The Different Types of Dog Beds

September 16, 2020
4 mins read

Whether you are adding a new dog to your family, or you’ve had the pleasure of your dog’s company for several years, finding the right dog bed for them is always important.

There are so many different types of dog beds available, it can be hard to know which one to choose. 

It may be that you know your dog’s favorite type of bed, but you want to give them another option, or you’re getting a brand new bed for the brand new puppy you are excited about, it always helps to know what your options are.

Below we’ll go through a few of the different types of dog bed.

The Different Types of Dog Beds

Plastic Dog Beds

These traditional types of dog beds have fallen out of favour in recent years, due them being quite uncomfortable, and also many people are trying to cut down on the amount of plastic they have within their homes.

These types of dog beds are made from a hard, rigid plastic, in a slightly oval shape, with a lowered side to allow entrance.

When purchased, these beds have no padding, and so will require you to line them with another dog bed, or blanket.

These beds have high sides, which can allow your dog to curl up, but the step into this type of bed can be more tricky for older dogs, or dogs with joint issues.

Plastic dog beds are very easy to clean, as they can easily be wiped or hosed down when they get dirty.

Doughnut Style Beds

These beds have become one of the most popular types in recent years. They work well as a bed for calming a dog as they are specifically designed with this purpose in mind.

Doughnut beds are exactly that, doughnut shaped. So they are round, with raised sides, and a lower portion in the middle for your dog to lie in.

These beds are usually made from very soft, comfortable material, which encourages your dog to curl and snuggle down. The raised sides and another layer of protection, the result being that these beds can really help lessen a dog’s anxiety.

Igloo Style Beds

Igloo style beds are also referred to as cave style beds, but both names are given to the same sort of bed.

These beds are another good bed for anxious dogs, or dogs that feel the cold easily. They are round at the bottom, with a portion of the bed coming over the top, in an igloo, or cave-like wya.

There is an entrance at the front which allows access for your dog, and once inside they can curl up and feel really protected from the outside world.

As these beds are covered almost all the way round, they are good for dogs that feel the cold, as the heat stays in them.

Igloo beds are also generally lined with a very soft material, to make them even more comfortable.

Bolster Dog Beds

These beds are like a soft version of the plastic beds we have already talked about.

They are usually an oval or square shape, with raised sides. However in direct contrast to the plastic beds, the bolster bed is made with a soft material that is very well padded.

These beds are another good one if you have a slightly anxious dog, or a dog that needs extra padding, for example slim breeds like sighthounds that need lots of soft padding to protect their thin skin.

Mattress Dog Beds

These are as they sound, a mattress made specifically for dogs. They can be either square or rectangular, and are a large flat mattress.  

These types of beds are really good for dogs who prefer to sleep completely stretched out, as they do not have the raised sides of the other types of bed we have discussed so far.

These types of beds are well padding, ensuring that your dog is kept off of the floor in a much more comfortable way.

They can also be bought with a memory foam interior, and when they have this are normally called orthopaedic beds. These beds are really useful for older dogs, who tend to have stiff joints, or any dogs who suffer with skeletal pain. 

The memory foam ensures all the pressure is taken off of their joints and bony prominences, ensuring them some pain free rest.

Raised Dog Beds

Raised dog beds are most commonly used for dogs who like to sleep outside, as keeping them off of the ground keeps them away from the cold and damp floor.

However, these beds are also very useful for dogs who are very fluffy, or otherwise susceptible to the heat.

These beds, being raised off the floor allow air circulation underneath them, thereby keeping them cooler.

What Else Should You Look For In A Dog Bed?

A good dog bed should be easily washable, accidents happen, and dogs are well renowned for getting muddy or wet and then going to lie in their beds, so having a bed that is easily washable will be a real bonus.

If the filling of the bed is not able to be put in the washing machine, such as a memory foam filling, then it would be best to have a water resistant cover, again this can be removed and washed, and there’s little chance of the filling getting ruined.

Dog beds should be non-slip, allowing your dog to get in and out easily without having to worry about falling over, particularly older or infirm dogs.

Whichever dog bed you decide on, it should be big enough that your dog can curl up in, in the case of the beds with raised sides, without being squashed, but also without having lots of empty space around them.

In the case of the flat mattress type beds, your dog should be able to fully stretch out, without any of their limbs or head falling off of the bed. In both cases, your dog should also be able to stand up and turn around without coming outside of the bed itself.

I am a contributing author and co-founder of animalsanswers.com. Every now and then i find myself hooked to my laptop researching and trying to discover new species of animals.

Latest from Blog

Cane Rat (Thryonomyidae)

Cane rats are robust rodents with stocky bodies, small ears, and short tails; body covered with sharply pointed, but pliable, spiny hairs; broad, heavily built orange-colored chisel-shaped incisors, with the upper ones grooved longitudinally at the front. They will make habitats in grasslands and wooded savanna. What Do Cane Rats…

What Do Antbirds Eat?

Antbirds (Formicariidae) are small to medium-sized songbirds with short, rounded wings, a short or long tail, and a stout or slender bill slightly hooked at the tip, feed on insects on the ground or in trees or thickets; prey is usually gleaned from foliage, although some species also catch flying…

Where Do Mountain Beavers Live?

Mountain beavers do not hibernate and so are active throughout winter. They are primarily nocturnal but are frequently active for short periods during the day. Mountain Beaver Habitat Habitats used by mountain beavers vary, but are typically forests with dense patches of herbs and shrubs. This vegetation supplies not only…

What Do Pangolins Eat?

Pangolins love munching on bugs, especially ants and termites. They sniff out their insect feasts, and sometimes the big pangolins go for the larger bugs. What’s on the menu can change depending on what’s available or the time of year. What Do Pangolins Eat? Pangolins can be a bit choosy,…

Proper Nutrition for Pets

Pet care is a complicated topic, as it is challenging to come to a single opinion. However, most owners will agree that the choice of food has a substantial impact on the condition of cats and dogs. Since much depends on the correct determination of needs, it is worth paying…
");pageTracker._trackPageview();
Go toTop