How to Choose a Pet Bed

A pet bed isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s where your dog or cat spends half their life, and the wrong one gets shredded, flattened, or ignored within a month. Get the size, fill, and washability right and you buy one bed instead of three.

Start with size — the mistake almost everyone makes

Most people buy a bed that’s too small because pets look cozy curled up in the store. But dogs and cats stretch out to cool off and shift positions all night. Measure your pet from nose to base of tail while they’re lying relaxed, then add 6 to 12 inches so they can fully extend without hanging off the edge.

If you’re between sizes, size up — especially for a puppy who’s still growing or a breed known to sprawl. A too-small bed is the number-one reason a pet abandons an otherwise good bed and goes back to the floor or your couch.

Match the style to how your pet sleeps

Watch your pet for a few nights. The way they settle tells you exactly which shape to buy — and buying against their instinct is why beds get ignored.

• Curlers & burrowers (many cats, small dogs, anxious pups): a donut or bolster bed with raised sides they can press against and tuck into. The wall gives a sense of security.
• Sprawlers & leaners (big dogs, hot sleepers): a flat mattress, mat, or open rectangle with low or no walls so they can stretch full-length.
• Senior or arthritic pets: a solid orthopedic memory-foam base — not loose polyfill, which bottoms out and offers no joint support.
• Chewers: a low-profile chew-resistant mat or a cot with a tough fabric deck; skip anything with tempting stuffing until the chewing phase passes.

Tip: cats almost always prefer a bed with sides and a spot up off the floor. If your cat ignores a flat cushion, a bolstered bed on a shelf or windowsill usually wins them over.

Fill and support: what’s actually inside

The fill decides comfort and lifespan. Cheap beds use loose polyester fiberfill that clumps and flattens fast — fine for a light cat, a poor choice for a 70-pound dog. Here’s how the common fills compare.

For orthopedic beds, look for foam thickness of at least 3 to 4 inches and a stated density — a genuine support foam won’t compress flat under your hand. Elevated cots (think Kuranda-style or Coolaroo mesh) keep pets off cold or hot floors and are nearly indestructible, which makes them a favorite for garages, porches, and heavy chewers.

Washability, materials, and where the bed will live

This is the feature that separates a bed you keep from one you throw out. Insist on a removable cover with a zipper that machine washes, and ideally a waterproof inner liner so accidents and drool don’t reach the foam. A bed you can’t wash becomes an odor problem no amount of spray fixes.

Then think about placement. An indoor bed can be plush chenille or fleece. A porch or mudroom bed should use a tough, water-resistant canvas or ripstop shell that shrugs off dirt. If your pet sheds heavily, keep a lint roller and a good furniture cleaner nearby, and stock a carpet stain remover for the inevitable accident. For homes where pet dander is a concern, pairing the bed with an air purifier makes a real difference to indoor air. In cold rooms, a heated pad or one of our electric blankets layered under a washable cover keeps older joints comfortable — just follow the manufacturer’s pet-safe instructions.

You’ll find the full range of beds, mats, and bolsters in pet supplies, and it’s worth refreshing bowls and feeding gear from the same pet department while you’re setting up a comfortable corner.

Pick by your pet

Frequently asked questions

Still deciding between a bolster and an orthopedic base for your dog? The staff at your local independent hardware store can show you the fill and covers in person — or ask us here and we’ll help you match the bed to your pet.