What is the Best Dog Bed to Buy?
No matter if your dog is a pup or a veteran who is a little long in the tooth, helping them get the rest they need to tackle each day with the energy of a two-year-old is important. Choosing the right dog bed is a key step in making sure they have a safe, cozy place to rest and recharge.
Dog beds come in as many shapes and configurations as there are breeds of dogs. There isn’t really a ‘one size fits all’ option that will work for everyone.
As you might imagine, the mighty Mastiff will have substantially different needs and preferences than would the small but lively Shih Tzu.
In this guide, we cover not only HOW to chop for the best dog bed for your pupper, but also review some of our top picks for best dog beds in 2021.
As proud dog owners ourselves, we know that your fur baby is family, and we always take care of family.
So without further delay, grab a Scoobie snack for your dog and a little something for yourself too as we dive in…
How to Choose a Dog Bed
When choosing your dog’s bed, its important to start with the basics. Let’s begin with some simple information about your dog, like how much they weigh, their age, and their sleeping style.
Why your Dog’s Age Matters
None of us are getting any younger, your pup included. As your dog ages, their needs change (just like you). Remember back when your knees didn’t creak like a broken rocking chair? Yeah. Us too. Point is, an older dog will need not just a soft comfortable layer to curl up in, but also firmness in key areas to provide support for aging bones and joints.
On the other end of the spectrum, you might have a young pup that loves to roughhouse, chew and tear things up.
What Size Bed Should I get for my Dog?
This one is a bit of a no-brainer. The biggest factor here is making sure your dog has enough room to stretch out and get comfy, without being too large to make them feel like its not a confined space (dogs often enjoy the security of a ‘cove’ to curl up in).
When determining size, we suggest measuring your dog from nose to tail, then add a few extra inches for good measure.
Lifestyle and Behavior
Helping you narrow things down further is how your dog likes to enjoy their day and their personality. For example, do they constantly steal your blankets or do they run hot? Are they prone to shedding or tracking in mud from a romp in the puddles outside? How do they normally like to sleep? Rolled up in a ball or stretched out to the max?
All of these and more can help you narrow down your choices to those that make most sense for your best friend and loyalist of companions.
What Type of Dog Bed Should I Get?
When we talk about type, most customers associate this with the style or shape of the bed. Dog beds come in a wide range of shapes and configurations, from ovals and circles, to sofa style rectangles and even box beds or caves. On rare occasions, we even see dogs that prefer a crate to a bed. We’re not sure why lol, but it happens.
When it comes to shape, the size of your dog, sleep patterns and the way they lay out when they sleep is what you need to be paying attention to.
What Material Should My Dog Bed Be Made of?
Dog beds are made from a wide range of materials, from faux fur to memory foam or orthopedic foam. Similar to people, you need to consider your pet’s health and lifestyle in order to determine the best fit.
A dog prone to allergies (for example) may be better suited to an organic hypo-allergenic material or one that is easy to frequently clean and wash. If you live in a cold climate, adequate insulation is a serious factor to weigh, whereas those in hot climates will want a material that is more ‘breathable’ and cooling. Those who live in wet climates or who’s fur baby loves to get wet (or drool a lot) might find that some water resistance is key.
What Type of Dog Beds Do Dogs Prefer?
Do dogs prefer soft or hard beds?
What is the Most Comfortable Bed for Your Dogs?
Newborns and Pups
Puppies are still used to the womb and need a soft plush bed to feel safe and secure. But don’t spend too much, your little one will grow up fast and will soon need more room to curl up for a nap.
Growing Dogs and Adolescents
At this age, your dog is rambunctious, and akin to a toddler. They tend to chew up everything in sight, and enjoy roughhousing at every opportunity. For a growing pup, moderate to firm is ideal for a bed.
An Aging or Elder Dog
At this stage in your dog’s life, things are starting to hurt and get harder. A long day of fetch or playtime can leave your dog feeling weak and sore. You might think that going back to an ultra-plush dog bed is best…but you’d be mistaken. Older dogs need a certain amount of support in key areas to aid in reducing joint pain and pressure. Older dogs may also have a hard time getting up from a bed that’s too soft. Something in the middle firmness-wise usually works best, but you may want to consider an orthopedic dog bed, memory foam dog bed, or one with additional comfort features such as gel inserts.
The Best Dog Bed for your Fur Baby (2021 Update)
Each year our team rolls up our sleeves and puts in the hours of research, product testing, and consultations with our own pets to find the best dog bed for your doggo.
