Adults dogs spend around 12–14 hours sleeping each day, so you’ll want to ensure your pooch is as comfortable as can be for this all-important kip. Like mattresses for humans, the best dog beds are the ones that are right for your individual dog. So, we need to take a few factors into account.
The size of your dog is the obvious one – he needs plenty of space so as not to be forced to curl up to sleep and may benefit from one of the best large dog beds. How mucky is he? Some beautiful dog beds just might not suit his lifestyle – or yours – if they’re not easy to wash in a machine. Other dogs love to chew anything, particularly soft, down and furry things, so they’ll need a more robust fabric or you’ll end up with fluff and feathers all over your house – we’ve rounded up the best dog beds for chewers.
Some beds cater for special conditions, for instance if a dog suffers joint pain, he might appreciate one of the best orthopaedic beds, while a nervous dog might enjoy one with calming properties or a donut-shaped dog bed, or there might be occasions where you’ll benefit from one of the best waterproof dog beds.
And some dogs are particular on how and where they sleep. Some like a raised bed (which are also great for cooling in hot weather), some like to curl up in a tight ball, others sprawl. Whatever their personal preference, there’s bound to be a bed out there for every individual.
Best dog beds for every dog, scenario and setup
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
The Dog’s Bed Orthopaedic Heritage Collection: Best orthopaedic dog bed
Sizes: S–XXL, with corner options in some sizes | Colours: Blue/red, grey linen, grey plush, grey/black or grey/blue, black fur, black plush, brown plush, grey fur, brown or dark grey/black | RRP: From £47.99 |
This is a therapeutic, orthopaedic dog bed designed to provide relief and comfort to dogs with joint conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia, arthritis, osteochondritis and more. It is also billed as a “prudent preventative measure for younger dogs of breeds predisposed to joint conditions”.
It has a waterproof protective inner and durable outer, with the mattress made of high-stability memory foam. The covers can be removed and machine-washed, and there is a waterproof mattress protector to catch any accidents.
Bunty Stratus Heavy Duty Dog Bed: Best dog bed for chewers
Sizes: S–L | Colour: Grey/blue | RRP: From £29.99 |
This super hard-wearing and scratch-proof dog bed is made from a fully waterproof polyester fabric. While it looks plush, it is heavy-duty and should withstand most dogs’ chewing attempts.
Easy to clean, either with a wet cloth or in the washing machine.
Sizes: S/M or M/L | Colour: Grey | RRP: From £35 |
This calming doughnut shape appeals to your dog’s natural nesting instinct and helps create a calming environment, reducing anxiety.
The premium materials are specifically designed to give your dog the same level of comfort as Silentnight’s top-quality beds and pillows, made for humans. It is filled with responsive fibres that support your pet while he snoozes.
It is machine-washable and finished with a non-slip base and covered in a super-soft plus fabric to provide the ultimate comfort.
Sizes: XS, S, M, L | Colour: Grey | RRP: From £19.99 |
This hooded “cave” bed has a soft flannel fabric surface and is designed to provide a cosy protective atmosphere for peaceful sleep. Your pup can burrow under the cover, or rest his head on the bolstered sides. The bed provides orthopaedic support.
Bedsure Waterproof Dog Bed: Best waterproof dog bed
Sizes: M–XXL | Colours: Black, brown, green, grey or navy | Shape: Rectangle | RRP: From £29.99 |
This padded “waterproof” dog bed ticks loads of boxes. It’s orthopaedic, with a 10cm thick mattress filled with high-quality pet-safe fibres. You can wash the cushion and cover, and the water-repellent 100% Oxford fabric is soft and comfortable.
The tufting helps stop the filling from clumping and keeps it looking smart as it’s not easy to deform.
Strictly speaking, this is more water-repellent than fully waterproof. The water does bead if you sprinkle it on, but there is some absorption.
Sizes: S–XXL | Colours: Black, blue, green, orange or red | RRP: From £29.95 |
These “tough chew” dog beds are as rugged as they come – designed for “the digger, the active, the working, the dirty and the wild dog”. Reminiscent of a gym mat, the tough, heavy-duty fabric is odour and dirt repellent, waterproof and wipe-clean. You can even wash major stains with a jet wash.
For dogs that love to chew anything in sight, this should deter them.
But despite the rugged outside, it has a soft/medium density comfy filling. It is anti-fungal, and the fabric prevents dust mites and other pets from settling.
Sizes: 60cm or 90cm | Colours: Tweed | Fillings: Hollow fibre or European duck feather | RRP: From £120 |
One for the whippets, who love to cosy up in a cocoon! This luxuriously soft and cosy cave is stylish with tweed on the outside and sumptuously soft fleece on the inside. Ideal for sighthounds who like to get under the covers. Lined in a cosy sherpa fleece, your dog will be warm and comfortable with a choice of quality fibre of European duck feather as the stuffing.
For the warmer months, the “lid” of the cave can be removed as it is attached with poppers. The cover is machine washable.
Best Friends by Sheri: The Original Calming Donut Dog Bed
Sizes: S–XL | Colours: Frost, grey, mink, dusty rose, taupe or cotton candy | RRP: From £20 |
The Donut bed’s round shape is ideal for dogs that like to curl up. The raised rim is designed to create a sense of security and provides head and neck support, while the super soft filling offers joint and muscle pain relief.
It is cosy, finished with faux shag fur, which is meant to be reminiscent of the pet’s mother’s coat. It has deep crevices that encourage the dog to burrow and feel safe. Manufacturers claim that the premium CoziLoft fibres keep their shape three times long than other pet beds.
It has a water and dirt-resistant base, and all sizes but the small beds have removable shells which are machine-washable.
This elevated dog bed features an innovative design allowing the air to circulate which keeps your dog cool in summer and snug in winter, away from the cold floor, draughts and condensation.
It has a firm wooden base which provides a comfortable sleeping position and can offer much needed support for dogs with back and joint problems or those recovering from surgery.
The design is easy to clean, as the tightly woven fabric does not absorb moisture from the dog, and the quick-drying surface eliminates the build-up of bacteria, reducing odour and keeping your dog’s bed fresh.
Sizes: S–L | Colour: Blue/grey/white | RRP: From £29.99 |
The Y’ALL raised dog bed offers both comfort and cosiness. The moon-shaped cushion has an exterior surface made from 100% linen, with an interior fake fur fabric and a cotton filling to ensure great fluffiness and comfort.
The shape is designed to “wrap your furry pet in a warm embrace that can help calm and relieve anguish and stress”. The manufacturer claims it also has an orthopaedic relief effect to alleviate muscle and joint pain.
It has an anti-slip base and removable cover, which can be machine-washed.
Sizes: S–L | Colour: Range of prints | RRP: From £50 |
A fun, stylish and comfy bed that your dog will love to snuggle up in – and it looks great too. Featuring a tasteful floral print, this water-resistant bed is made from hardwearing canvas with warm padding for cold floors in winter.
The non-slip base means it stays put on any surface.
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Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.
