Choosing a Dog Bed: Your Sofa Would Like a Word

Buying a dog bed can become an unexpectedly involved exercise in interior design. There are tasteful fabrics, upholstered sides and cushions that look smarter than anything the humans own. Unfortunately, coordinating with the rug tells you very little about how well it will work for the dog.

The useful question is not which bed looks most luxurious, but which one suits your dog and your home. That means looking beyond the photograph: at the space inside, where it will go, how it washes and how easily your dog can use it.

Choose the dog bed’s location before shopping

Start by finding a suitable resting place, then check what will fit there. The RSPCA recommends a warm position away from draughts, with opportunities for dogs to rest quietly or relax near their family. Those are different needs, so one location may not meet both.

A living-room corner can provide company without putting the dog directly in everyone’s path. A separate quiet spot offers somewhere to withdraw when the room becomes busy. Neither needs to be elaborate, but both need enough floor space for the bed and easy access.

Check the location during ordinary household activity. A seemingly peaceful gap beside the kitchen cupboards may become a thoroughfare during cooking. A utility room may be quiet until the washing machine starts spinning. Look at the room in use, not just when it is empty.

Also check doors, direct sunshine and nearby heat sources. A draught-free spot should not become uncomfortably hot. Keep routes out of the resting area clear, so the dog can move away freely rather than being boxed in by furniture or household clutter.

Measure sleeping space, not the dog bed’s label

A size description such as medium or large is less useful than actual measurements. Check the bed’s external dimensions against your floor space, then look separately for the dimensions of the sleeping surface. Thick padded sides can occupy a substantial part of the footprint.

Observe your dog resting in several positions before choosing. A bed that accommodates a tightly curled dog may not allow the same dog to lie on their side with legs extended. The RSPCA advises choosing enough room for the dog’s range of natural sleeping positions.

Use a tape measure beside the dog while they are awake and relaxed, without disturbing their sleep. Note the space occupied when stretched out, rather than relying only on standing body length. If the listing gives no internal measurements, ask before ordering.

Shape matters alongside size. An open mattress leaves room for sprawling, while a bed with raised edges gives a curled-up sleeper something to nestle against. Neither shape is universally better, and a dog may use different styles at different times.

Before buying online, check the returns conditions and whether the cover, cushion and base are included. A photograph can make a generously furnished bed look like one item when some parts are sold separately.

Check how the whole dog bed washes

A washable cover is useful, but it is only part of the laundry story. Find out whether the inner cushion can also be cleaned, how the base should be treated and what drying method each component requires. Do this before the first muddy nap.

Read the care instructions for individual parts rather than assuming the entire bed can share a wash cycle. Some fillings cannot be machine washed; some covers need different handling from their inserts. A zip is not, by itself, permission to put everything in the drum.

Check capacity, too. A large cushion may exceed your machine’s limits or leave too little room to move during washing. Follow both the bed’s care label and the appliance instructions. A bed that requires facilities you cannot readily access may be impractical, however attractive it looks.

Remove loose hair before washing with a suitable vacuum attachment or fabric-safe hair-removal tool. Our guide to removing dog hair from upholstery covers useful approaches for fabric surfaces; check their suitability for your bed’s material first.

Make sure every washed component is fully dry before reassembling the bed. Thick padding can take longer than a cover, so plan where it will dry and provide another comfortable resting place meanwhile. A spare compatible cover can simplify laundry day, though it will not solve a wet inner cushion.