Your dog sleeps 12–14 hours a day. That’s more time than they spend doing anything else — more than walking, eating, playing, or staring at you while you eat dinner. The bed you choose isn’t a decoration. It’s the surface where your dog spends the majority of their life.
And yet, most people grab whatever’s on sale at the pet store, throw it in the corner, and wonder why it’s flat as a pancake within two months and the dog has moved to the couch.
I’ve tested beds across every category — orthopedic, bolster, flat mat, elevated, and crate pad — on dogs ranging from 10-pound terriers to 100-pound German Shepherds. Here’s what’s actually worth your money in 2026.
How Dogs Sleep (And Why It Matters for Bed Choice)
Dogs have distinct sleep positions, and each one tells you something about what kind of bed they’ll prefer.
The Curler
Dogs that curl into a ball want a bed with raised edges. The bolster provides a place to rest their head, a sense of enclosure, and warmth retention. If your dog curls up, a bolster bed or a nest-style bed will be their favorite.
The Sprawler
Dogs that stretch out flat on their side need surface area. A sprawling Labrador on a too-small bed will end up half on the floor. Measure your dog lying fully stretched and add four inches to each dimension. A flat mat, platform bed, or oversized orthopedic pad works best.
The Digger/Nester
Some dogs paw at their bed, bunch up blankets, and rearrange everything before lying down. These dogs do well with a cave-style bed, a bed with a loose blanket layer, or a bed with soft, moldable filling they can rearrange.
The Lean-Against
Dogs that sleep leaning against furniture or walls want a bed with at least one high bolster side. An L-shaped sofa-style bed gives them a surface to lean on while keeping their body on a supportive base.
Best Dog Beds by Category
Best Overall: Casper Dog Bed
Price: $100–$140 | Sizes: S, M, L, XL | Type: Bolster with memory foam
The Casper Dog Bed brings the same pressure-mapping foam technology from their human mattresses into a dog bed, and it works. The supportive foam base holds its shape without bottoming out, and the bolster edges are high enough to rest a head on without being claustrophobic.
What I like:
- The foam maintains its shape after months of daily use (I’ve been testing one for over a year)
- The microfiber cover is removable and machine washable
- Pressure-point relief is noticeably better than budget foam beds
- The bolster height is proportional to the bed size — well designed
What I don’t:
- Premium price point. This is a $100+ dog bed.
- The foam takes 24–48 hours to fully expand out of the box. It smells slightly chemical at first (off-gasses in a day).
- Only four sizes. Very large dogs (over 110 pounds) may find even the XL snug.
Best for: Dogs of any age and size who need a well-built, supportive bed that will last. The best one-bed-fits-most option.
Best Budget: Furhaven Plush Sofa Dog Bed
Price: $25–$50 | Sizes: S to Jumbo Plus | Type: Sofa-style with egg-crate foam
Furhaven dominates the budget dog bed market, and the Plush Sofa is their best offering. The egg-crate foam base provides decent support, the L-shaped bolster gives dogs a surface to lean against, and the price is hard to beat.
What I like:
- The size range is enormous — including Jumbo and Jumbo Plus for giant breeds
- The removable cover is machine washable
- The egg-crate foam is comfortable and provides basic pressure relief
- Under $50 for most sizes, and regularly on sale
What I don’t:
- The foam compresses noticeably after 6–8 months of heavy use. Plan to replace the foam insert or the entire bed annually.
- The bolster edges flatten faster than the base
- The fabric isn’t chew-resistant. If your dog is a chewer, look elsewhere.
Best for: Budget-conscious owners, multi-dog households, puppy stage (when you expect the bed to take some damage), guest beds.
Best for Chewers: K9 Ballistics Chew-Resistant Dog Bed
Price: $80–$130 | Sizes: S to XXL | Type: Flat pad with ripstop fabric
If your dog destroys beds, stop buying beds that can be destroyed. The K9 Ballistics uses a ripstop ballistic fabric that resists teeth, nails, and digging. It’s not truly indestructible (nothing is), but it survives abuse that would shred a standard bed in minutes.
What I like:
- The ripstop fabric has genuinely survived aggressive chewers in my testing
- The aluminum-plated YKK zipper is a small detail that matters — most bed zippers are the first failure point
- Available in flat pad, bolster, and crate pad configurations
- The fill is resilient CertiPUR-US foam
What I don’t:
- The fabric is functional, not plush. It doesn’t feel as soft as a standard bed cover.
- Premium price for what appears to be a simple bed (the engineering is in the fabric, not the appearance)
- Limited color options
Best for: Dogs that chew, dig, or scratch their beds. Dogs with separation anxiety that take frustration out on their bedding.
Best Elevated: Coolaroo Elevated Dog Bed
Price: $20–$40 | Sizes: S to XL | Type: Elevated cot-style
An elevated bed lifts your dog off the floor on a suspended fabric surface stretched over a frame. This design provides airflow underneath (keeping dogs cooler in summer), eliminates pressure points, and stays clean longer than floor beds.
What I like:
- Excellent airflow for dogs that run hot
- The HDPE fabric is mold, mite, and flea resistant
- Extremely easy to clean (hose it off)
- The steel frame is surprisingly durable for the price
- Great for outdoor use — porches, patios, camping
What I don’t:
- No cushioning beyond the suspended fabric. Dogs with joint issues need more support.
- Some dogs don’t like the slight movement/give of the fabric
- The legs can slide on hardwood floors (add rubber caps)
Best for: Hot climates, outdoor use, dogs that overheat, multi-dog households on a budget, dogs that prefer a firm sleeping surface.
