that will keep them as comfortable as you are.
These pet tents for small dogs are designed to give your dog the feeling of safety and comfort. The inside is lined with super soft poly-foam and fitted with an ultra-plush pillow.
We love the small dog design! This bed is plush and luxurious. The tent is removable for 2-in-1 functionality, and the durable yet plush materials will give your pet the feeling of being utterly pampered.
The cushion is not as durable as we’d like, but the tent is well-built.
Small dogs need to feel safe when they sleep. This PetTent bed is sized correctly to fit these needs, and keeps them warm and comfortable, no matter how cool it is outside.
This sofa-style bed has a unique design and firm, deep, convoluted core that soothes your dog’s pressure points. It also supports its joints and body weight.
We love that this product is CertiPUR-US certified. It is approved for performance, durability, low emissions, and content standards, as it does not contain heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates, or other harmful materials.
The quilted sleep surface is gentle, encouraging your dog to snuggle, and the spacious design makes it easy for your dog to change positions as they sleep. This bed is also lightweight but supportive, and the environmentally friendly, as the cushions contain the recycled but safe fluffy fill material.
The outer material could have been made to be rip and chew resistant.
Sometimes, a sofa-style bed is all that will do for your dog. The surround design makes them feel secure, cozy, and safe and is perfect for bodyweight and joint support. Besides, this bed is environmentally friendly and contains no harmful substances.
Brindle has done a great job with this simply-designed mattress-style dog bed. It has a convenient zippered cover that can be removed and washed for ultimate hygiene.
We love the simple, lightweight, and durable design. Take this mattress-style bed with you on your travels or put it inside a dog crate for a trip to the vets. The bed's cover is a super-soft fabric that makes it easy for your dog to snuggle down and rest.
The design is slightly lumpy, which some dogs may not like.
This versatile mattress-style dog bed is comfortable, high-quality, and breathable. It comes in various sizes for all dog breeds and can be used hassle-free with a dog crate.
Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the best dog beds on the market, let’s take a moment to explore some considerations to keep in mind when buying a dog bed.
We suggest that you first measure your dog to obtain their correct size. Once you have measured your pup, aim for a bed that is slightly larger than your pet to accommodate any movement or change in sleeping positions as your dog sleeps.
Also, do not choose too large a bed unless you’re opting for a mattress-style bed. Dogs need to feel secure as they sleep, and a cozy environment will help them get a better night's sleep.
Does your dog curl up into a ball or sprawl out on the bed with their legs up in the air? Knowing your dog’s sleeping position is crucial in determining the best bed for them.
If they curl up into a bowl and love to snuggle into the bed, a soft sofa-style, couch-style, or tent bed will do. However, if they sprawl out all over the place and sleep in the so-called "starfish" position, a rectangular or mattress-style bed might suit your dog better.
Materials play a massive part in determining how long your dog's bed will last. Always try to go for chew-resistant, rip-resistant, and waterproof materials that will last you quite a while. Try to choose manufacturers that offer a 1-year, 3-year, or 5-year guarantee that will replace your doggy bed for you free should your dog manage to destroy it.
Always check the care label to make sure that the dog bed or its cover is machine washable. Such materials are hassle-free to maintain and easy to keep clean.
Additionally, Greenguard and Certi-PUR US-certified beds are among the best you can buy and will give you the added confidence that there are no harmful emissions and volatile organic compounds polluting your home. This factor is especially important to consider if you have young children in the house. All materials should also be pet-safe to prevent any harm coming to your dog.
Off-the-ground dog bed designs can boost airflow in and around the bed, helping to keep your dog cool. These beds are especially useful if you plan to use the dog bed outside, or in the hot summer months. An elevated bed is almost always parasite-resistant and will not quickly get dirty. As the summer months transition to the colder months, however, this bed is not adequate for your dog, and you should opt for a cozy tent or couch-style bed.
A dog's age will often determine the type of bed they need. Puppies need to feel safe, a behavior honed over hundreds of thousands of years, as they stayed out of sighting of predators. A tent bed or "snuggler” would most suit these younger dogs.
However, as your dog ages, they will need a bed with more support that doesn't put pressure on their joints. Orthopedic beds work best for such dogs, preventing or managing conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia. Always consult your local vet before buying a bed for your senior dog to make sure you get the bed that will best suit your dog's needs.
A dog’s size and weight will depend on the breed. Smaller dogs, such as Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, Bichon Frise, and Dachshunds, typically weigh less than 25 pounds and measure 10 inches or less.
Large dog breeds, such as Golden Retrievers, Boxers, Mastiffs, Great Dane, and German Shepherds could easily weigh in at over 100 pounds and measure 30 inches or more in height.
Consequently, larger dogs require more cushioning to feel comfortable as they sleep — memory foam beds contour around the body of the dog, making them feel supported and secure. Orthopedic beds that offer firm and reliable support work well for larger dog breeds, as well. These beds prevent the development of pressure points that lead to bone and joint pain.
