The best dog beds, recommended by top animal experts

If you have a dog, you'll know that amongst walks, treats, toys and tummy rubs, one of their favourite pastimes is sleeping. On average, dogs sleep for 12 to 14 hours a day, with puppies and senior dogs averaging a sleep time of 18 hours up to a whopping 20 hours a day.

With so much time asleep, it's important that our dogs get the best bed so that when their heads are on the pillows, they feel comfortable and secure, so they can get quality rest. Having the right bed is essential for supporting your dog through a happy and healthy life, but with so many options on the market, how do you know which dog bed is best?

To help you work this out, we've got rid of the guesswork and spoken to three animal experts who gave their take on what to look out for (and avoid) when buying the best dog bed for your pooch. From the perfect puppy-proof bed to memory foam havens for your golden oldies, we’ve covered all bases with our expert lead recommendations of the best dog beds.

The best dog beds at a glance:

• Best overall dog bed: PetFusion Dog Bed, £109.99 at Amazon
• Best chew-proof dog bed: Bedsure Waterproof Dog Bed, £40.99 at Amazon
• Best dog bed for puppies: Vet Fleece Bedding, £18.73 at Wayfair
• Best orthopaedic dog bed: Silentnight Orthopedic Pet Bed, £85 at Argos
• Best anti-anxiety dog bed: Silentnight Donut Dog Bed, £40 at Boots
• Best durable dog bed: Topology Luxury Dog Bed, £110 at Omlet
• Best memory foam dog bed: JoyElf Memory Foam Dog Bed, £57.99 at Amazon
• Best dog bed for large dogs: Silentnight Airmax Pet Bed, £55 at Pets at Home
• Best travel dog bed: OneTigris Travel Dog Bed, £32.99 at Amazon

The best dog beds:

Best overall dog bed: PetFusion Dog Bed

Smart and sustainable

This bed speaks to all our expert’s recommendations. Prioritising superior comfort and ease of use, PetFusion Dog Bed works to improve your dog's health, mobility, and energy.

The Petfusion is great for all shapes and sizes, and larger beds can easily support larger dogs over 50kg. With a solid 10cm memory foam base and recycled polyfill support bolsters, the dog bed offers optimal support, while the removable, machine-washable cover ensures ease of use.

Best chew-proof dog bed: Bedsure Waterproof Dog Bed

Everything-proof

Our dog experts told us the danger of intestine bleeding if your dog is able to chew its bed and ingest the material. To help reduce this risk, they recommended this Besdure bed made with expert construction and thoughtful design. This dog bed promises to give even the most determined chewers a run for their money.

Designed with 10cm of cushioning microfiber and an ultra-soft, reversible design, the Bedsure Waterproof Dog Bed provides your dog with a warm, restful environment. It's also machine washable, water-resistant and made with durable, scratch-resistant material.

Best dog bed for puppies: Vet Fleece Bedding

Great for young dogs

Our dog experts recommend this non-toxic, non-irritant, medical-grade bedding for puppies and young dogs as it is affordable, versatile, and easy to clean. Made with a comforting deep pile, Vet Fleece Bedding retains heat, keeping your pet cosy.

Able to be cut to size, this versatile bedding is perfect for all breeds. Machine washable, it is ideal for puppy training and for use in a car or crate as your pooch grows up.

Best orthopaedic dog bed: Silentnight Orthopedic Pet Bed

Great for dog's bones and muscles

The Silentnight Orthopaedic Dog Bed comes in three sizes to suit dogs of all shapes and weights. It is made from several foam layers, which help to distribute weight evenly and takes the pressure off the dog's joints and bones.

The dog bed promises to soothe aches and pains and is covered in a durable outer fabric to withstand wear and tear, scratching and stains. The inside of the bed provides a lovely sleep environment for your pet, and the high sides help to keep your pet cosy and secure.

