Melanie Rud is a freelance beauty writer, editor, and expert living in Chicago. Prior to moving to Chicago, Melanie held beauty editorial positions at Shape, Good Housekeeping, and Health. Today, she is a contributing writer for Byrdie where she covers all things skincare, interviewing top dermatologists to get to the bottom of the latest trends and products, as well as PEOPLE, Real Simple, Brides and more. Melanie holds a BA in Journalism and English from New York University.
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It's easy to spend more on your pup than you do on yourself. From toys to treats (and everything else in between), we only want our best buds to have the absolute best. And that holds especially true when it comes to dog beds, which actually serve several important purposes.
“While dogs seem to be happy lounging just about anywhere around the house, it’s important that they have a dedicated dog bed,” says Danielle Bernal, DVM, global veterinarian with Wellness Pet Company. Not only does it provide a warm, comfortable spot for them, it can also be very useful during training, serving as a specific space that they can retreat to, she says. They also offer a sense of security. “The bed becomes the dog’s safe space, an area they know is theirs and that they can retreat to for rest and relaxation,” she explains. "This can be especially important if the dog’s bed is relocated, as they still know the bed is their secure place." To that point, dog beds are very handy for traveling; if you can bring your dog bed along, it provides a familiar place for your dog to settle without the scent of home, adds Dr. Tory Waxman, co-founder and chief veterinary officer of Sundays for Dogs.
There’s no shortage of different types of dog beds out there, more than mattresses for people, we’d argue. There are a variety of sizes and shapes, meant for all different sized dogs with various sleeping preferences. To determine which were the best, our testers (and their dogs) evaluated 20 options on the market. The pups used them for two weeks; the people assessed the quality, how comfortable they seemed, the size, ease of cleaning, and value. According to both the dog and human testers, the Furhaven Memory Foam Plush and Suede Sofa was a standout, with perfect scores in every category. Another six also earned winning spots, offering a little something for everyone (well, every dog).
Keep reading for the best dog beds according to PEOPLE Tested.
Comes in five different sizes, and several different styles, including a memory foam and cooling gel foam
Holds up well after washing
The larger sizes take up quite a bit of space
This bolster-style bed proved to be both extra comfortable and nice and spacious for our tester’s 75-pound pup, George. So much so that it pulled in a perfect five out of five in every category. “I was glad to find that it’s indeed extremely soft, not just its surface but also when lying down. Yes, I curled up on my dog’s bed — more than once. Our dog usually spends part or all of the night sharing our human bed, and that didn’t change. However, he actually used this dog bed pretty regularly throughout the day and in the evenings. He enjoys elevating his head on pillows and the bolsters provided that support,” our tester said.
She also liked that it came in a cooling gel foam option, which she credits for keeping long-haired George from getting too hot, a turn-off for him when it comes to many other beds. The quality and ease of cleaning were also excellent (the cover easily zips off and holds up well, even after being washed), as was the overall value. “I’ve purchased beds at a similar price that were much lower quality,” our tester said. And with five sizes to choose from (we tested the jumbo) and 15 colors to choose from, there’s a little something for everyone. Although, of course, the bigger the bed you choose, the more floor space it will take up in your home.
Price at time of publish: $63.99
Sizes: 5 | Material: Polyester, memory foam | Colors: 15 | Machine Washable: Yes, the cover is
This also comes in several different styles, including a memory foam, cooling gel foam, and even orthopedic foam
Holds up well after washing
The fabric on the bed could be slightly thicker
The largest size is only meant for dogs up to 80 pounds
“If your dog likes to burrow under the covers, a cave bed can provide them with the same feeling, without messing up your bed,” says Bernal. This was the winning pick for those types of pups, including our tester’s 25-pound French Bulldog-Boston Terrier mix. “My dog loves to get under the covers and typically wants to burrow into her beds or on the couch, usually making little cries because she can’t quite get it to her liking. With this bed, she hasn’t done that at all and immediately gets under the blanket and takes a snooze,” she said. “(To that point, that blanket can also be converted to be used as more of a cave-like top.) There are four options of the base to choose from, including memory, cooling gel, and orthopedic foam, the latter a nice choice for older dogs. Our tester gave it a five out of five in the size category, noting that it fit her smaller dog perfectly, though if you have a larger dog, keep in mind that the largest size is only intended for dogs up to 80 pounds. The removable cover was easy to machine wash and keep clean, and while it did earn a slight deduction for value (with our tester noting that the faux sherpa and suede materials wasn’t particularly thick), at the price it is she said she’d have no problem having to replace it every few years if it got really worn.
