17 best dog beds to give your pup a great night's sleep
Dogs may be able to fall asleep anytime, anywhere, anyhow (sometimes upside down, balanced atop chairs, on your shoulder) but that doesn’t mean they’re not discerning. So, if you're updating your own bedding for the new year, why not treat them to a new, cosy sleep set-up too.
There's a huge choice of beds out there for them too, including orthopaedic options, donut styles made to soothe anxious dogs and even cooling and self-heating designs. Many pampered pooches will also have day beds for when they need to catch a quick 40 winks (watching out for delivery drivers and cats is tiring work).
They expect their creature comforts, which is why we’ve searched high and low to find the best dog beds on the market to ensure they get a great night’s sleep. We’ve also asked pet parents to give us their recommendations, which you'll find below.
These are our top picks at a glance but read on for everything you need to know before you add to basket.
What’s the best type of bed for a dog?
Much like humans, the best bed for your dog will depend on how they like to sleep. Some like to spread out, so need a bit more room, while others like to burrow in and get extra cosy. These are some of the key factors you should consider before investing, according to Johanna Buitelaar-Warden, founder of Lords and Labradors.
Size
Even if your dog usually likes to curl up, make sure the bed is big enough for them to stretch out in if they want, but not too big that they struggle to get cosy.
“To determine the size of bed needed, measure your furry friend from nose to back paws while they're sleeping,” says Buitelaar-Warden. “Then, add 25 centimetres onto this figure, and choose a bed with a similar length.”
You’ll also need to consider where the bed will live (choose a private, draught-free spot) and whether you have the space for your chosen design.
Shape
“Consider both your dog's size and sleeping habits when choosing the right bed,” says Buitelaar-Warden. “Pay attention to how they sleep daily, whether they stretch out or prefer curling up.” Here are the designs she recommends for different sleep styles.
Mattress or cushion style beds: “These provide ample space for dogs who love to sprawl out in their sleep as they have open sides and can be easily moved around.”
High wall beds: “These offer support for those who like to curl up with something to lean on.”
Donut beds: “They provide ample support and are ideal for anxious dogs seeking comfort in a cocoon-like space.” Like nests, these beds are made from super-soft material with a raised rim to make them feel safe and protected.
Box beds: “These suit those pups who love to stretch out, but still want a soft headrest.”
Orthopaedic beds: “They cater to specific health needs, providing support for joint problems or senior dogs.” These beds are often shallower and can feature supportive memory foam mattresses.
Den (or hooded) beds: “These are perfect for burrowers like Dachshunds or Jack Russells, offering a cosy hideaway with an attached blanket for added comfort.”
Materials
If you have a mucky pup, you’ll want a bed that has a removable cover you can pop in the machine or is completely machine-washable (although check it isn’t too big and bulky to go in your washing machine). Your dog’s bed should be washed once a week or every two weeks at a minimum. You can also air it outside and give it a vacuum in between washes.
Dogs are prone to chewing their bed or occasionally dragging them around the floor, so look for a durable fabric. You also want something soft, yet stain-resistant. Microfibre is a good option as it also absorbs moisture well if your dog comes in wet from their walk. Cotton is another great pick as it’s breathable and hypoallergenic.
Now you know the essentials, let’s run through our favourite picks. All prices are for a medium-sized bed unless stated.
The Lounger Dog Bed
The Lounger is a quality dog bed that comes with a memory foam pad for extra comfort and sides for resting tired heads on. With an easy-to-remove machine-washable fabric cover, it’s also a practical pick. Plus, the brand sells spare fabric covers to use while your first set is in the wash, and waterproof covers for rainy days.
This bed was tested by the GHI, who sent it out to seven panellists (and their pups) to try at home over several weeks, reporting back on comfort and design. Our experts also assessed it for any colour fade or shrinkage after multiple washes. Testers were impressed with the quality of the material and found it washed well and retained its shape.
The dogs were happy too, with one owner telling us: “The memory foam cushions provide a lot of support and comfort for the dogs, and they really seem to enjoy it.”
There is a choice of five sizes and 15 different chic designs, including a duck egg check and pink tweed. Yes, it’s pricey but this is a premium buy that’s made to last.
Teddy Basket Pet Bed - Taupe
Dusk, maker of the Good Housekeeping Institute's top-rated waffle bedding, is now putting all its sleep expertise behind a new range of pet beds. This super soft Teddy bed is ideal for dogs who love their creature comforts and will fit seamlessly into your interiors.
Hay Dog Bed – Medium
We love the chic colourways of this bed from Heal's. But it's not just stylish colour blocking; there is substance to this bed. It's made from durable recycled polyester and has a removable and washable cover. We also like the strong sides so pups can rest their head while they snooze.
Donut Calming Dog Bed
You’ve probably seen these donut beds on social media (certainly if you're an avid watcher of cute dog videos). Ideal for more anxious pups, they act like a cosy nest that supports and protects them as they sleep.
This bed (again from the pros at Silentnight) has a super-soft, plush cover and is filled with responsive fibres to cocoon them while they nod off. The whole bed is machine washable so you can keep it smelling fresh and it comes in a choice of five shades.
