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A dog bed is an essential investment in your dog’s happiness and comfort. Dogs get attached to their beds, which helps them feel secure and cared for.
They also help a dog stay warm in cold weather and protect the joints of older dogs. Whatever type of dog you have, a high-quality dog bed will benefit your dog for years, and here are some of the best.
Best Friends by Sheri – The Original Calming Shag Donut Cuddler Dog Bed
Small dogs need a smaller bed, and many dog breeds are also prone to being more nervous and getting cold more quickly. The Original Calming Donut Cat and Dog Bed meets all the needs of a small dog, with a thick and comfortable bed that keeps dogs comfortable, both physically and emotionally.
Product Highlights
The Best Friends by Sheri The Original Calming Donut Cat and Dog Bed has a round shape with raised sides. It cradles a dog and helps them feel secure while also having a built-in pillow to support their head and neck. The soft center creates room for dogs to burrow in.
At the same time, the vegan shag fur cover is warm and cozy, reminiscent of their mother’s fur, which is comforting for young or nervous dogs. This dog bed is also easy to clean. The bottom is dirt- and water-resistant, and the small bed can be easily machine washed and dried.
This dog bed is made of non-toxic materials that are responsibly sourced and beautiful neutral colors that match any lifestyle. Featured in Forbes, Good Housekeeping, and the American Kennel Club, it’s also backed by a satisfaction guarantee.
The Good
The deep shape and soft cover of the Best Friends by Sheri The Original Calming Donut Cat and Dog Bed help dogs feel warm, safe, and comfortable. It’s filled with premium quality AirLOFT fibers and has a vegan faux fur cover that can soothe and calm nervous dogs.
Raised sides will provide support and comfort. It’s also water and stain-resistant, made of responsible, pet-safe materials, and easy to clean.
It has a high-quality, double overlocked stitch construction that helps it stand up to repeated washing and drying without getting lumpy or losing its shape.
The Bad
This dog bed doesn’t have a lot of padding in the very center of the “donut.” People who want to protect a dog from a hard or cold floor may want to choose a different bed or add more cushioning beneath this one.
Pros
- Designed with a shape and cover that helps calm and soothe dogs
- Bed is machine washable and dryable
- Made of responsibly sourced, non-toxic materials
- Satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Not heavily padded in the center
Furhaven Pet – Sofa-Style Dog Pillow Bed & Traditional Orthopedic Foam Mattress
Large breed dogs like a bed with room to stretch out and need head and neck support. The Furhaven Pet – Sofa-Style Dog Pillow Bed has a sofa shape that offers both spaciousness and support for large breeds. The open front makes it easy for older dogs to use the bed.
The combination of Sherpa fleece lining and textured bolsters is extra soft and comfortable. It has a supportive structure, with a cover that is removable and machine washable. It’s also available in a vast range of colors and patterns, so your dog’s sofa can complement your own.
Product Highlights
The sofa shape of the Furhaven Pet – Sofa-Style Dog Pillow Bed is an excellent choice for large breed dogs. It combines comfortable and supportive bolsters with a low, open structure that gives big dogs plenty of room to stretch out and sleep.
The high loft polyester fill provides lift and support for comfort to joints. It acts as insulation to keep joints warm. The sleep surface is covered with warm fleece, while the bolsters are covered with matching chenille. The cover is removable and machine washable for easy cleaning. It’s backed by a 90-day limited warranty.
The Good
The Furhaven Pet – Sofa-Style Dog Pillow Bed is an excellent choice for large breed dogs. It provides plenty of room to stretch out while still supporting the head and neck with bolsters. The open front makes it friendly for older dogs, with a thick fill for superb warmth, cushioning, and durability.
It is covered with soft, snuggly fabrics, and the cover is easily zipped open and removed for machine washing. This dog bed comes in various patterns and colors, matching any style, and is backed by a limited warranty.
The Bad
The polyester fill version of this dog bed is more pillow-like and less structured than the foam mattress versions; the polyester fill can sometimes shift and get lumpy. It may be better to get a foam fill version if you want a more structured dog sofa and more support for an older dog’s joints.
Pros
- Generous size
- Comfortable combination of soft dog bed and supportive bolsters
- Soft and warm fabrics
- Cover is removable and machine washable
- Available in a wide range of colors and patterns
- 90-day limited warranty
Cons
- Polyester fill isn’t as structured and supportive as other fill materials
MidWest Bolster Pet Bed
If your dog spends time in their crate, they need a comfy dog bed to provide extra warmth and cushioning beneath their bodies. The MidWest Bolster Pet Bed is sized and designed to make crates cozier and more comfortable.
Still, it can also be removed and used as a standalone dog bed. It has a padded bolster around the edge to provide head and neck support without taking up too much space in a crate.