Price at time of publish: $34.99
Sizes: 6 | Material: Polyester, memory foam | Colors: 11 | Machine Washable: Yes, the cover is
The quality and construction of this bed is very high-end, using many of the same materials the brand uses in their human beds
A detachable mat can be taken off the base and used elsewhere, such as in a dog’s crate
Even though the fill of the bed is soft, the fabric is canvas-like and a bit rougher
Our tester raved about both the impressive quality of this bed as well as its chic design. “The overall design is very pleasing. You can tell there was a lot of consideration put into designing this bed and what materials were used,” she said, when explaining why she gave it a five out of five for quality. (She also called out the detachable mat, which pops off the base and can be used elsewhere if you like.) To that point, this bed is made of a foam that’s very similar to the kind the brand uses for its human mattresses. And even though it can cost up to $270 for the large size, our tester still found it to be a fairly good value, given the “superb design and quality of materials,” saying it would be a good choice for those who wanted to spend a bit more on a dog bed. Where this bed didn’t perform quite as well was comfort. “The material is more canvas-like and not as soft, which is great for durability, but not so much for comfort. The insert itself is very plush and comfortable, but the outer material outweighs the comfort of the interior,” she said, noting that it took some coercion to get her dog onto it.
Price at time of publish: $154
Sizes: 3 | Material: Polyurethane foam (base); polyester fiber-fill (pillow); cotton-polyester blend (cover) | Colors: 3 | Machine Washable: Base and pad covers can be washed
Offers both a cooling side and a warming side
Our tester put both the cover and pillow in the wash with good results
There are only two sizes available
The bed doesn’t come with cleaning instructions
Offering a plush fabric on one side and a smooth surface on the other, this bed is choice for dogs who either run hot, cold, or both. Case in point: Our tester found that her dog liked using both in different scenarios. “Willow really likes the soft, plush, fuzzy top, which is the warming side,” she said, adding that while she didn’t lay on the cooling side usually, she did like it when it was put in her kennel with the cooling side up; our tester actually recommended this as a good crate bed. For that reason, it scored perfect marks in both comfort and quality. It did earn a lower grade for ease of cleaning; our tester noted that she actually washed both the cover and pillow itself, with good results, though lamented the fact that the bed didn’t come with instructions on how to do so.
Price at time of publish: $62.99
Sizes: 2 | Material: Cotton | Colors: 4 | Machine Washable: Yes
The bed itself is the perfect mix of both soft and sturdy
The simple design isn’t particularly pretty
While this option is admittedly pricey, our tester deemed it totally splurge-worthy for its comfort, quality, and ease of cleaning. “At first I thought it was a bit pricey, but after seeing it in my home, I definitely think it’s worth every penny. This bed is sure to last a lifetime. I’m so impressed with the durability of the material,” she said. So much that she likened the quality to that of her own mattress, saying it was both soft and sturdy at the same time. It also earned top marks for ease of cleaning. “My dog loves bully sticks and bones filled with peanut butter, but they’re so messy. She ate on top of this bed and clearly left residue on the cover, but the mess came off easily with cleaning spray and a paper towel,” she said. The cover is also machine-washable, and entirely waterproof; our tester was quick to note that it would be a great choice for dogs that aren’t yet potty trained or who slobber a lot. While she did call out that it could be a bit more aesthetically-pleasing, if you don’t mind a no-frills style, this is an excellent choice.
Price at time of publish: $299
Sizes: 4 | Material: Polyester, shredded foam | Colors: 4 | Machine Washable: Yes, the cover is
A duck canvas cover makes this extremely durable and sturdy
The cover is both machine-washable and easy to wipe clean
It only comes in three sizes, even the largest of which may be too small for larger dogs
Our tester had her 45-pound puppy put this through the ringer and it held up beautifully. “[This bed is made of] extremely durable and hefty material that held up to stains and digging paws — and puppy chewing. Dasie would occasionally pee on the bed and it would wipe right off and seep into the bed! Very impressed!” she said. (The duck canvas cover is machine washable, though our tester noted that washing and drying it was a bit time-consuming and didn’t yield much more of a difference than spot cleaning.) She also added that her pup loved to curl up on the bed, thanks to the “durable, sturdy padding” for long naps. It did take a bit of a hit in the size category, with our tester noting that it was a bit smaller than expected.
