Dog Beds: How to Match the Style and Size to the Way Your Dog Sleeps

Dogs spend a large part of the day asleep or resting, so the spot where they do it matters. A good bed gives your dog a place of their own, keeps them off a cold or hard floor, and can save your couch from a lot of fur. The wrong bed ends up ignored in a corner while your dog stretches out on the rug.

The trick is matching the bed to how your dog actually sleeps. A dog that curls into a tight ball wants something different from a dog that sprawls on its side, and an older dog may need firmer support than a puppy. This guide walks through the main bed styles, how to measure your dog, what to look for in foam and covers, and how to keep a bed clean.

Top Dog Beds

Start with how your dog sleeps

Watch your dog for a few days before you shop. Where do they nap, and what position do they choose? The answer points you to the right style.

Curlers sleep in a tight ball with their nose tucked in. They tend to like round donut beds or beds with a raised rim all the way around, which give them something to lean into.

Sprawlers stretch out flat on their side or back. They need a large, flat surface such as a mattress-style or pillow bed, with enough length for their legs.

Leaners like to rest their head on something, such as the arm of a couch or a pillow. Bolster and sofa-style beds, with raised sides, work well for them.

Diggers and nesters scratch and circle before they settle. A sturdy cover and a bed with loose blankets on top can give them something to arrange without tearing the bed apart.

How to measure your dog

Measure your dog while they are lying down in their usual sleeping position. Measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, then add several inches so they have room to shift. For a sprawler, measure from paw to paw while they are stretched out.

It helps to compare that number to the sleeping area of the bed, not the outside dimensions. Bolster beds have thick sides that take up space, so a bed listed as 36 inches may have a much smaller flat surface inside. When in doubt, go one size up, especially for a growing puppy or a dog that likes to stretch.

Main dog bed styles

Orthopedic and memory foam beds use a thick foam base that keeps the dog off the floor and spreads weight evenly. They are a common choice for large breeds, older dogs, and dogs that sleep for long stretches.

Bolster and sofa beds add raised cushions on three or four sides. They give dogs a pillow for their head and a sense of being enclosed.

Donut and calming beds are round with a high, soft rim and a fluffy surface. They suit small and medium dogs that curl up, and larger dogs that like to burrow.

Pillow and mattress beds are flat and simple. They are easy to move, easy to wash, and a good fit for crates or for dogs that sprawl.

Elevated cot beds lift the dog off the ground on a frame with a taut fabric top. Air flows underneath, which some owners like for warm weather or outdoor use.

Foam, fill, and support

The inside of the bed matters as much as the outside. Solid foam, whether memory foam or egg-crate foam, holds its shape and offers steady support. Look at the listed thickness; a heavier dog will sink through thin foam and end up on the floor. Fiber-filled beds are soft and cheaper, but the fill can clump and flatten over time.

For large and giant breeds, a thick, dense foam base is worth the extra cost. For small dogs, a soft donut or pillow bed is often enough.

Joint health and older dogs

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), osteoarthritis in dogs often starts at a young age and frequently goes undiagnosed. Dogs may shift how they stand and move to work around the discomfort, so signs can be easy to miss. If your dog is slow to get up, hesitant on stairs, or stiff after rest, talk to your veterinarian. A bed will not treat joint problems, but a supportive, easy-to-reach bed can make resting more comfortable while you follow your vet's advice.

For older dogs, look for a bed with a low entry side so they do not have to climb, a non-slip bottom so it does not slide when they step on it, and a waterproof liner in case of accidents.

Covers and cleaning

A removable, machine-washable cover is one of the most useful features a dog bed can have. Dog beds collect fur, dirt, and odors quickly, and being able to unzip the cover and toss it in the washer makes regular cleaning realistic. A waterproof liner between the cover and the foam protects the foam from spills and accidents, which is important because foam is hard to clean once it gets wet.

Vacuum the bed every week or so to pick up loose fur. Wash the cover every couple of weeks, or more often if your dog goes outdoors a lot. Check the care label before washing; some covers need cold water and air drying to avoid shrinking.

Orthopedic and foam beds

The Bedsure orthopedic bed pairs an egg-crate foam base with bolster sides and a washable cover, a solid all-around choice for large dogs.

At Target, the FurHaven orthopedic sofa bed has raised bolsters on three sides and comes in several sizes and colors.

The Bedsure SupportMax bed uses extra-thick foam, sized for large and extra-large dogs.

The EHEYCIGA memory foam bed includes a waterproof liner, a non-slip bottom, and a removable washable cover.

The WNPETHOME extra-large bed has an orthopedic base and is aimed at senior dogs.

Donut, bolster, and pillow beds

The Bedsure 30-inch donut bed has a raised rim and a soft surface for small and medium dogs that like to curl up.

The Bedfolks 36-inch donut bed brings the same round, fluffy style to larger dogs.

The Boots and Barkley cuddler bed is a simple, low-cost bolster bed with a rim on all sides.

The Vibrant Life tufted pillow bed at Walmart is a flat, 35 by 27 inch bed for dogs that sprawl or for use in a crate.

Where to put the bed

Dogs like to be near their people. A bed tucked in a far corner of a spare room may go unused, while the same bed in the living room gets daily use. Keep it away from drafts, heating vents, and direct sun that makes it too warm. Many households find it helps to have two beds: one in the main living area and one in the bedroom.

If your dog is not interested in a new bed at first, put a worn T-shirt or their favorite blanket on it, and reward them with a treat when they lie down there. Most dogs come around within a few days.

Chewers and outdoor dogs

If your dog chews, skip plush beds with loose stuffing and look for tough fabric covers with hidden zippers. Keep an eye on any bed a chewer uses, and remove it if pieces of foam or fill start to come loose. For outdoor use, choose a bed with water-resistant fabric or an elevated cot frame that dries quickly.

The short answer

Pick the style that matches how your dog sleeps: a donut bed for curlers, a flat pillow or mattress bed for sprawlers, and a bolster or sofa bed for dogs that like to lean. Measure your dog lying down and size up when in doubt. Choose thick foam for large or older dogs, a removable washable cover for every dog, and talk to your vet if you notice stiffness or trouble getting up.

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