Dogs have their own sleep habits, just like people. Additionally, selecting the ideal bed might be a daunting task due to the hundreds of options available. Would it be possible for dogs to take an online test like the ones for humans? “Are you a side-sleeper? A splooter? A curler? Which would you rather have: a king-size human bed where you still occupy the entire room, or a cozy mud hole?
Trial and error and occasional returns may still be a part of the bed-shopping process, even if you already know your dog’s preferred sleeping position. We’ve looked into and tried dozens of fantastic solutions for picky pups of all kinds to get you started. Unfortunately, you might not be able to accommodate your dog if all they want to do is lie in your bed.
An affordable, comfortable couch-style bed that’s easy to spot-clean
A portable bed for camping, picnics, and day trips
FurHaven Velvet Waves Perfect Comfort Sofa
For most dogs, the FurHaven Velvet Waves Perfect Comfort Sofa is a great option because of its soft, cozy cushion, cover that is easy to clean, and reasonable pricing. We tested the memory-foam version (the company also sells two varieties of so-called orthopedic foam and a bed with cooling gel foam). In addition to an optional water-resistant mattress liner, you can purchase a replacement cover or foam insert.
Most canines can enter and exit because to its accessible design. This FurHaven model is a sofa-style bed with a front opening that is a few inches lower than the other three sides (the size you choose will determine the precise height). For puppies or mature dogs who might struggle to climb over towering bolsters, this style is therefore more accessible. Dr. Barbro Filliquist stated, “We don’t want a high edge on it if it hurts to lift up your leg and kind of flex all your joints.”
The supporting foam adapts to the contour of your dog. In the memory-foam version we tried, a layer of viscoelastic foam (PDF) is placed on top of a whole slab of so-called orthopedic foam, which serves as a support base and is meant to conform to the shape of the dog. The Jumbo size, which contains 4 inches of foam (as opposed to the lower sizes’ 3 inches), was very pleasant when I was reclining on the bed. The mattress wasn’t too rigid; it was supportive but yet had a fair bit of give. CertiPUR-US, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the foam industry that conducts tests for common chemicals and ozone depleters that can deteriorate indoor air quality and endanger human health, has certified the foam insert.
The cover is easy to clean and is soft. It was one of the most easily spot-cleanable beds we examined, and the 100% polyester cover felt soft. Dried mud and fake vomit fell off the fibers with a few swipes of a wet sponge, and the white faux fur in the mattress part made it easy to notice when it was clean. The material didn’t mat or clump together like some of the other fuzzy beds we tested, and it still looked fantastic after three cycles in the washer and dryer.
It’s easy to assemble. The mattress, bolster, and cover of this FurHaven bed are delivered compacted. The mattress foam took a few days to fully expand, but assembly was simple. The cover material is floppy and loose, so when you zip it shut, you have to hold it taut to keep it in place.
Stunning Suede Bagel Dog Mattress
Since 2017, the Majestic Suede Bagel Dog Bed has been popular because of its cozy form, sturdy cover, and overstuffed interior. The Bagel Dog Bed includes a water-resistant bottom that prevents liquids from leaking onto the floor, is machine-washable, and is available in four sizes.
A dog’s natural desire to nest may be satiated by the warm form. “You see them curling up and sometimes even fluffing it up with their paws, trying to rearrange the nest,” Dr. Leticia Fanucchi explained of cuddlers and other doughnut-shaped bolstered beds like this Majestic type, which “mimic that dirt hole that [dogs] used to have before they were inside homes.” According to both Fanucchi and Dr. Filliquist, this form is ideal for dogs who prefer to sleep curled up in a ball. This is another habit that dogs had before they had access to indoor heating, and it helps them regulate their body temperature. However, the Bagel Dog Bed can also support alternative sleeping positions if you obtain the proper size. Dave would sprawl out with his head hanging off the bolster on warmer days, but on colder nights, he would curl up with his shoulders and back against the bolsters.
To make room for digging and settlement, it is overcrowded. Compared to other doughnut-style beds, the bolster and polyester-fiberfill insert are overstuffed. This is because, according to Matthew Ziemnicki, sales manager for Majestic Pet Products, “it goes down to the level it should be within a couple of weeks after the nesting starts happening.” Dogs can prepare their sleeping area without causing damage to the insert because the polyfill is sufficiently flexible for them to dig about in.
Orvis ToughChew Lounger Dog Bed RecoveryZone
The Orvis RecoveryZone ToughChew Lounger Dog Bed features a sturdy guarantee, a comfy foam blend, and a cover that resists damage. We used regular cloth to test the ToughChew Lounger and Orvis’s more expensive reinforced RecoveryZone Couch Dog Bed. In almost every test we conducted, both beds received high ratings. Orvis’s regular-upholstery lounger is equally as good as the ToughChew version, but it costs less if your dog isn’t a huge chewer.
This bed feels fantastic thanks to two kinds of foam. In our tests, the foam’s two layers provided the ideal balance of support and softness. In several testing, the 4-inch base prevented us from sinking through to the floor, and the top layer fit both Dave’s and my bodies. According to Brandon Jorgensen, senior product designer at Orvis, the top layer is a proprietary foam that “shares a lot of the same properties as memory foam … but it doesn’t hold heat the way memory foam will, or cold.” I can state that the RecoveryZone beds were the most comfortable dog beds I’ve ever experienced, even though we didn’t test for temperature regulation.
