Pets
Pet beds
8 kinds worth knowing, 13 picks, and what to check before you buy.
Most people shopping here are buying for a dog they know well: their own, a parent's, or a friend's new rescue. The beds that get used match how the animal already sleeps. A dog that sprawls on cool tile wants something different from a dog that burrows under blankets. Before you choose, picture where the bed will go and how the pet curls up. A plain dog bed with a washable cover suits most homes, and a cozy cave dog bed suits dogs that like to tuck in and hide. Cats get covered too: the K&H Window Bed and the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed are good picks for cats that like a lookout or travel often.
Kind 1 of 8
A good everyday dog bed
This is the standard cushion or bolstered bed that sits in the living room or bedroom. Round, raised-edge styles like the Donut Dog Bed suit dogs that curl up and like something to lean against. Flat, rectangular styles suit dogs that stretch out. Before you buy, measure the dog nose to tail while it's lying down and add some room. Check that the cover comes off and fits in a home washer. Also check that the base grips the floor so the bed doesn't slide around on hardwood.
Ultra-soft luxury plush pet bed
A sumptuously soft and inviting bed that provides ultimate comfort and adds a touch of elegance to any home decor.
Kind 2 of 8
Flat dog mattresses for sprawlers
A dog mattress is a flat pad with no raised sides. It fits inside a crate, the back of a vehicle, or a corner of the mudroom. It suits dogs that sleep stretched out and don't care about leaning on a bolster. Waterproof versions handle muddy paws, drool and time outdoors on a porch or deck. Check the thickness, whether the liner under the cover resists water, and whether the mattress will fit the crate or space you have in mind.
Durable waterproof outdoor pet mattress
A resilient bed designed to withstand outdoor elements and resist moisture, ideal for active or messy pets.
Kind 3 of 8
Raised cots for outdoors and warm floors
A dog cot is a fabric sling stretched over a frame, which keeps the dog up off the ground. It's popular for camping, cottages, decks and garages, and with dogs that run warm, since air moves underneath. Cots also rinse clean easily. Check that the frame height lets the dog step on comfortably, that the fabric is tight and tough enough for nails, and whether the cot breaks down flat for the car.
Elevated outdoor pet cot
Keeps pets cool and comfortable by lifting them off hot or cold surfaces, promoting air circulation underneath.
Kind 4 of 8
Memory foam beds that hold their shape
A memory foam dog bed uses dense foam that shapes itself to the dog's body and springs back more slowly than regular stuffing. Owners like that it doesn't go flat in one spot after a few months. It suits medium and large dogs, and any dog that spends long hours lying down. Ask whether the whole core is foam or just a thin top layer over filler. Check how thick the core is, and look for a removable cover with a liner so the foam stays dry.
Contouring memory foam pet mattress
Offers superior pressure relief and body-conforming comfort, ideal for pets of all ages seeking deep relaxation.
Kind 5 of 8
Covered cave beds for burrowers
A cozy cave dog bed has a hood or flap that the dog can crawl under, a bit like a sleeping bag. Small breeds, short-coated dogs and pets that dig into couch blankets tend to take to it quickly. Many cats like them as well. Before you buy, check that the opening stays propped up so the pet can find the way in. Make sure it's sized so the pet can turn around inside, and check that the whole bed can go in the wash.
Cozy cave pet bed
Perfect for pets who love to burrow and feel secure, offering a private, enclosed sleeping space.
Kind 6 of 8
Large orthopedic beds for big dogs
Big dogs sink right through ordinary cushions and end up on the floor. A large orthopedic bed uses a thick, firm foam base that stays level under heavier breeds. The Big Barker Dog Bed and the PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed are both built for this. Measure the dog lying fully stretched out, check the foam depth, and make sure the bed fits the room. A large bed with bolsters takes up more floor space than most people expect.
Big Barker Dog Bed
A seven-inch foam bed for large dogs whose 48-by-30-inch footprint and opening rules demand planning.
PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed
A researched pet-household upgrade with clear fit, setup and exact-model checks.
Kind 7 of 8
Heated and self-warming beds
There are two kinds here. Plug-in heated beds have a built-in warming element, and self-warming beds use a reflective layer that bounces the pet's own body heat back. Both suit short-haired dogs, cats, older pets, and homes with a cold basement or draughty mudroom. For a plug-in bed, check the cord length, whether the cord has a protective wrap, and whether the cover comes off for washing. For a self-warming bed, check that the layer stays in place after washing.
Self-warming thermal pet bed
A cozy bed designed to reflect a pet's body heat, offering warmth and comfort during colder months.
Kind 8 of 8
Firm, supportive beds for any size
An orthopedic pet bed has a solid foam base instead of loose fill, so it stays even and doesn't clump over time. Small and medium dogs and cats can have one too, not just big breeds. It suits older pets, heavier pets, and pets that like to settle in one spot for hours. Check that the edge is low enough to step over easily, that the foam is a solid slab rather than shredded pieces, and that the cover has a non-slip bottom.
Orthopedic pet bed
This bed provides therapeutic comfort and joint support for senior pets or those recovering from injury.
How to choose pet beds as a gift
- Measure the pet lying down in its usual sleeping position, then size up rather than down.
- Watch how the pet sleeps now: curled pets like bolsters, sprawlers like flat mattresses, burrowers like caves.
- Choose a removable, machine-washable cover, because every pet bed gets dirty faster than expected.
- For a gift to someone else's pet, ask the owner quietly about size and where the bed will go.
- Think about the room: a non-slip base helps on hardwood, and a waterproof liner helps near doors.
Usually safe to skip
- Beds sized from a guess about the breed often end up too small, and the dog ignores them.
- Decorative beds with covers that can't be washed look nice at first but get retired quickly.
- Thin, loosely stuffed cushions flatten fast under medium and large dogs and stop getting used.
Questions people ask about pet beds
- What size dog bed should I buy?
- Measure the dog from nose to base of tail while it's lying down, then add some extra length and width. Dogs that sprawl need more room than dogs that curl up. If you're between two sizes, go with the larger one.
- Is a memory foam or orthopedic bed a good gift for an older dog?
- Many owners of older and larger dogs prefer firm foam beds, because the bed stays level and doesn't go flat. Look for a solid foam core, a low edge that's easy to step onto, and a washable cover.
- Do cats use pet beds?
- Many do, especially warm, covered or raised spots. Cave beds, self-warming beds and window-mounted beds tend to suit cats better than large flat cushions. Placing the bed somewhere the cat already naps helps it catch on.
Looking for one person in particular? Shop by person.
Everything else
All pet beds picks
Showing 1–13 of 13
K&H Window Bed
A folding suction-cup cat perch for smooth, correctly measured windows and cats that watch the world go by.
Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed
A researched pet-household upgrade with clear fit, setup and exact-model checks.