Best anti-anxiety dog bed: Silentnight Donut Dog Bed

For rest and reassurance

Offering optimal comfort, Silent Night Donut Dog Bed is made with vegan fabric and works to satisfy the natural nesting instincts of dogs for enhanced feelings of security and calm.

Perfect for anxiety-prone pets and new puppies, this 'donut' conforms to your pet’s body, soothing anxiety and improving sleep quality. Fully machine washable, this is a great option for a new puppy as soft fabric mimics the feeling of a mother’s fur, helping puppies to settle in.

Best durable dog bed: Topology Dog Bed

Style and comfort made to last

Topology's durable dog beds pair style with functionality and ease of use, enabling you to create a bespoke, restful haven for your four-legged friend. It is a fully customisable dog bed with a range of sizes, fabrics and style options.

Using supportive memory foam bases, the dog beds are made to support joints and provide the ultimate comfort. The dog beds also have zip-on covers which are easy to take off and machine washable to keep your dog bed sparkling clean.

Best memory foam dog bed: JoyElf Memory Foam Dog Bed

For long-lasting support

As recommended by our animal behaviourist, memory foam beds conform to your pet’s body. With a solid base and padded bolsters for added neck support, this dog bed and other memory foam beds prioritise your pet’s comfort and long-term health.

Working to provide the ultimate sleep experience for your pet, JoyElf Memory Foam Dog Bed pairs a durable memory foam base with soft fleece fabrics for added warmth and comfort. With a waterproof and machine-washable covering, this dog bed ensures easy maintenance.

Best dog bed for large dogs: Silentnight Airmax Pet Bed

Comfort for bigger canines

Silentnight's Airmax pet bed uses the same cutting-edge technology found in their human products, ensuring your pet's comfort is as good as your own. The outside of the bed is made with durable fabric, and inside, there is a soft teddy fleece lining.

The Airmax cushion inside the dog bed uses mesh fabric for optimal airflow, preventing your dog from overheating (particularly good for bigger and fluffier dogs). The bed's non-slip base adds stability, and the fully machine-washable design means that your dog's resting place can always be kept clean.

Best travel dog bed: OneTigris Travel Dog Bed

For the adventurer

Pairing comfort with portability, this dog bed is perfect for your adventure buddy. It delivers on our expert's recommendations of durability while also being waterproof and easily foldable.

Made with high-quality Oxford fabric and a polyester cotton filling, this travel dog bed is designed to keep your dog warm and comfortable, both indoors and out. Weighing just 20oz, this dog bed is compact and portable and can be wiped clean for easy maintenance.

Dog bed buyer's guide

Here's our buyer's guide to help you find the perfect bed for your pup, with insights and guidance from three top dog experts.

Our dog experts

Our experts are certified animal specialists with long, successful careers as veterinarians and animal behaviourists. They share their thoughts with us as to what makes the best dog bed for our four-legged friends.

A qualified vet nurse with over 30 years of experience in veterinary practice, Caroline Clark is an expert in the treatment and management of companion animals, including dogs. Caroline was a featured expert on Channel 4’s Embarrassing Pets and believes in working closely with pet owners to create bespoke solutions to manage and resolve behavioural problems.

Adem Fehmi is a certified dog behaviourist and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with dog owners to help them fully understand their furry friends. Adem offers one-to-one and group training sessions to manage and overcome any behavioural issues and is ultimately driven by a passion to help owners enjoy their dogs and dogs enjoy their humans!

A qualified vet, Johnny Mullins graduated from the Royal Veterinary College and now works in a UK veterinary practice treating hundreds of pets each week. Johnny works with pet owners to advise on the treatment and care of a range of health and wellbeing issues that affect their animals.

What should you look for when buying a dog bed?

Adem was straight to the point and advised us to leave our aesthetic dreams at the door; “anything that doesn’t tick all the relevant boxes for your dog should be disregarded, no matter how aesthetically pleasing it might be”.