The Best Eco Friendly Dog Beds
On the other hand, we recommend opting for reusable pee pads, as these are made out of a washable, eco-friendly fabric that can be reused for up to 200 washes – or until it’s threadbare and worn out.
Overview: You’ll love this. These beds are actually made from recycled t-shirts and eco-friendly plastics. Blending style and function with impressive sustainability efforts and a wide selection of sizes shapes and colors to choose from makes Project Blu a winner in our book.
Why We Love Project Blue Dog Beds
Easy to Clean: Apart from being eco-friendly, these dog beds are washable and easy to clean. A must if your dogs shed a lot or tend to track in dirt and grime. Simply toss the whole bed in the washing machine using the cold water setting and bingo-bango! You’ll have a fresh-smelling clean dog bed in no time.
Durability: These dog beds are made to take a beating and keep on keeping on. Perfect for the energetic pet that tends to beat up their belongings. Best of all, unlike some products we tested, this durability doesn’t come at the expense of comfort.
Style: Traditionally, dog beds left a lot to be desired in the ‘style’ department. We won’t go so far as to say many brands are an eyesore, but they certainly don’t fit in with modern décor at all. This brand, however, does! Handmade by genuine Italian artisans, beds from Project Blu embrace modern style, designs and trends that actually fit in with your own personality and style. If you’re looking for a dog bed that can actually complement and add to your home’s décor, this is a brand well worth considering.
Project Blu Eco-Friendly Dog Bed Features:
- Removable cover for easy washing
- Made from eco-friendly recycled materials resulting in a low carbon footprint
- Stylish designs ranging from bold and modern to classical and chic
- The cover is machine washable
- Durable material that holds up well to stretching
Chew Proof Dog Bed (including a 200-day Guarantee!)
From puppies to your 15-year-old who is a little long in the tooth, dogs love to chew. Its in their DNA, and to an extent, its even good for their jaw development and dental health. But when they decide to make their bed a chew toy, it can be frustrating. After all, dog beds aren’t free, and replacing them can be a hassle.
If you’re looking for a virtually indestructible dog bed that can hold up to even the most aggressive chewer, you’re in luck. We’ve been there and have just the solution.
Overview: The name says it all. This dog bed is built with enough TUFF to stand up to the RUFF. From chewing to digging, Bully Bed utilizes a unique blend of proprietary materials combined with impressive build quality to withstand even the most aggressive of doggies.
Why We Love Project Blue Dog Beds
200-Day Guarantee: In case you’re bad at math, that’s darn near a year (minus 156 days) of guaranteed replacement. With this type of a warranty you know the brand is standing behind its chew-proof guarantee and putting their money where their mouth is.
Material: Each bed is made from “BullyTuf”, a proprietary material that was engineered specifically to withstand digging, scratching and chewing. But that’s not all. How about Kevlar seams? That’s right, the same material used for bulletproof vests!
Hypo-allergenic, Non-Toxic Materials: Although all the beds on our “best dog bed” list use non-toxic materials, we thought this was worth the additional mention considering the use of specialized Kevlar and the proprietary BullyTuff fabric.
BullyBed Features:
- Removable cover for easy washing
- Impressive 20-year standard warranty and 200-day chew warranty
- Made from the same Certi-pure memory foam fabric as human beds
- Hypoallergenic and non-toxic material
- Waterproof liner
- Heavy duty (chew resistant) zippers
- 4-5” thickness for extra comfort
- Smell/odor resistant
- Orthopedic foam layer for additional support
- And so much more…
Chew proof bed with 200-day guarantee
Best Orthopedic Large Dog Beds
The Best Overall Bed for Large Dogs
Do you own a big dog breed? These friendly giants are the light of our day and make for incredible companions and family members. But they aren’t without their challenges. After all, they don’t have a ‘Big and Tall’ store for dogs.
Luckily, we’ve been able to scout out the best orthopedic large dog beds for your big breed dogos, or those smaller breeds who enjoy a little more space to stretch out and roll around.
Overview: Sound familiar? It should. For the second time, this brand has made our list of best dog beds, this time offering an impressive range of large orthopedic beds for big breeds.
What We Love About These Orthopedic Beds
Options and Styles: THey aren’t exactly Baskin Robbins with 31 flavors, but the company has put together a really nice line of orthopedic dog beds in various configurations, including: the standard orthopedic Bully Bed and Orthopedic 3-sided Bolster Beds.
