Things to Consider Before Buying a Dog Bed

Size

“It’s important to choose the right size bed, as getting it wrong can make a big difference when it comes to your dog’s warmth and comfort,” says Dr. Bernal. “A bed that’s too small may be cramped and uncomfortable, so if your dog is in-between sizes or still growing, size up.” She suggests measuring your dog from the tip of their nose to their tail to get the right fit. “Then measure from their shoulders to the floor. This measurement will tell you how wide the bed should be,” she suggests.

Sense of Security

“The bed becomes the dog’s safe space, an area they know is theirs and that they can retreat to for rest and relaxation,” Dr. Bernal explains. “This can be especially important if the dog’s bed is relocated, as they still know the bed is their secure place.” To that point, dog beds are very handy for traveling; if you can bring your dog bed along, it provides a familiar place for your dog to settle without the scent of home, adds Dr. Tory Waxman, co-founder and chief veterinary officer of Sundays for Dogs. For instance, if you are a regular camper or outdoor adventurer, the lightweight Ruffwear Dog Bed might be a great choice for you and your dog.

Your Dog’s Health Needs and Life Stage

“Orthopedic beds provide extra cushion for older dogs and dogs with arthritis,” says Dr. Waxman. “In addition to added comfort, these types of beds also provide a spring-like cushion that helps dogs rise from a sleeping position,” she explains. (Our favorite orthopedic dog bed pick is this Furhaven Dog Bed.) Similarly, beds with adequate amounts of padding are important for large breed dogs, who can scrape their elbows when they rise from hard surfaces, which can lead to scarring and even calluses, adds Dr. Andy Chiang, a veterinarian with RIFRUF. Have a puppy? Make sure your bed is resistant to chewing, digging, and accidents.

Your Dog’s Preferred Sleeping Position

“The position your dog prefers to sleep in will help determine the shape, filling, and kind of bed they’ll like best,” explains Dr. Bernal. She explains that some dogs like to burrow or sleep curled up and in that case, a basket bed or one with a bolster of some kind would be good. The raised sides also provide a little headrest for them to prop their head against if they prefer,” she adds. “And if your dog loves sprawling out while they sleep, a cushion, pillow, or mattress-style bed will be a better match. These types of beds don’t have any raised sides, so they give your dog more freedom to stretch out,” she says.

Ease of Cleaning

Dog beds that are machine washable or have washable covers will make your life infinitely easier, particularly if you have active dogs that like to play (and get dirty) outside, notes Dr. Chiang. Especially when it comes to accidents, you can spot clean or hand wash the insert and throw the cover in the wash. Our best budget pick, the MidWest Home Quiet Time Dog Crate Mat, is entirely machine washable and dryable.

How We Tested

We used insights from three different real-world tests to find the absolute best dog beds for your furry best friend. For each test, our real dogs tested 20 dog beds to determine which ranked the best for quality, comfort, size, and durability — and for the cooling test, cooling abilities.

• Setup: For each test, our dog parents set up the bed, placing any inserts inside the covers, and then assessed the overall design. Our team felt the material, and the density of the cushion. For cooling beds, we considered if the beds were actually cool to the touch, and for the orthopedic beds, we looked at how much support the beds provided. We also determined if the beds were too bulky or if they were portable (think backseat size for a road trip), and how accurate the sizing was, both for the dog and where the bed was intended to go (such as the crate bed, and if it actually fit in the crate).
• Durability: After letting our dogs use (and in some cases, abuse) these beds for two weeks, we assessed their durability. Was sticky peanut butter able to come out of the furry material with just one wash? Was there any sign of wear? How easy were the beds to clean?
• Evaluation: We looked at all of these qualities and gave each bed a rating on a scale of one to five. Then we chose our dog’s (and our) favorite beds for our list of the best dog beds.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Melanie Rud is a freelance beauty writer, editor, and expert living in Chicago. She’s also covered a great deal of pet content, such as portable dog water bottles, pet hair vacuums, and automatic feeders. Madison Yauger is an editor for PEOPLE who’s tested hundreds of lifestyle products across all categories. With a background in news and lifestyle journalism, she has a wide network of expert sources and a penchant for accuracy. For this story, they spoke to Danielle Bernal, DVM, a global veterinarian with Wellness Pet Company, Dr. Tory Waxman, co-founder and chief veterinary officer of Sundays for Dogs, and Dr. Andy Chiang, a veterinarian with RIFRUF. They also used insights from real-world tests on dog beds, evaluating each bed for comfort, support, and durability, and used these insights to determine the best dog beds of 2024.

What Is People Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.