The ultra-soft synthetic fur cover is warm and comfortable and can calm anxious dogs. It’s machine washable and dryer-friendly and backed by a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Product Highlights
The MidWest Bolster Pet Bed comes in sizes designed to fit perfectly in a crate, with a range of eight sizes for every crate and every dog. The comfortable padding and supportive bolsters make a crate into a warm and safe spot for dogs to sleep and rest.
At the same time, the synthetic fur cover can remind dogs of their mother’s fur, providing additional reassurance. The bed is available in five colors to match your style and can also be used as a standalone dog bed when your dog isn’t in their crate. It’s machine washable and dryable, so it’s easy to clean and has a one year warranty.
The Good
The MidWest Bolster Pet Bed is lightweight, foldable, portable, and designed to fit into a huge range of standard-sized dog crates. That makes it easy for dogs to feel safe, comfortable, and reassured, no matter where they are.
The polyester and cotton fill is soft and cushy, with quality stitched quilting, and the bolsters provide extra support. The synthetic fur material is also warm, comforting, and reassuring for young or nervous dogs.
This dog bed is easy to throw into the washer and dryer for fast and straightforward cleaning and comes in five attractive colors. It’s also backed by a 1-year warranty.
The Bad
The faux fur cover on this dog bed may shed loose fibers, perhaps depending on whether your dog likes to scratch or nest into their bed. The bed is not as high and cushy as some standalone dog beds because it is meant to fit easily into crates and carriers.
Pros
- Wide range of sizes specifically designed to fit popular dog crates and carriers
- Comfortable cushion with supportive bolsters
- Soft fabrics in a good choice of colors
- Machine washable and dryable
- One year warranty
Cons
- Not as thick and plush as many standalone dog beds
- May shed fibers
Sealy is famous for their mattresses. They have brought all their expertise and reputation for quality to the construction of this dog bed.
This is an exceptional quality therapeutic dog bed that dissipates heat from the sleeping surface, keeping dogs cool and comfortable. It has a four-layer construction that keeps dogs cool, promotes healthy circulation, eliminates pressure points, and even absorbs odors.
Product Highlights
The Sealy Lux Quad Layer Orthopedic Dog Bed with Cooling Gel is built with a quad element premium pad with four layers. It has a Pro-Charcoal HD foam base for sturdy support and odor absorption; a layer of bio-orthopedic foam that evenly distributed weight and pressure over the dog bed; then a layer of memory foam that gently conforms to your dog’s body for comfort and increases circulation; topped with a layer of cooling energy gel to dissipate heat and keep the bed cool and comfortable.
These layers form a sturdy, comfortable, cool surface that keeps dogs comfortable in hot climates and supports joint and bone health. The sturdy bolsters provide support for the dog’s head and neck, with a lowered entrance that makes it easy for dogs to use the bed.
The bed has a waterproof liner and non-slip bottom, so it stays in place. The cover comes in four attractive colors and can easily be removed, and machine washed.
The Good
The Sealy Lux Quad Layer Orthopedic Dog Bed with Cooling Gel has all the high-quality construction and durability of a Sealy human mattress. The multiple layers give structure and padding while also absorbing odors and creating a cooling layer that keeps dogs comfortable.
The smooth cover fabric also helps to dissipate heat and keep the bed cool. This is a dog bed of incredible quality, with the convenience of a water-resistant lining and a machine washable cover.
The Bad
This dog bed requires assembly on arrival, and some people feel that the instructions aren’t written very clearly. This dog bed is also costly, which can be frustrating if the dog doesn’t like or won’t use the bed.
Pros
- Four-layer cushion for support, health, and odor absorption with a cooling gel top layer
- Waterproof liner
- Non-skid bottom
- Machine washable cover
- High quality and durability
Cons
- Expensive
Furhaven Pet – Plush Orthopedic Sofa, Ergonomic Contour Mattress
Senior dogs have special needs in a dog bed. They may have trouble stepping over high sides, need extra padding and joint protection, or need additional support. Every older dog is a little different and has their own needs and preferences.
Furhaven Pet has so many ways to customize your dog bed to precisely the needs of a senior dog who needs more comfort and support. You can choose the best shape and size for your dog and select fills made of memory foam, orthopedic foam, or even cooling gel foam. There is also a vast range of cover color and pattern options, so you can get the perfect dog bed for your home and for your dog.
Product Highlights
The Furhaven Pet – Plush Orthopedic Sofa, Ergonomic Contour Mattress dog bed has bolsters filled with soft, comfortable, environmentally friendly recycled fibers. It is filled with medical-grade orthopedic foam that supports an older dog’s joints and relieves pressure points for a more restful sleep, while still allowing airflow that keeps the bed from getting too hot.
