Just like us, our dogs need a comfy place to rest. 💤 From tiny terriers to giant Great Danes, the right bed keeps your pup cozy, supports their joints, and (hopefully!) stops them from stealing yours.
With so many options out there, it can be tricky to know which one’s best. Here’s a guide to the most popular dog bed styles, what they’re good for, and tips on picking the right one for your furry friend. As always, links may be affiliate links which means that I may earn a small commission if you purchase anything at no cost to you.
🛋️ Orthopedic Beds for Older Dogs
If your dog is a senior or has stiff joints, an orthopedic bed can make a world of difference. These beds use memory foam or supportive padding to relieve pressure and help with arthritis. Very similar to what we humans look for in a mattress when suffering from bad backs, aches and pains.
Best for: older dogs, large breeds, pups with joint issues.
🌙 Calming & Donut Beds
These soft, round beds with raised edges are designed to mimic the feeling of cuddling up in a den. Many anxious dogs love them because they feel safe and secure. Joey is on the anxious side and he adopted Charlie’s much smaller bed and we think it’s for that exact reason, he likes to feel cocooned as opposed to having a bigger bed that gives him some room. He also has a tendency to hide away under beds if given the opportunity too and under the dining table is another favourite den of his.
Best for: small to medium dogs, nervous or anxious pups, snugglers.
🌞 Elevated Cooling Beds
Raised off the ground, these beds let air circulate underneath, perfect for warmer months or dogs that overheat easily. They’re also great for outdoor use. An old friend of mine used to have 2 big dogs and they swore by one of these as the 2 dogs loved cuddling up and would overheat anywhere else!
Best for: hot weather, outdoor lounging, larger breeds.
🚿 Waterproof & Washable Beds
Accidents happen (especially with puppies or older dogs). Waterproof beds or those with removable, washable covers make clean up easy. My old dog became incontinent and easily washable was an absolute must. There are TONS nowadays that are washable however a word of warning with waterproof ones specifically… We have one (an old one that was my old dogs) and the material means that it’s super noisy whenever they move. Bear this in mind if they sleep in their bed in your room!
Best for: puppies, senior dogs, muddy paws, everyday use.
🏕️ Travel & Portable Beds
Heading on an adventure? Portable beds are lightweight, roll up easily, and give your pup a familiar spot to snooze wherever you go. A really good idea if you have a bit of an anxious dog (like Joey!) and can’t fit their normal bed in as it still gives them that familiar piece of home, especially if you make sure that they use it now and again at home so that it’s very much a normal feature.
Best for: camping, road trips, holidays.
🐾 How to Choose the Right Bed
When picking a bed, keep these in mind:
- Size matters → Your dog should be able to stretch out fully.
- Sleeping style → Cuddlers love donut beds, sprawlers need flat mats.
- Durability → If your dog’s a chewer, look for tougher fabrics.
- Easy cleaning → Washable covers are a lifesaver.
🌟 Final Thoughts
The best dog bed is the one your pup actually uses! Whether it’s orthopedic for comfort, calming for security, or elevated for cooling, the right bed will help your dog snooze happily while giving you peace of mind 🐶💛. Bear in mind that you may have a fussy pup and the first bed that you carefully choose may just not float their boat – my old dog hardly ever used a bed at all, what he used most was just an old cushion off a settee that we got rid of. Hopefully the above tips will help you make less false starts than I had with him! And as you can see below, sometimes logic and comfort just have nothing to do with it…
Sweet dreams, four-legged friends! 💤
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