Best Crate Pad: MidWest QuietTime Deluxe
Price: $15–$30 | Sizes: 22" to 54" (matches standard crate sizes) | Type: Flat crate pad
A crate pad needs to fit precisely inside the crate, survive being stood on, sat on, and occasionally chewed, and be easy to wash. The MidWest QuietTime checks all three boxes.
What I like:
- Sized specifically for MidWest crate dimensions, but fits most standard crates
- Synthetic fleece top is comfortable and insulating
- Machine washable (including the padding)
- Affordable enough to buy a backup
What I don’t:
- Not chew-proof. For crate chewers, consider the K9 Ballistics crate pad instead.
- The padding is thin — it’s comfort, not orthopedic support
- The non-slip bottom works on wire crate floors but can bunch on plastic crate floors
Best for: Standard crate setup, puppies, dogs that are comfortable in their crate and don’t chew their bedding.
Best for Large Breeds: Big Barker Sleek Orthopedic Bed
Price: $200–$300 | Sizes: L, XL, XXL (40" to 60") | Type: Orthopedic foam
Big Barker makes beds specifically for large and giant breeds, and they back their product with a 10-year warranty that the foam won’t flatten more than 10%. That’s a claim I haven’t seen from any other manufacturer.
What I like:
- American-made therapeutic foam that genuinely holds its shape
- 10-year, 90% shape retention warranty
- The foam density is calibrated for heavy dogs (70–150+ pounds)
- Microfiber cover is removable and washable
- Available with or without bolster (the Sleek model is headrest-only)
What I don’t:
- The price. $200–$300 is a lot for a dog bed. But over 10 years, it’s $20–$30 per year.
- Heavy. Moving this bed is a two-person job in the larger sizes.
- Only makes sense for large and giant breeds. Small and medium dogs don’t need (and won’t benefit from) this level of foam density.
Best for: Large breeds (70+ pounds), senior large dogs with joint concerns, anyone willing to invest in a bed that lasts a decade. For more on orthopedic options, see our dedicated orthopedic dog bed guide.
How to Choose the Right Size Dog Bed
Measure Your Dog, Not Your Floor
The most common mistake is buying a bed that fits your space rather than your dog. Here’s the correct method:
- Wait until your dog is sleeping in their favorite position (sprawled out, curled, etc.)
- Measure from nose tip to tail base and add 6–12 inches
- Measure from paw to paw at the widest point and add 6–12 inches
- Those are your minimum bed dimensions
Size Guidelines by Weight
These are starting points, not guarantees — body shape matters as much as weight:
- Under 25 lbs: Small (24" x 18" or similar)
- 25–50 lbs: Medium (36" x 27")
- 50–75 lbs: Large (42" x 30")
- 75–100 lbs: XL (48" x 36")
- 100+ lbs: XXL (54" x 36" or larger)
When in Doubt, Size Up
A bed that’s too big is just extra space. A bed that’s too small means your dog sleeps on the floor.
Dog Bed Maintenance
Washing
Choose beds with removable, machine-washable covers. Wash the cover every 2–4 weeks (or more often if your dog tracks in mud, swims, or has skin issues). Use a pet-safe detergent or fragrance-free laundry soap.
Replacing Fill
Foam degrades over time. Even quality beds lose support eventually. If you can see a permanent body impression in the foam, it’s time to replace the insert (if available) or the entire bed. Budget beds need replacement every 6–12 months. Quality beds last 3–5 years. Big Barker’s 10-year warranty is the exception.
Dealing With Odor
Dog beds absorb odor. Regular washing helps, but if the foam itself smells, it’s time to replace. Sprinkling baking soda on the bed, letting it sit for 30 minutes, and vacuuming it off can extend the time between washes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dogs actually need a bed?
Yes. Sleeping on hard floors puts pressure on joints, can cause calluses on elbows and hips, and doesn’t provide insulation from cold surfaces. Dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, or other joint conditions especially benefit from a supportive bed. Even healthy young dogs sleep better with cushioning.
How many beds does a dog need?
Most dogs do well with two: one in the main living area where the family spends time, and one in the bedroom or crate for nighttime. If your dog has favorite spots in multiple rooms, an additional bed isn’t excessive — it’s practical.
My dog won’t use their bed. What’s wrong?
Common reasons: the bed is too small, the bed is in the wrong location (dogs want to be near their family), the bed is too warm (especially for dogs with thick coats), or the bed smells unfamiliar. Try moving the bed to where your dog naturally sleeps and placing a worn t-shirt on it so it smells like you.
Should I get a heated dog bed?
Heated beds are useful for senior dogs with arthritis, dogs recovering from surgery, and small dogs in cold climates. Choose a thermostatically controlled option with an auto-shutoff. Don’t use heated beds for puppies (they can overheat), chewers (electrocution risk), or dogs that can’t move away from the heat on their own.
Is memory foam better than regular foam?
Memory foam conforms to your dog’s body shape and distributes weight more evenly, which reduces pressure points. Regular foam provides general cushioning but doesn’t contour. For young, healthy dogs, regular foam is fine. For senior dogs, large breeds, and dogs with joint issues, memory foam is worth the upgrade. See our orthopedic dog bed guide for more detail.
How do I stop my dog from chewing their bed?
Address the cause: boredom, anxiety, teething (puppies), or habit. Provide appropriate chew toys, increase exercise and mental enrichment, and consider a chew-resistant bed (K9 Ballistics) in the meantime. If the chewing is anxiety-related, see our dog anxiety guide.
Prices last updated February 2026. We use affiliate links — if you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Back to the Dog Gear hub for more tested recommendations.