Airmax Pet Bed
Silentnight knows a thing or two about good sleep, so its Airmax pet bed is a smart buy. It features a mesh fabric that allows air to circulate through the mattress to stop your pup from overheating. The cushion is also dual-sided with a fleece top for nights when they want to be cosy and a cooling side made with quilted, moisture wicking fabric for warm evenings.
The durable cover is also removable and machine washable so you don’t have to worry about muddy paws. This is a great, year-round bed.
Striped Faux Lambswool Double Layer Dog & Cat Sofa Bed
For the dog (or cat) who has everything, we bring you this sofa day bed. It's the ideal spot for them to hang out during the day, or maybe when they're catching up with Strictly.
It's made from a thick, faux lambswool for extra durability and features memory foam, cotton padding, plus an armrest and backrest for support and comfort. We also love the range of designs (the covers are removable and machine washable so no need to stress about getting them mucky either).
Striped High Sided Dog Bed - Small
We're big fans of this stylish Regency stripe bed from Lords and Labradors. It's a good pick for dogs who like to rest their head, thanks to the soft sides, and they'll also feel cosy and cocooned inside. The inner pillow also has a plush teddy fleece side for added comfort.
Medium Dog Sofa Bed
This orthopedic foam bed from Bedsure is another cosy buy that's great for pups that need a little extra support. It comes in eight colours and has a cover that zips off so you can throw it in the wash. It's not too deep, so dogs that struggle with mobility can get in and out easily, but it has raised sides for leaning on.
Dog owners are fans of the soft velvety interior material and firm shape. There are clear measurements online to help you choose the best size, and there are options for smaller and large dogs.
Travel Dog Car Seat Bed
If they won't settle when you're on the road, this car seat dog bed is a good option. It has adjustable safety straps and a built-in buckle that connects to their collar to keep them secure and handles so you can lift them in and out of your back seat.
This also doubles as a bed so they can get used it it before you travel. There are a range of different designs on the site with dimensions, so make sure you're choosing the right one for your pup before you buy.
Dog Bed
This quality mattress from the experts at Slumberdown has been designed with bigger dogs (or multiple dogs) in mind, as it goes up to an extra-large size.
The thick cushion is filled with soft hollowfibre and has a fleecy finish with a removable, washable cover. Spare covers are available if you want to change the design, too.
Washable Orthopaedic Dog Bed
Great for senior dogs, this uniquely designed bed from Emme is topped with plush faux fur and has an egg-crate orthopaedic foam base that evenly distributes body weight to soothe any aches and pains.
It also has an easy access design and a non-slip bottom. Two strong zippers mean you can easily remove every part of the bed for washing. Either put on a cool wash or hand wash to extend the bed’s life. This is a great option for a gentle, restorative sleep.
Scalloped Dog Bed
"The 3 Peaks dog bed is great if you want to take your pet on a walking holiday as it’s wipe clean after muddy walks and dries quickly,” says Fiona Andrews, dog parent to miniature wire haired dachshund, Ronnie. “It’s super tough for any dogs that like to have a good chew on their beds too.”
Tough, durable and comfortable, this is the perfect pick for dogs who love to explore (see it here modelled by Labrador puppy, Ralph). It's also portable, so great for taking on adventures.
Paw Print Oval Pet Bed
If they just want somewhere cosy to lay their head at night, this affordable paw print design is more than adequate. It has a wipe clean base and non-slip backing and is machine washable (note, you can’t remove the cushion).
Owners recommend sizing up as it’s quite compact. It also doesn't come in large, so probably isn’t suited to bigger dogs, but it’s a comfy, budget pick.
Teddy Oval Dog Bed Grey - X Small
"My dog Angua (seen above) adores her ‘teddy’ bed from Pets at Home,” says owner Emma Franklin. “It’s got soft but high walls so she feels like she’s in her own cave, and is super soft and cosy from the fleece lining.”
This one only comes in extra small (dimensions: 21 x 48 x 39cm) so it's best for smaller dogs who like to curl up like Angua. It also has a removable cushion that's machine washable, so freshening up is a cinch.
Green/White Wavy Pet Medium Bed
Okay, the aesthetics are more for you than them, but if you want a statement bed to fit into your home, this monochrome wavy pattern with green piping will definitely do the job.
Made from cotton and polyester, it has a non-slip base, removable cushion inners and a zip closure, so you can pop the cover in the wash at 30 degrees.
Tartan Quilted Dog Bed, Olive Green
This premium Barbour bed boasts a classic waxed cotton outer and inner tartan design – perfect for a country dog (or those that aspire to be country dogs).
It has soft sides they can rest their head on, a dropped front for easy access and the cushion pad is removable and washable. It does come up small due to the chunky sides, so we suggest sizing up.
Adventurer Self Heat Mattress Dog Bed
For pups that like to be warm and cosy, consider this attractive bed from Wainwright’s. The cushion has a layer of heat reflective material designed to retain your dog’s heat.
It’s not just for winter though – flip the dual-sided cushion so your furry friend can sleep on the cooler side when the weather heats up. The cover is also machine washable for easy cleaning.
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