How to Choose the Right Bed for Your Dog

By Dr Duncan Houston

The right dog bed depends on who is sleeping in it. A young terrier who burrows under blankets has different needs from an older Labrador with arthritis or a muddy spaniel who considers puddles a lifestyle choice.

Age, body weight, health, sleeping habits and how easily the bed can be cleaned all matter. Watch where your dog chooses to rest, how they position themselves and whether they get up comfortably. Those clues are more useful than choosing by appearance alone.

Quick Answer

Choose a dog bed that supports your dog’s weight, allows them to stretch out and is easy to enter and leave. Heavier dogs and dogs with arthritis often benefit from a supportive foam mattress, while lighter, healthy dogs may be comfortable with softer filling. A covered bed can suit a nervous dog who likes hiding, and a fluffy surface may appeal to dogs who enjoy nuzzling and nesting. For muddy dogs or dogs who have accidents, prioritise removable washable covers and a waterproof layer protecting the mattress.

1. Start With Your Dog’s Age

Puppies

Look for an accessible bed with comfortable padding and a cover that is easy to wash. Toilet accidents, muddy paws and enthusiastic chewing are all part of the planning.

Check seams, zips and decorative details. If your puppy pulls out stuffing or tears fabric, remove access to the damaged bed and reassess the setup. No soft bed should be assumed to be chew-proof.

Choose enough space for comfortable sleeping now, and reassess the size as they grow.

Adult dogs

A healthy adult dog gives you plenty of clues about their preferences.

Do they stretch across the floor, curl into a tight ball, rest their chin on the sofa arm or disappear beneath a blanket? Choose a shape that accommodates those habits, with enough support underneath.

Senior dogs

For older dogs, ease of movement becomes especially important. A low entrance, stable mattress and non-slip base can make getting into and out of bed less demanding.

A very deep, soft bed may be awkward if they sink into it and struggle to stand. Watch the entire movement: approaching the bed, stepping in, lying down, turning and getting back up. Canine Arthritis Management recommends tailoring bedding to the individual dog’s comfort and mobility.

2. Match the Support to Their Body Weight

Heavier dogs generally need a bed that resists compression under a greater load.

A cushion that comfortably supports a small dog may flatten almost completely under a large dog. The practical concern is whether the hips, shoulders and elbows still have cushioning beneath them once the dog lies down.

For a heavier dog, look for:

• A substantial, resilient mattress that keeps its shape.

• Enough cushioning to prevent pressure points from resting almost directly on the floor.

• A stable surface that allows comfortable turning and standing.

• A sleeping area large enough for their whole body.

Is memory foam better?

A well-made memory foam mattress can be a good choice, particularly for a heavier dog or one with painful joints. Supportive memory foam is among the bedding options recommended by Canine Arthritis Resources and Education for dogs with arthritis.

However, the words “memory foam” or “orthopaedic” do not tell you how a particular bed will perform. The construction, thickness, firmness and condition of the mattress all matter.

A thin layer of memory foam over a collapsing base may provide little useful support. Equally, a mattress that is so firm your dog cannot settle comfortably is not automatically better.

Look for cushioning with support: a surface that gives slightly beneath the body without swallowing the dog.

What about smaller, lighter dogs?

Lighter dogs generally compress the same filling less, so a well-padded fibre-filled or plush bed may suit them comfortably.

But size does not override health. A small dog with arthritis, muscle loss or difficulty standing may still need a more supportive mattress. Slim dogs with prominent bony areas also need adequate padding, regardless of their weight.

3. Consider Arthritis and Other Health Conditions

For a dog with arthritis, hip dysplasia or another painful mobility problem, the bed should make resting and changing position easier.

Useful features include a supportive mattress, a low entry point and a base that stays still. Put non-slip flooring around it too. Getting out of a comfortable bed onto slippery tiles can undo the benefit of an otherwise sensible setup.

Bolstered sides can provide a comfortable place to rest the head, but leave an accessible entrance. Avoid making a stiff dog climb over a high wall every time they want a nap.

A suitable bed supports arthritis care; it does not replace pain management. Arthritis can affect younger dogs too, and stiffness, limping or difficulty rising deserves a veterinary assessment. Treatment usually involves several measures, including weight management, suitable activity and veterinary pain relief.

Dogs recovering from surgery or living with neurological disease may need a specific bedding plan. If they cannot reposition themselves, a good mattress alone will not prevent pressure injuries. They may also need assisted turning, skin checks and help staying clean and dry, as directed by their veterinary team.

4. Choose a Covered Bed for Dogs Who Like a Retreat

A covered bed, cave or sheltered sleeping area can be a good option for a nervous dog who naturally chooses to hide.

Look at their existing behaviour. If they regularly settle under a desk or behind the sofa, they may appreciate a bed with some overhead cover.

However, a cave bed is not automatically the best choice for every anxious dog. Some dogs relax more easily when they can see the room and their family.

Choose a covered bed with:

• An entrance your dog can use easily.

• Enough internal space to turn and lie comfortably.

• Good ventilation.

• A stable structure that will not collapse around them.

• The freedom to enter and leave whenever they choose.

Introduce it during a calm period. Let your dog investigate voluntarily, and make it a place where children, visitors and other pets leave them alone. Dogs Trust recommends tailoring a safe space to the dog, including how much cover they prefer.

If your dog remains frightened, pants, paces or cannot settle, address the cause with your vet. A sheltered sleeping spot can be part of their support plan, but a bed cannot treat an anxiety disorder by itself.

5. Match the Texture to Their Sleeping Habits

Some dogs enjoy a little bedtime renovation: a few circles, some pawing and a thorough rearrangement before finally lying down.

For dogs who enjoy nuzzling, burrowing or gentle digging, a soft, fluffy surface can give them something comfortable to nestle into. A washable plush cover over a supportive mattress can combine that preferred texture with a stable base.