The foam is made in the USA and tested and certified by Certipur-US to meet content, emissions, and durability standards. The cover is a plush faux fur and suede fabric that looks as stylish as soft and comfortable for dogs.
The cover is also removable and machine washable for extra convenience. Furhaven dog beds come in six sizes and more than 20 cover colors and patterns, so it’s easy to find the perfect bed for your senior dog.
The Good
The Furhaven Pet – Plush Orthopedic Sofa, Ergonomic Contour Mattress gives you so many options to choose the perfect dog bed for a senior dog with special needs and delicate joints.
You can select the type of filling and foam that will give them the right amount of comfort and support and the optimal shape and size for your dog. It’s a high-quality dog bed with certified premium foam made in the USA and recycled fibers for the bolster.
There is a vast range of cover options, and the covers are removable and machine washable for cleanliness and convenience. It’s also backed by a limited 90-day warranty.
The Bad
This is not an exceptionally durable dog bed. If a big, heavy dog is sleeping on it a lot, the foam will eventually get crushed and be less supportive.
Pros
- Lots of padding and bolster options for the different needs of senior dogs
- Huge range of cover fabrics and colors
- Recycled fibers in the bolster, certified and USA-made foam cushioning
- 90-day limited warranty
Cons
- Not very durable
Buyer’s Guide
It can be hard to know what to look for in a dog bed with so many options. Here are some of the most important considerations.
Durability and Materials
Unfortunately, there are virtually no dog beds that are durable enough to stand up to a puppy or adult dog with a tendency to chew their bed. It’s practically impossible to make a dog bed that is soft and comfortable and also durable enough to withstand repeated chewing.
Before you get a dog bed, pay attention to your dog’s regular sleeping and playing behavior, and look for these signs:
- Does your dog chew? Is your dog a puppy, likely to grow out of the chewing phase, or an adult dog who chews when they are bored or anxious? If your dog chews, are they likely to chew on certain fabrics or textures and not others? If your dog chews, try to find a dog bed with a cover material that isn’t something they usually chew on. Make sure that any dog bed you choose is made of non-toxic and natural materials, inside and out
- Does your dog scratch? Some dogs like to scratch and turn a bit in bed before they settle in, which can be tough on a dog bed. If your dog scratches, look for a dog bed with a sturdy cover fabric and high-quality stitching. It’s also a good idea to choose a dog bed that has a replaceable cover, in case you need another one over time
The other durability consideration is the fill material. Like pillows, low-quality dog beds can get flat and lumpy over time, or foam can get crushed and less comfortable and supportive.
Dog beds in the lower price ranges tend to have lower-quality filler material that won’t last as long.
Ease of Cleaning
No matter what your dog’s age, there will be the occasional accident, and dog beds will also get covered in pet hair and other debris.
For ease of cleaning, look for a dog bed with a cover that can be machine washed and dried; many dog beds have covers that can be machine washed but need to be line-dried, which can take a long time and keep the dog from being able to use their bed in the meantime.
You may also want a dog bed with a waterproof or water-resistant liner and a stain-resistant fabric to make cleaning even easier.
Size
It’s essential to choose a dog bed that is the right size for your dog. If a bed is too small, the dog will spill over the edges and not get the benefit of the bed. If the bed is too big, the dog may not feel warm and secure in the bed. To find the right size dog bed, use a measuring tape to measure your dog while lying in their natural sleeping position.
For small dogs, choose a dog bed that is 4-6 inches longer than their body when they sleep. For large dogs, choose a bed that is 8-12 inches longer than their body.
Height
Usually, the height of a dog bed is a good indicator of the depth of the cushioning. Dogs that are older, overweight, underweight, or have medical conditions often need extra cushioning to reduce pain and pressure points on their body as they sleep.
However, these same dogs may have reduced mobility, making it difficult to step over a bolster or into a high bed. When choosing a more elevated dog bed, keep the dog’s mobility and agility in mind, and make sure it’s accessible and comfortable.
Final Verdict
Our top pick as the best dog bed of 2023 is the Best Friends by Sheri The Original Calming Donut Cat and Dog Bed. We love it for small dogs because it’s naturally warming and soothing; it comes in various sizes to fit even large breed dogs.
All dogs enjoy having a soft, safe bed to cuddle in. It’s made of safe, high-quality, non-toxic materials, with double overlocked stitching for durability, and is machine washable and dryable.
It has a water and dirt resistant bottom to keep accidents from getting onto your carpets and floors. This dog bed has been featured in a wide range of media and won multiple awards.
We also love that it’s made by a woman-owned and operated small American business. This is a great dog bed for young and old dogs, large and small, and it’s also beautiful and low maintenance. What’s not to love?