The age and health of your dog are important factors to consider when finding the best dog bed for your pet. Caroline tells us that “a dog bed should be made of a comfortable material that supports and conforms to the dog’s body”, with Johnny adding that older dogs, or dogs with orthopaedic conditions, may benefit from orthopaedic beds as they can “work well in helping to manage the discomfort of your pet”.

Adem also stressed the importance of durability when it comes to finding the best dog beds; “a dog bed that doesn’t have durable fabric and cannot be washed easily is a no-no”.

What should you avoid when looking for a dog bed?

The height of your dog’s bed is also something to consider. Johnny suggests you “avoid getting a raised bed or a mattress that your pet needs to step up onto, especially for medium-giant breed dogs”. Caroline added, “older dogs with arthritic joints need to be able to get in and out without any effort, so look for lower beds if you own a golden oldie”.

Adem highlighted the safety concerns to think of when choosing a dog bed, especially if you have a puppy or your dog is a known chewer. “If you have a young dog or a dog that likes to chew, you should also avoid anything that can easily be chewed and ingested. Not only will replacing a bed be costly, but ingestion of fabric or other bed parts can also be a real health hazard to your dog”.

Which is the best dog bed?

Okay, so now we’ve covered what to look out for and what to avoid; which dog beds do our experts recommend?

Caroline recommends beds that give your dog room to stretch out, and Johnny gives his vote to “ground level, padded beds” that are suitable to “most breeds of dog”.

For puppies, Adem recommends ‘Vet Bed’ style bedding as it is inexpensive, can be easily washed and “and can be used in places like the boot of your car or provide padding in a dog crate when your puppy has moved on from this type of bedding”. Adem also recommended the Omlet Topology range, telling us, “they’re in the higher price bracket, but in my opinion, well worth the investment and have outlasted any other dog bed I have ever owned”.

What size dog bed should you choose?

Choosing the right-sized bed is important for your dog's comfort and well-being. Owners will know that dogs come in an array of shapes and sizes, and their sleeping habits can vary just as much. To ensure your dog can fully stretch, curl, and snuggle to their heart's content, take a moment to measure them from the tip of their nose to the base of their tail. Also, make sure your bed fits in a dog crate so they can travel well and feel secure.

Use this measurement and add a few extra inches to accommodate any unexpected sprawls or restless dreams during the night. Then buy a bed which is the length you have just worked out. A bed that provides ample room for movement and relaxation promotes better sleep and helps prevent joint strain, especially in larger breeds or those with specific health needs.

How to introduce your dog to a new bed

If you've just brought a new dog bed, then you might be worried that your four-legged friend will be anxious about their new resting place. Fear not, introducing your dog to its new sleeping sanctuary should be exciting. It just requires a dash of patience and some positive reinforcement.

To get started, place the bed in a familiar and cosy spot, ideally where your dog already likes to rest. Encourage exploration by offering treats, toys, or their favourite blanket on the bed. As your pup sniffs and investigates, give them praise to associate the new bed with joy and comfort.

To help create positive associations, consider placing a piece of clothing with your scent on the bed, further making it a safe and inviting space. Gradually, your dog will come to recognise the bed as their own.

When should you replace your dog's bed?

Just like our own mattresses, dog beds have a lifespan, and recognising when it's time to bid wave goodbye to your pup's beloved sleeping pad is essential for their continued well-being. Knowing when to switch out the bed involves keeping a watchful eye on the condition of the bed. If you notice flattened or lumpy padding that no longer provides the cushioning your dog needs, it's a clear sign that a replacement is due.

Lingering odours, even after a thorough wash, can indicate that the bed has absorbed more than its fair share of doggy dreams. Additionally, if your dog has outgrown the bed or if their health needs have changed, it might be time to explore a new bed that offers better support and comfort. Remember, a fresh and cosy bed ensures your dog gets the restorative sleep they deserve, contributing to their overall health and happiness.

Want to read more expert-recommended pet product round-ups? Check out our Pets page for a full list of recommendations, including our list of the best dog toys and the best dog treats, all recommended by dog experts.