Materials: Engineered for orthopedic support, these beds are made from genuine Certipur memory foam and foam designed specifically for large breed (heavier) pets. Impressive Support: Living up to the name, these beds offer a truly orthopedic level of support, helping keep your buddy comfortable, while relieving pressure from joints so they can get a good night’s rest.
Comfort: Similar to support, these beds don’t lack in the comfort department either. While some orthopedic beds are firm and uncomfortable, these beds utilize unique layers of varying material and foam densities to offer superior comfort as well as support.
Bully Beds: Orthopedic Dog Bed Features
- 20-year ‘not flat’ guarantee
- 4-7” thickness options
- Free shipping
- Orthopedic and memory foam
- Sofa and other design options
- Beautifully crafted
- Internal waterproof cover
- Machine washable
- Non-slip base
- Made for large dogs
- And more…
Best Orthopedic Large Dog Beds
Best Infrared Dog Bed
Ok OK, we just can’t get enough of this brand. Making its THIRD appearance on our list isn’t a coincidence. Our team just loves the products, but more than that, so do our doggies, and that’s what matters the most.
Overview: THE ONLY DOG BED TO RECEIVE FDA MEDICAL DEVICE CERTIFICATION – What?!?!?!
That’s right. Starting to understand WHY we LOVE, THIS BRAND, so much? They go above and beyond with every product they put out. From concept and design, to build quality and innovation like no other
What We Love About This Infrared Bed
FDA Approved: The first-ever (and only) FDA approved dog bed that comes with a medical device certification.
Infrared Technology: These beds utilize your dog’s own natural body heat and natural infrared ray emissions (FIR) emitted by your pups own body and reflect that energy back towards your dogo.
What does all that mean? Why is that important? Turns out, its not just about warmth and comfort. This technology received medical device status for a reason. FIR technology aids in the dilation of blood vessels, improving circulation, enhancing oxygen levels, reducing discomfort, improving recovery time and boosting healing. Impressive right? The FDA thinks so too.
Cool Comfort: Thermal insulation ensures that your fur baby is kept cool and comfy, with the bed’s material aiding in maintaining your pet’s natural body temperature.
Healing and Recovery: Support, comfort and infrared technology come together to speed along recovery and soothe aching joints, increasing your pet’s quality of life.
Infrared Bed Features
- Thermal insulation to maintain body temperature
- Proven to aid in health and recovery
- FIR emission technology promotes blood vessel dilation to aid in health and healing
- FDA certified
- Durable
Infrared dog bed
From Lay LO Pets comes a boutique line of high-end, luxury pet beds that won’t break the bank. Your pet and home deserve better, and Lay LO Pets aims to give it to you.
Overview: Pet beds are notoriously ugly, boring and drab. But not Lay LO Pets’ beds. These beds meld innovative design with modern and artistic style to perfectly complement your home’s décor.
What We Love About These Luxury Washable Pet Beds
Simple and Elegant: While some stylish pets beds go too far on the ‘bold’ end of the spectrum, with flashy (and sometimes gaudy colors), Lay LO takes an elegant and understated take that doesn’t detract from your home’s décor, but ads to it.
Style and Versatility: Coming in a broad range of designs, each luxury bed boasts a simple mattress design, making them versatile and capable of easily blending in with your other décor. With new styles and bed covers released quarterly, you can always keep up with what’s new and chic. Build Quality: These luxury beds are handcrafted right in Brooklyn, NY, making them a one of a kind piece for your home and built to last.
Comfort and Orthopedics: A luxury look and feel doesn’t come at the expense of orthopedic comfort and support with these beds. Combining a unique blend of polyurethane and memory foam with poly-fil for improved breathability, these dog beds are as comfortable as they are aesthetic.
Machine Washable: Did we mention these beds come with a machine-washable knit cover and an accident-resistant orthopedic insert?
Luxury Washable Pet Bed Features:
- Exquisite luxury and artisanal designs
- Machine washable cover
- Changeable covers
- Memory foam mattress
- Poly fil for improved breathability
- And more…
Luxury Washable Pet Beds
Best Elevated Dog Bed for Indoor and Outdoor Use
Dubbed the K9 Cot (cute name right), this elevated dog bed is perfect for indoor or outdoor lounging and naptime.
