Here at Animal Channel, we’re committed to making sure that you find and get only the best products for your pets.
When it comes to our pets, they’re like family. Considering how much people love their pets its no surprise that most dog owners spend lots of time and money to make sure that their pets are healthy and well cared for.
One of the most important purchases for both you and your dog is your dog bed. When thinking about buying a dog bed, it’s important to buy a bed that is good for both your dog and you. You want a dog bed that provides comfort and support for your dog, but that will also be easy to maintain/clean, durable (or indestructible), and that looks good. When thinking about a dog bed to purchase, there are a few key things that you want to consider:
- The right balance of comfort and support: your dog bed should provide a good balance of comfort and support. A bed that is too soft might be comfortable for a short period, but it could also lack the support your dog needs. Proper support for your dog relieves pressure points, promotes joint health, and improves alignment. For this, the material of the “mattress” itself is very important. In our experience, premium, CertiPUR-US memory foam provides the best balance of support and comfort for dogs – this human grade memory foam is used for orthopedic mattresses, mattress toppers, pillows, and more. It’s perfect for your dog too. Polyester/down alternative can be a bit too soft (and course) and might not conform to your dog’s body.
- Features and functionality: you might be wondering how many features a dog bed can really have, but trust us when we say that the details really do make a difference. There are small features that really add a lot to the experience and we found that the best dog beds paid attention to these details and other just did not. Here are some of our favorite features that we saw in dog beds:
- Anti-slip bottom: a lot of dog beds slip easily (especially across hardwood floors). We really liked dog beds that had rubber on the bottom to prevent slipping and sliding
- Covered/unexposed zipper: a lot of dogs like to drag their bed around the house and an exposed zipper can scratch your floors. It was great that some dog beds were designed so that the zipper was hidden/covered so that it didn’t damage the floor and so that your dog can’t chew it.
- Freshening pocket: our favorite dog beds included a dog-safe pocket to put an air freshener to combat some of the more unpleasant smells that dogs have – we honestly loved this feature and it really does help!
- Multiple layers of waterproof protection: even if your dog is potty trained, accidents happen, and when they do, you’ll want your dog’s bed to be protected. Dogs can chew through even the sturdiest fabrics – so it was encouraging to see that some brands included a waterproof liner to protect the inner core of the dog bed so that even if liquid gets through the cover, the more expensive (harder to wash) core was safe
- Durability: this is a big one, and in our opinion, is one of the main justifications for purchasing a slightly more expensive dog bed. While it is important to get a bed that is comfortable, provides support, and has a lot of features, the biggest thing is that you want to get a dog bed that will last you years (and not months) so you don’t have to keep buying a new bed every few months. While it is hard to tell how long the dog bed will last, make sure you read the reviews and pay attention to what people say about that. It is a good sign if the dog bed comes with a trial period (it shows the brand is confident that the bed will last). An indestructible dog bed is hard to find, and most determined pups will find a way to tear a bed, but some dog beds are much more durable than others.
- Aesthetic/appearance: you want a dog bed that looks good and fits in with your home. We found that a lot of dog beds are a bit too boring or too loud – make sure you pick something that will fit in your home (whether inside or outside).
Just like us, dogs love comfort and for that reason it’s important for dogs to have a dog bed that makes them feel safe, comfortable and well rested. With these factors in mind, we scoured the internet, gave them to our dogs to test, and came up with this list of the best dog beds on the market in 2021. So here is a list of the 10 best dog beds for your furry friend ranked by experts. Consider one of these amazing beds the next time you’re picking on out. Your dog will thank you for it!
1. Best Overall Dog Bed – The Crate & Kibble Cloud Bed
Medium – $200 | Large – $250
This is the cream of the crop, the crème de la crème. If you are looking for hands down the best dog bed for your furry friend, look no further. Our dog (Katsu) loved this bed the most by far. He couldn’t leave the bed and spent hours and hours using it. We’ve had it for a few months now and it it has definitely passed the ‘chew’ test.
It even comes with a 60 day risk free trial so that you can test the bed and see how you and your dog like it (and how it holds up).
What really made the difference for us on this bed for us is the attention to detail, durability, and aesthetic. You can really tell that this brand was started by dog owners.
What we like:
- Multi layered, premium CertiPUR-US orthopedic memory foam – they also included a cooling gel layer that keeps your pup cool (because memory foam can sleep hot)
- Reduces joint pain and anxiety
- Improves overall health
- A water resistant, chew resistant, machine washable cover that is still soft and also resists the scratching of dogs who like to dig
- Anti-slip bottom
- This bed was very durable – while a determined enough dog will be able to chew through almost anything, this bed was pretty resistant to our dog’s chewing and did not tear. It comes with a 60 day guarantee. It is as close to indestructible as you can find (without sacrificing comfort and functionality)
- Elevated bolsters that feel like a ‘den’ so your pup can curl up inside it and also rest its head on the sides. We found these bolsters to be sturdy as well. This bed has a great ‘calming‘ effect because of how the bolsters make the bed feel like a home
- It looks great – simple, clean, modern – and would look good in any living room / patio
What to watch out for:
- none
2. Best Couch Style Dog Bed – Orvis Dog Bed
Medium – $309 | Large – $349
This dog bed is a memory foam couch that your dog can lounge and sleep in. There are deep, removable cushions that create a supportive nook for your dog.