Watch what your dog actually does with the material.

There is a difference between gentle nesting and ripping open a bed to eat the contents. Avoid long fibres, loose threads or easily detached pieces if your dog pulls at and swallows them.

A heavy digger may do better with a tightly woven, durable cover than delicate faux fur.

Temperature matters too. A thick-coated dog in a warm room may prefer a flatter, less insulating surface. VCA recommends considering heat retention when choosing bedding for dogs with mobility problems, particularly in warmer climates.

6. Be Honest About How Dirty Your Dog Gets

Some dogs stay impressively clean. Others return from a short walk looking as though they have inspected the drainage system.

For muddy dogs, swimmers, puppies and dogs with urinary accidents, easy cleaning should be a buying priority.

Choose a removable, washable outer cover

Slip-on or zip-off covers let you clean the sleeping surface without wrestling the entire mattress into a washing machine.

Check that the cover:

• Comes off and goes back on easily.

• Fits your washing machine.

• Can be cleaned according to practical care instructions.

• Dries thoroughly.

• Has fastenings your dog cannot easily chew.

A spare cover is useful while the first one is being washed.

Protect the mattress with a waterproof liner

A waterproof inner liner helps keep water, urine and other spills away from the foam or filling. A comfortable washable outer cover can sit over it.

For a dog who regularly arrives wet or muddy, this combination is often more practical than a plush bed with an unprotected centre.

Check what “waterproof” applies to. It may describe only part of the bed, and water-resistant fabric may not withstand soaking. Seams, zips, wear and damage can also affect protection.

Waterproofing protects the mattress; it does not mean your dog should lie on a wet surface. Change soiled bedding promptly and dry your dog after swimming or a wet walk.

Vacuum or brush away hair and dirt, wash according to the manufacturer’s instructions and let everything dry fully before reassembling. Avoid assuming the foam can go into the washing machine just because the cover can.

Which Bed Features Suit Your Dog?

Your dog’s needs	Features to prioritise	What to watch for
Puppy	Accessible design, washable cover, protected mattress	Chewed seams, exposed stuffing and rapid growth
Healthy, lightweight adult	Comfortable padding and their preferred shape	Filling that becomes lumpy or flattened
Large or heavy dog	Resilient mattress with adequate depth and space	Hips or elbows compressing the bed almost to the floor
Arthritis or reduced mobility	Supportive cushioning, low entrance, non-slip base	Sinking, slipping or difficulty standing
Nervous dog who likes hiding	Ventilated cave or sheltered bed with free access	Reluctance to enter or discomfort with enclosure
Dog who enjoys nuzzling and nesting	Washable plush surface over suitable support	Loose fibres, destructive digging or ingestion
Muddy dog or dog with accidents	Washable outer cover, waterproof liner, spare cover	Damp surfaces, damaged lining or persistently wet filling

These needs can overlap. An anxious senior dog may need both a sheltered sleeping area and an accessible, supportive mattress.

How to Check the Fit Before Buying

1. Measure your dog while comfortably stretched out. Check the usable sleeping area, not just the bed’s external dimensions. Thick bolsters reduce the space inside.

2. Allow room to change position. Your dog should be able to curl up, lie on their side and stretch their legs without being wedged in.

3. Check the entrance. Consider whether your dog can step in easily today and whether changing mobility could make the design unsuitable.

4. Choose the location. Provide a comfortable temperature and a place to rest undisturbed. Some dogs also appreciate a second resting spot near the family.

5. Watch them use it. Willing use, relaxed sleep and comfortable movement matter more than the product description. The RSPCA recommends providing enough room for natural sleeping positions and considering different bed options.

When Is It More Than a Bed Problem?

If your dog rejects a bed, consider its location, temperature, texture, size and stability.

But do not keep buying new beds while overlooking a change in health.

Book a veterinary appointment if your dog develops stiffness, limping, difficulty lying down or rising, or persistent restlessness. Pain, anxiety and other medical problems can affect sleep. New urine leakage or skin sores also need assessment.

Seek urgent veterinary care for a sudden inability to stand, severe pain or difficulty breathing. These are not problems to manage by changing bedding.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying for appearance alone. Check support, access and washability before colour.

• Assuming softer always means more comfortable. Excessive sinking can make movement difficult.

• Choosing a cave simply because a dog is anxious. Their preference for cover or visibility matters.

• Confusing washable with waterproof. A washable cover may still let liquid soak into the mattress.

• Keeping a worn-out bed. Flattened filling, torn fabric and persistent dampness are reasons to repair or replace it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is memory foam necessary for every dog?

No. Healthy dogs may be comfortable on other well-padded beds. Memory foam is worth considering when a dog needs more consistent support, particularly with greater body weight or joint disease.

Are fluffy beds good for dogs?

They can suit dogs who enjoy soft textures and nuzzling. Check that the bed also provides enough support, stays at a comfortable temperature and does not shed material your dog may swallow.

Are covered beds best for anxious dogs?

They can help dogs who enjoy a sheltered retreat, but some dogs prefer an open view. Let your dog choose, keep the entrance clear and seek help for ongoing anxiety.

How often should I wash my dog’s bed?

Clean it according to how quickly it becomes dirty and the manufacturer’s instructions. Remove wet or soiled bedding promptly. Dogs with skin disease, incontinence or heavy outdoor exposure may need more frequent cleaning and a specific plan from their vet.

The right bed supports your dog’s body, suits their habits and is manageable to keep clean. Watch how they settle, turn and stand, then adjust the setup as their needs change.

For more practical guidance on your dog’s comfort and wellbeing, explore ASK A VET™. If sleep or mobility has changed, speak with your vet so the bed forms part of a plan that addresses the cause.