The cover conceals fur and is long-lasting and comfortable. The weave used in our RecoveryZone dog bed covers is intended to conceal dirt and fur. Although the covers in our tests didn’t look perfect after a few weeks of dog fur accumulation, they still looked better than many of the other mattresses we tested. Orvis’s ToughChew Guarantee supports the ToughChew cover’s additional ripstop-nylon layer, which is affixed to the underside and is designed to withstand chewing, digging, and punctures. Both types of the cover survived our meat shredders and garden claws, and the normal cloth is still strong enough for frequent usage. However, the ToughChew fabric can be worth the extra money if your dog is especially destructive.
It’s obvious that the details have been considered. The sturdy, smooth zipper of the ToughChew and regular RecoveryZone coverings tucks away nicely, protecting them from inquisitive dog tongues. Additionally, both beds feature two concealed, sleeve-like handles that make them portable and give dogs something else to chew on. Though we found the instructions particularly useful for assembling the couch bed, each model comes with comprehensive assembly instructions: A letter that corresponds to a location inside the cover is used to identify the mattress insert and the three bolsters. Because the inserts are protected by water-resistant liners, the foam underneath remained immaculate during our spill tests.
The company’s replacement policy is generous. All RecoveryZone beds are covered by Orvis’s Great Catch Guarantee, which is available throughout the store and includes at least one free replacement in the event that your dog breaks the bed. If those fail to withstand your dog’s best (or worst) efforts, the ToughChew Guarantee goes one step further and entitles you to two replacements and a refund.
The Lay Lo Dog Bed
With numerous cover possibilities, including limited-edition partnerships with various designers and artists, the Lay Lo Dog Bed is a chic model. You can test the bed at home and return it if your dog rejects it according to the company’s generous 30-day “no questions asked” return policy.
Certain coverings are made from recyclable materials. In addition to using polyester knit for its covers, Lay Lo has begun using threads created from recycled materials that have earned GRS certification for its most recent designs. Many of the in-stock patterns might still contain yarn that isn’t certified because the company has stated that it could take six months to a year to completely transition to recycled materials. The recycled bottle-based red-and-white checkered design, which is not yet GRS certified, was put to the test. The green grid design, a typical polyester knit, was also put to the test.
A variety of designs are available. Terrazzo, houndstooth, and chevrons are among the more than two dozen cover styles available from Lay Lo. It also engages in limited-edition partnerships; singer-songwriter John Legend and fashion designer Joseph Altuzarra are two examples. You can purchase additional covers individually if you are drawn to more than one design.
Both setting it up and cleaning it are simple. One of the easiest mattresses we tried to build was the Lay Lo, which comes in three parts: a vacuum-packed mattress, a folded cover, and a leather handle cover. When we washed the cover, it was also one of the simplest models to strip (and redress).
The nonslip bottom is encircled by the zipper. Unlike the majority of the other beds we tried, this one has a three-sided zipper on the bottom that opens like a book, making it easier to access the mattress. Additionally, there is a tiny compartment to conceal the alluring, dangling pull tab. The sticky underside of the cover helps prevent the bed from slipping on bare flooring. Additionally, the mattress insert has a water-resistant fabric covering it, which helped to keep the foam underneath dry and clean during our liquid testing. If your dog has regular toilet accidents, the company’s extra waterproof liner can be an excellent choice.
Original Pet Cot by K&H
Since 2017, K&H’s Original Pet Cot has been a Wirecutter favorite for dogs who love to sleep outside or who run overheated. For a comfy place to rest, the mesh is sufficiently supportive and breathable.
It keeps pets cool and is excellent for outdoor use. The K&H hammock provides an excellent mix of springiness and durability. The interior portion is composed of a flexible mesh, while the outer edge, where the material attaches to the frame, is composed of a water-resistant heavy-denier fabric. In warm weather, this material’s ability to allow air to circulate from underneath may help keep your dog cool. Our digging and chewing tests revealed that both textiles were resilient; the mesh occasionally caught on the jagged, sharp edges of our meat shredders, but the material always rebounded and showed no signs of damage.
The Bed of Molly Mutt
The Molly Mutt Bed is a fitted mesh stuff bag and a customized duvet cover that you can fill with soft items you already have laying around. It’s not a bed at all. The business does sell a full bed with an insert filled with wool. However, we believe that the duvet system is a preferable option because it enables consumers to upcycle products that could otherwise wind up in a landfill, so reducing waste.
You are free to select your own insert. Almost anything soft can be stuffed inside the Molly Mutt cover, including a pile of old clothing, a used crib mattress, or even recoverable foam from a previous dog bed whose cover wore off. We stuffed a comforter, some old pillows, and some clothes we had been intending to give away inside the cover. We got a completely working dog bed (and additional storage space) in less than five minutes.
FurHaven Trail Pup Packable Pet Pillow
A straightforward, portable dog bed that’s perfect for backyard hangouts, camping trips, and picnics is the FurHaven Trail Pup Packable Pet Pillow. It looks like one layer of a sleeping bag, and cleaning stains is a snap because to its glossy exterior.
The slippery fabric is easy to clean and resistant to liquids. The fluid from our simulated puke and wet dirt tended to collect on the polyester outer layer of the Trail Pup bed, unlike most of the other mattresses we tested, making it simple to clean up with paper towels and a sponge. It took a little more effort from a wet toothbrush to remove the dried muck, but after a minute or two of scrubbing, there was no trace left. Even after a few days outside, the slick surface doesn’t hold onto grass, fur, or dirt. Additionally, if the bed becomes really messed up, you can simply throw it in the washer and dryer because there is no insert to remove.
It’s practically portable. The simplicity of this bed makes it adaptable. You may chuck it in the car or pack it in a backpack because it comes with its own stuff pouch. When the weather turns cold, the bed can be used as a blanket or a crate mat in addition to providing an excellent temperature barrier between your dog’s body and the ground.
