Best Dog Beds

In How to Choose a Dog Bed guide, you would have gone through the steps to choosing the right bed for your pooch.

Haven personally taken care of many dogs of different breeds, ages and sizes… I’ve had to learn how to adjust to and accommodate their sleeping needs, which is what made me put together this guide.

The Ultimate Guide to Dog Beds

There’s a bed for every dog.

So it’s worth getting to know the different options available in order to better provide comfort for your pooch.

Soft Dog Bed

Best for: Puppies and adult dogs, as long as they have the right size.

Main feature: It can have a round, oval or rectangular shape and bolstered pads all around for dogs to lean their head.

Other features:

• Most are machine washable.
• Very customizable in terms of material and colour. You can make sure to match things to both your dog and the décor in the room that you’re going to lay it in. 
• It’s pretty tear-resistant. However, it might not stand up to a dedicated destroyer.

Not suitable for: Older dogs because of the filling. The fill is made of polyester instead of the higher quality memory foam, which is needed to add support for pets with ailing joints. 

Shop on Amazon: A round donut bed and oval bolstered bed.

Flat Dog Bed

Best for: Adult dogs, as long as they have the right size.

Main feature: A soft and flat bed with no bolster.

Other features: Some are made of memory foam, which makes them suitable for senior dogs.

Not suitable for: Puppies because they will find beds with bolstered pads safer and cosier.

Shop on Amazon: A flat bed.

Cave Dog Bed

Best for: Dog breeds that like burrowing and snuggling under covers, like Boston Terriers and Dachshunds.

Main feature: It’s a round pad with a blanket top for the dogs to crawl into. 

Other features: Many colours to choose from. 

Shop on Amazon: A cave bed.

Heated Dog Bed

Best for: Ideal for dogs who love warmth all year round. It feels good even in the summertime because dogs will often seek a spot in the sun to rest. 

Main feature: This is a flat bed with an electric or insulating layer.

• The insulated beds have a layer similar to space blankets. This helps the dog to use their own body heat in order to remain warm.
• Plug-in beds are a bit more expensive but tend to be more effective.

Other features:

• Thermostatically controlled. It’s like giving him an electric blanket but without the wiring. 
• Activated by your dog laying on it. 
• Suitable for the outdoors. Because dogs also love to be outside, you want to give your pet something he can rest on while he’s outdoors rather than the ground or a hard deck. 

Shop on Amazon: Alternatively, you can place a dog bed warmer insert into your pup’s bed!

Cooling Dog Bed

Best for: There are a lot of breeds that are surprisingly prone to overheating (like Brachycephalic breeds – Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, etc.) despite their lack of huge coats of fur. You can make their lives a lot easier in the summer with a cooling bed. 

Main feature: A cooling bed works with a gel that absorbs energy when it’s crushed. This allows for a surprising amount of coolness which can last for quite some time, depending on the quality and quantity of the gel contained within. 

Other features: Not many colour options. They have a tendency to be the same uniform shade of blue. 

Shop on Amazon: Rather than buying another bed, you can place a cooling mat on top of your dog’s bed when necessary, or leave it on her area to lay into.

Orthopaedic Dog Bed

Best for: Senior dogs and dogs with joint problems.

Main feature: Flat or sofa shaped beds that are made of memory foam.

Other features: The memory foam ensures better support and rest for weary joints. If your dog has arthritis problems, for example, a soft bed with low edges is easy to get in and out. Also,

• Made of memory foam. This ensures that even the oldest dog will be able to lay their head down and get some rest at the end of the day while taking the weight off their weary joints. 
• Bolstered edges. Sofa shaped beds are rectangular with a bolster or headrest on three sides. If your dog needs special attention because he has problems with his neck, then you might want to get a bed with a bolster that wraps around. 
• The padding is at least four inches in thickness and it’s pretty durable – even for use with larger dogs.
• Waterproof.
• Machine washable cover.
• Non-slip bottom.

Shop on Amazon: A sofa shape orthopaedic bed or a flat orthopaedic bed.

Dog House

Best for: Mostly for toy and small dogs, although they come in all sizes.

Main feature: An indoor dog house, which has a ceiling and can have multiple entry points.

Other features: Creates a nice sense of security.

Shop on Amazon: An indoor dog house.

Dog Tent

Best for: Toy and small dogs.

Main feature: Another alternative if you want a ceiling over your dog’s head when sleeping for extra cosiness and blocking the light.

Other features: You can place a cushion or a flat bed inside.

Not suitable for: Medium and large dogs, since it’s difficult to find big size tents for dogs.

Shop on Amazon: A tent bed.

Indestructible Dog Bed

Best for: Big chewers that chew their way through nearly everything. If you’ve got a dog with a penchant for destruction, this may be the only way that you’re able to ensure that a dog bed lasts for more than a week or two. 

Main feature: An oval plastic bed that makes it hard to destroy for pretty much any dog. 

Other features:

• Perforated bottom for maximum air circulation.
• Lower entrance for better access.
• Easy to clean with a wet cloth and mild detergent.

Not suitable for: Older dogs since it’s not the most comfortable bed.

Shop on Amazon: A plastic dog bed.

Elevated Dog Bed

Best for: Dogs who need cooling, dogs with joint problems and dog who like chewing their beds.

Main feature: Elevated (suspended), flexible bed surface with steel frame.

Other features:

• Breathable fabric for cooling effect.
• Indoors and outdoors friendly.
• Easy to clean.
• Lightweight.

Shop on Amazon: An elevated bed.