Overview: Part of their “Dream Chaser” series, the K9 Cot by Tall Tails is everything an elevated bed for dogs should be, and then some. Comfortable and ideal for outdoor and indoor use, this bed keeps your little fur baby up off the ground. When outside this means away from bugs and ticks, and when inside this means up off your precious carpet or floor.
What We Love About This Elevated Pet Bed
Construction and Build Quality: Made to last from high-quality materials, this bed is durable and light enough to move around when needed.
Spill-Resistant Mesh Fabric: Unlike plush beds that soak up liquids, drooling, spills and accidents, this bed is made from a mesh fabric (similar to a trampoline) that resists stains and damage from anything wet.
Airflow and Cooling: Especially beneficial for dogs with thick fur or who live in warm climates, the elevated pet bed provides optimal airflow for improved cooling, breathability and comfort.
Chew Proof Frame: Featuring anodized aluminum, this frame is resistant to chewing as well as corrosion. But that’s not all. The unique design hides the edges of the mesh fabric, meaning that your pupper can’t chew on it even if they wanted to.
Lifetime Guarantee: Each bed frame comes with a lifetime chew-proof guarantee, while the bed’s sleeping surface is backed by a generous 1-year guarantee.
Elevated Pet Bed Features:
- Durable and breathable mesh fabric bed surface
- Chew proof anodized aluminum frame
- Lightweight yet stable construction
- Lifetime guarantee on the frame and 1-yr guarantee on the bedding
High-Quality Elevated pet bed for indoor or outdoor
Making its second appearance in our selection of the best dog beds is Project Blu. When it comes to the best dog beds for small dogs they really hit the mark.
Overview: From the small but mighty Shih Tzu to the feisty chihuahua, we LOVE our small breed dogs. But as you already know, these pint-sized pups often require special care and products custom-tailored to work with their little frames. We have chosen the Daytona Bolster Bed by Project Blu as our favorite for small breed dogs.
What We Love About This Pet Bed for Small Dogs
Size and Style: Contrary to popular belief, you don’t want to go too small when purchasing a bed for your small breed dog. You want to give them enough room to dig around and get comfy. But you also don’t want them to feel like they don’t have a cozy corner to curl up in.
This bed has you covered on both fronts. Its not too big nor too small. It has enough room for your small dog as well as their favorite toys and blankets without feeling too cramped. But, and this is an important feature, it also has a concave shape and taller edges that help your little one feel safe, secure and protected.
Sustainable Premium Fabric: Made from non-toxic recycled plastics and clothing, each bed helps keep our earth and oceans free from waste.
Durable: In all of our tests and customer feedback, these beds held up considerably well over time.
Easy to Clean: The included machine washable cover makes cleaning a breeze.
Comfortable: These beds feels so good (no we didn’t lay in it…but if we could fit let me tell you!). Made from a combination of plush fabric and supportive foam, your little buddy will love nap time as much as you d006F.
Project Blu Small Breed Dog Bed Features:
- Eco-friendly
- High comfort
- Concave design
- Machine washable removable bed cover
Best Dog Beds for Small Dogs
Prefer to build your own dog bed?
You’ve heard of, and perhaps even participated in a “Build a Bear” workshop but how about building your own dog bed. If you’re a dog owner who likes to customize everything, then the Build your own dog bed is the perfect option for you. Pick from 27 different fabrics for both the cushion and the bolster (they can be different colors to truly customize your dog bed)and four sizes to create your pets perfect bedtime oasis. These beds fit perfectly with your decor and promise to make getting up each morning a little bit more pleasant than before. Each bed comes with its very own waterproof base so even if Fluffy has an accident or two it won’t ruin anything other than her ego (oh wait- I mean coat). Couldn’t be more couch friendly and soft on paws too!
Do Dogs Need Blankets?
That depends. In most cases, your dog would at least like the option. In others, where climates might be cooler, your dog’s fur coat naturally thinner, or for those dogs who are more nervous, a blanket can be both warming and comforting.
For our money, we think you can’t do much better than the dog blankets from Tall Tails. Available in a broad range of styles, materials and designs, there is a blanket perfect for every dog out there.
Help Your Best Friend Have the Best Sleep of Their Lives
We hope you enjoyed our guide and review of the best dog beds for 2021. Our team works hard so you don’t have to, sifting through the noise online, testing out products, researching consumer feedback and finding the best products for you and your family.
Have questions? Think we missed something? Let us know. We appreciate all feedback and are always looking for ways to serve you better.
