Want to give your dog a comfy place to sleep that isn’t your couch, your bed, or the cold floor? A quality dog bed makes a huge difference to comfort, cleanliness, and behaviour — especially for dogs that nap often, shed heavily, or love to sprawl.
But don’t grab the first bed you see. The best dog bed is the one that suits your dog’s sleeping style, size, age, and habits (including chewing). Use the tips below to choose a bed your dog will actually use — and that will still look good after months of real-life wear.
10 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Dog Bed
1. Choose the Location First
Before you buy anything, decide where the bed will live. Will it sit next to the couch, in a quiet corner of the bedroom, or near the back door? Picking the location first helps you avoid buying a bed that’s too big for the space or one that looks awkward in the room.
2. Measure Your Dog Properly
Measure your dog from nose to tail while they’re lying down in their natural sleep position (curled up or stretched out). This gives you a more realistic size than measuring them while standing. If your dog is heavier or older, aim for extra thickness and support.
3. Match the Bed Shape to How Your Dog Sleeps
- Curlers usually love round beds with raised edges.
- Stretchers often prefer longer, flatter beds or lounger styles.
- Leaning dogs like bolsters or structured sides.
Choosing the right shape is one of the fastest ways to ensure your dog actually uses the bed.
4. Prioritise Support and Padding
A bed that’s too thin will compress quickly and feel like the floor. Look for a bed with enough depth to keep hips and joints off hard ground — especially for large breeds, seniors, or dogs with arthritis. If the bed will be used daily, thicker is usually better.
5. If Your Dog Chews, Buy for Chewing
If your dog has a history of chewing beds, don’t waste money on delicate fabrics. Choose tougher materials and reinforced seams, and remove temptations like dangling tags.
If chewing is a constant issue, this guide can help: how to stop dogs chewing their beds.
6. Pick a Fabric That’s Easy to Clean
Dogs bring in dirt, drool, fur, and mystery smells. A removable, washable cover is ideal. If the cover isn’t removable, the bed should at least be wipe-clean or easy to spot clean.
For busy homes, choose fabrics that don’t trap hair and don’t show every little mark.
7. Choose a Colour That Hides Fur
Hair contrast is real. Dark beds show white fur, light beds show dark fur. A colour close to your dog’s coat makes shedding less visible between washes. Neutral tones (grey, charcoal, taupe) tend to hide fur and blend into most interiors.
8. Consider Indoor vs Outdoor Use
If your dog lounges on the patio, near the pool, or in the yard, you’ll want a bed that can handle moisture, sunlight, and dirt. Outdoor-capable beds use more durable fabrics and won’t deteriorate as quickly as indoor-only options.
9. Don’t Ignore Washing Instructions
A bed might look great online, but if it’s painful to clean, you’ll regret it. Ideally, the cover should be removable and machine washable. If it’s spot-clean only, make sure the fabric is genuinely wipe-friendly.
10. If You Have Multiple Dogs, Avoid “One Bed Only”
If you’ve got more than one dog, buy one bed per dog (or at least enough beds that nobody feels the need to compete). A shortage of “good spots” can cause guarding, tension, and constant bed-stealing.
Quick Checklist Before You Buy
- Does it fit the space you chose?
- Does the size match your dog’s sleep style?
- Is it thick enough for daily comfort?
- Can you wash the cover easily?
- Is the fabric durable if your dog scratches or chews?
- Will it be used outdoors?
Final Thought
A great dog bed helps your dog rest better and helps you keep your home cleaner — while protecting your furniture from becoming the default nap zone. If you’re ready to upgrade your dog’s comfort, explore our dog bed collection for durable, easy-care options designed for real homes and real dogs.
If you’re training your dog to actually use their bed, this is worth reading next: how to get your dog sleeping on their bed.