How much fur does your breed of dog have? Siberian Huskies, Saint Bernard’s, Alaskan Malamutes, and Golden Retrievers have a lot of hair and shed quite a bit. A bed that can be easily cleaned is the best option.
Also, dogs with little fur like Dalmatians, Harriers, Chinese Crested Dogs, and Miniature Pinschers, may become cold more quickly as they sleep. A self-warming or burrowing bed may serve them best.
Although not an essential consideration for your dog, your budget will affect what kind of dog bed you get. Some dog beds, especially those designed for larger breeds, may cost up to $400!
Beds designed for smaller dogs are cheaper, mainly due to size. Expect to spend $40-$150 for a good quality bed for your dog.
Aim for a dog bed with lining or bases made from waterproof materials like nylon or polyester denier. These materials ensure that accidents won't soak through thoroughly if the dog happens to relieve themselves as they sleep on the bed.
Look for fibers or threads per the 9,000-meter strand of fiber or yarn. For instance, 600-denier nylon weighs 600 grams per 9,000 meters of nylon fiber. Opting out of this feature may result in unpleasant odors in the home, and an unclean sleeping experience for your dog.
Does your dog sleep indoors or outdoors? This factor will determine the type of bed you get for them.
For dogs that sleep outdoors, an elevated cot bed is the best option. These models feature raised legs that keep the dog off of the hot ground in the summer months and off of the cold or frozen ground during the winter months.
Indoor dogs don't need as much consideration as outdoor dogs, but they still need to be comfortable. Very few non-cot dog beds without legs are designed for outdoor use unless they are travel beds or camping beds that are waterproof and can be rolled up for storage.
The most common style of the dog bed is the mattress bed. These beds are firm and open, perfect for dogs who sprawl out as they sleep. They also suit larger dog breeds who need much more space to sleep than smaller breeds.
As the name implies, these beds are shaped like a tent or cave. The dog is concealed inside the structure as the sleep. These beds are the perfect solution to any dogs with a social anxiety problem, commonly seen in rescue dogs or dogs recovering for an injury.
Donut or bagel beds have elevated sidewalls around the entire circumference of the bed. These beds are useful for small or hairless breeds that tend to get chilly, as the raised surfaces help to minimize drafts.
These dog beds mimic the living room sofa with one or more raised cushioned surfaces, and an elevated back support. They may come with or without extra pillows.
Orthopedic beds provide support and pressure point relief for dogs with chronic pain. This pain is common in dogs with conditions such as hip dysplasia and arthritis. The base of the bed is well-cushioned to accommodate slimmer dogs with more prominent bone structures.
Also known as cushion beds, these dog beds have flat, even surfaces, and are not raised on the sides. Most pillow dog beds rectangular and resemble mattresses, although circular and square-shaped models are also available.
Like orthopedic beds, self-warming beds are especially suitable for older dogs with joint pain. The warm surface relieves any pressure point pain in the dog, and many come with multiple heat settings.
These pita-shaped dog beds have an opening on one side that enables the dog to crawl inside to keep warm. Many are lined with Sherpa or fleece for extra insulation.
Some dog beds have an elevated metal frame that keeps them off the ground.
These beds are suitable for external use, and keep the animal cold or warm, depending on the season. The sleeping surface is taut and stretchy and resistant to parasites, as well as being waterproof.
These dog beds are very much like sleeping bags and can be easily rolled up and transported. The best travel dog beds are also inflatable and waterproof to keep them protected against the elements.
Dog beds are designed with specific dog breeds in mind. They follow particular size and weight guide charts to ensure that owners do not end up with an incorrectly sized bed.
As we've stated earlier, always take the time to measure your dog before buying a bed. Measure your dog in a sprawled-out position as this will help to determine the proper bed size. Dogs sleeping in a bed too small for them will develop pressure points on their limbs that eventually cause pain and discomfort—if they’ll use the bed at all. Most dogs will choose the floor or ground if presented with a bed that’s too small.
Some general dog bed sizes are shown in the chart below:
| Dog Size/Breed |
Supported Weight (Pounds/LBS.) | Bed Length Range (Inches) | Bed Width Range (Inches) |
| X-Small | up to 10 | 23 | 17 |
| Small | up to 25 | 24 - 29 | 18 - 19 |
| Medium | up to 45 | 30 - 35 | 20 - 22 |
| Large | up to 75 | 36 - 41 | 23 - 27 |
| X-Large | up to 100 | 42 - 47 | 28 - 29 |
| XX-Large | 120 - 150 | 48 and above | 30 and above |
So, there you have it— the best dog beds on the market!
Just like humans, our canine best friends love and deserve comfort as they sleep to keep them healthy and prevent them from developing health complications. Ensuring your pup has the best dog bed will also keep them safer and in good spirits.
We hope these choices will give you the best ideas on the perfect bed to buy for your dog. Armed with the comprehensive buyer’s guide, you should feel confident that you now have all the information you need to make your purchase effortlessly.
If you try a bed off our list, be sure to check back in and tell us what you thought. We love to hear from our readers.
Happy shopping!
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