Gone are the days when a dog bed meant an old blanket or towel scrunched up on the kitchen floor. But, like humans with mattresses, which one will suit your four-legged friend will depend on how they like to sleep.
Some dogs like burrowing down into a bed, while others like to sprawl all over a bed, possibly hanging off the end as they get some rest.
It’s worth thinking about how and where your dog sleeps before you start perusing beds. Next, think about how much your dog’s bed will need to be washed. If your pup is mud-averse, it’s likely the bed won’t be in and out of the washing machine too much.
On the other hand, if you’ve got a pup that likes to roll in anything it can find or even one that can’t resist jumping in any body of water, you’ll need a dog bed that has covers that’ll unzip completely, enabling you to wash them frequently without shrinkage or misshaping.
From indoor to outdoor to portable options, we’ve rounded up the very best dog beds on offer.
How we tested the best dog beds
While us humans checked the ethical and environmental credentials of the beds and washed the covers to test how easily they could be cleaned, it was our furry friends who had the hard job.
Our pack of testers were nothing if not rigorous – with a combined nap time of more than 1,000 hours, they put each bed on our list through its paces. Hucky, an 11-year-old black labrador, spent time resting his chin on edges; Bluebell, a six-year-old springer-labrador cross, sprawled out like a starfish; and Luna, an 11-month-old blonde labrador, tested the burrowing and manipulation properties of the beds. Keep reading to find out which ones got a firm paws up.
The best dog beds for 2024 are:
- Best dog bed overall – Ivy and Duke den bed: From £155, Ivyandduke.co.uk
- Best budget dog bed – JackWick Designs pet perch: £30, Jacwicksdesigns.co.uk
- Best dog bed for travelling – Slumbering Hound deluxe dog snuggle sack: £45, Slumberinghound.com
- Best dog bed for the garden – Pets at Home cool club raised air dog bed with UV canopy: £29, Petsathome.com
- Best bed for older dogs – Silentnight orthopaedic pet bed: £55.99, Amazon.co.uk