What we like:
- Orthopedic memory foam that supports joints and muscles
- Single piece (not chopped) memory foam
- Water-resistant liner to protector memory foam
- Quilted microfiber cover
What to watch out for:
- Expensive
- Not super low to the ground, so some dogs have trouble getting inside
- Some reviewers report the main pillow filling is a bit too thin
3. Best Memory Foam Bed (besides the Crate & Kibble one) – The Casper Dog Bed,
Medium – $134 | Large – $206
This dog bed will provide your dog’s entire body with support to eliminate pressure point aches and pains. While this is a solid bed, we didn’t see as many features in this bed (and also didn’t like the look as much) as the Crate & Kibble bed. That being said, it is still a solid dog bed that is comfortable.
What we like:
- The surface has extra material that gives dog’s the sensation of digging in the dirt as they circle to find their best resting position
- Maintains its shape due to its fortified construction
- Chew and water-resistant
What to watch out for:
- Not weather resistant
- Reviewers report that the cover is lower quality and pills easily
- Bolsters are a bit low, so our dog didn’t enjoy cuddling up in it as much
4. Best Polyester/Cotton Bed – PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed,
Medium – $119.99 | Large – $179.95
This is a fantastic dog bed that comes in different sizes and colors.
What we like:
- Constructed with solid CertiPUR-US orthopedic memory foam
- Breathable bed cover
- Built-in pillow
- Certified skin-contact safe
- Comes with a three-year warranty
What to watch out for:
- Somewhat expensive
- Users complain about the zipper breaking
- Users also state that the bed isn’t full waterproof
5. Pet Bed For Very Large Dogs – Big Barker
Large – $239 | Extra Large – $289.95
This 7-inch bed is made specifically for large to super large dog breeds.
What we like:
- Available in L, XL, and XXL
- Clinically proven to provide excellent support by the University of Pennsylvania
- 7-Inch thickness
- Built-in pillow
- Made in the US
- Easy to clean
What to watch out for:
- Not available for small to medium breeds
- Not dig proof
- Some reviewers claimed it was low quality and cheap
- Expensive
6. Best pet bed for smaller dogs – Cozy Cuddler
Small – $25
Here’s a dog bed for smaller breeds with an innovative design.
What we like:
- Works for both cats and dogs
- Machine washable
- Available in multiple colors
What to watch out for:
- This fabric has a tendency to absorb odors (according to reviews) and the material comes off and kind of gets everywhere
- According to reviews, it’s also easily flammable and can fall apart in the wash
7. Best Mat only for a Crate – MidWest Quiet Time Dog Crate Mat, $30
While not a dog bed per se, we felt it was important to include this mat in the list for dogs that spend any time in kennels.
What we like:
- Double bolster design that provides a bumper all the way around a kennel
- Comes in several different sizes
- Soft fleece material with a poly-fiber cushioned base
- Includes four elastic straps to keep it securely in place
What to watch out for:
- This product might not fit all dog kennels – check size to ensure it would cover the entire bottom of the kennel
- Unfortunately, some reviewers say it does ‘shed’ quite a bit and fluff can get everywhere
8. Best ‘Mat’ Style Bed – K9 Ballistics
Medium – $159 | Large – $209
For large dog breeds that have a problem with chewing, this is a great bed.
What we like:
- Chew, dig, and scratch proof
- Durable ripstop cover
- Made in the USA
- Comes with a 120-day chew resistant warranty
What to watch out for:
- No bolsters so it doesn’t have a spot for your dog to rest its head
- Some dogs do still chew threw the bed
9. Best Shaded Dog Bed – Floppy Dawg
Medium – $65 | Large – $75
Even outside dogs deserve to have a healthy and comfortable bed.
What we like:
- Made with breathable mesh for optimal airflow to keep your pooch cool throughout the day
- Comes with a shade canopy
- Constructed from 1680D Oxford fabric with a steel frame
- Lightweight and portable
What to watch out for:
- Does not have orthopedic support
- Best placed in an area of the yard that stays the coolest during the warmest hours of the day
- Canopy tends to rip easily
- Canopy openings are somewhat small and so dogs can have a hard time going in
Source: Spruce Pets, NBC, Photo by Jodie Louise from Pexels