Price at time of publish: $109.99
Sizes: 3 | Material: Polyester fiber filled cushion; duck canvas cover | Colors: 6 | Machine Washable: Yes, the cover is
This can be used zipped up as a sleeping bag, or unzipped as a blanket
It’s extremely lightweight and portable, and comes with a stuff sack, perfect for outdoor adventures
Only comes in two sizes, which may be limiting for larger dogs
There’s only one color to choose from
“As someone who frequents the outdoors with her dog often, I’m really pleased with this dog sleeping bag,” said our tester. “The materials feel high quality, and my dog loved snoozing on it, both inside and outside." She noted that even though it’s extremely lightweight (again, a great choice when you’re camping or backpacking), it was still super warm and retained her dog’s body heat when zipped up. Her pup used it both zipped and unzipped; the latter made for a nice supplement to function as a blanket for an indoor dog bed, she added. It didn’t score quite as well in the size category; it was a bit smaller than expected, though still fit our tester’s 55-pound pup well. However, our tester did note that it would be good to size up. Even though it’s on the pricier side, it still scored a five in the value category, with the quality materials and multi-use options earning rave reviews.
Price at time of publish: $99.95
Sizes: 2 | Material: Synthetic down | Colors: 1 | Machine Washable: Yes, but air dry
“It’s important to choose the right size bed, as getting it wrong can make a big difference when it comes to your dog’s warmth and comfort,” says Dr. Bernal. “A bed that’s too small may be cramped and uncomfortable, so if your dog is in-between sizes or still growing, size up. To determine the best fit, measure your dog from the tip of the nose to the tail. This will tell you the length of the bed your dog needs. Then measure from their shoulder to the floor. This measurement will tell you how wide the bed should be,” she suggests.
“Orthopedic beds provide extra cushion for older dogs and dogs with arthritis,” says Dr. Waxman. “In addition to added comfort, these types of beds also provide a spring-like cushion that helps dogs rise from a sleeping position,” she explains. Similarly, beds with adequate amounts of padding are important for large breed dogs, who can scrape their elbows when they rise from hard surfaces, which can lead to scarring and even calluses, adds Dr. Andy Chiang, a veterinarian with RIFRUF. Have a puppy? Make sure your bed is resistant to chewing, digging, and accidents.
“The position your dog prefers to sleep in will help determine the shape, filling, and kind of bed they’ll like best,” explains Dr. Bernal. “ If your dog loves curling up into a snuggly ball or burrowing into soft bedding, a bolster or basket bed may be the best choice for them. Bolster or basket beds have slightly raised sides that your dog can nuzzle up against; the raised sides also provide a little headrest for them to prop their head against if they prefer. If your dog loves sprawling out while they sleep, a cushion, pillow, or mattress style bed will be a better match. These types of beds don’t have any raised sides, so they give your dog more freedom to stretch out,” she says.
Beds with washable covers will make your life infinitely easier, particularly if you have active dogs that like to play (and get dirty) outside, notes Dr. Chiang.
Our testers had their pups use their new dog beds for two weeks. They (the humans) took detailed notes on how the dog responded to it, fit in it, and generally used it. The quality and durability of the materials of the bed were assessed, and each bed cleaned (following the manufacturer’s instructions) after one week of use. After the two week period, our testers ranked each product on a scale of one to five in the following categories: quality, comfort, size, ease of cleaning, and value.
This depends largely on your pup’s sleeping preferences, as well as their age. However, according to the veterinarians we spoke with, softer beds with lots of cushion or padding are especially important for older dogs or dogs who may have any issues with their joints.
It depends, but it does add to the convenience. However, if you are going to machine wash it, Dr. Waxman suggests always using a fragrance-free detergent, given that dogs are very sensitive to smells. If you’re trying to clean up an accident, pre-treating it with a dedicated cleaner beforehand can be helpful, she says.
“While your dog may always have a favorite bed, a good rule of thumb is to provide your dog with one dog bed per room where the family generally spends the most time sitting, sleeping, or relaxing. If you have more than one dog, make sure that each dog has their own bed in these places,” says Dr. Bernal. And that holds particularly true if you don’t allow your dog on furniture, as you still want to make sure they have a comfortable space to relax, adds Dr. Waxamn.
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