Last Updated: 12/06/2025
Looking for a comfy bed for your furry friend? Have a look at the top rated dog beds from Pet Circle
Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 38 minutes - long read
Is it time to update your dog's bedding situation or perhaps you have brought home a new pup? Every pooch needs somewhere to lay his or her head after a big day of playing and other important doggy duties.
Choosing the right dog bed is crucial for a pet's comfort, health, and well-being. A suitable bed provides a cozy place for dogs to rest and sleep, offers vital support for their joints and bones, and aids in temperature regulation. It also furnishes them with a sense of security by denoting a space that's specifically theirs. Furthermore, a proper dog bed helps prevent potential injuries from jumping onto elevated surfaces and protects home furniture from fur and potential damage. The 'right' bed varies for each dog, depending on their unique size, age, breed, and health conditions.
With plenty of options to choose between, from round dog beds to orthopaedic beds, there's something to suit the needs of your pet. Take a look through the different types of dog beds to see which one would suit your dog best.
Four reasons why it's important to choose the right dog bed are:
Our Vet team use their health and husbandry knowledge, along with their own personal and clinical experiences to evaluate each product and provide detailed, informative reviews, free of any commercial bias. We then collate this information into our 'best of' recommendations.
For a lot of dogs, a vast majority of their time is spent outdoors. There are a number of features to consider when selecting the best outdoor bed for your pooch. Elevated or raised dog beds like this Kazoo bed allows air to circulate underneath, keeping your dog cooler. Raised beds are also easier for some dogs to step on and off, such as older dogs or dogs suffering from arthritis. These dogs often struggle to get in and out of a bed with high sides, so an elevated bed can suit them better.
The Kazoo Daydream bed is perfect for the outdoors. It is waterproof and easy to maintain. The fabric is designed to be extra durable and the frame is rust resistant steel. Kazoo offers replacement covers as well as a soft fleece cover for extra cosiness if required.
For dogs who spend time outdoors no matter the weather, a kennel will protect them from the elements. Outdoor beds are easy to clean, and a great option for camping. Look for beds made with water resistant material and a durable frame.
What our customers say: "Great quality! Got the XL for a 4 month German shepherd. Really big and will last till she grows to full size. On top of that, very high quality frame and canvas."
Calming dog beds are soft, comfortable and secure. The T&S Polar bed features a round shape and high sides, to allow dogs to snuggle and hide away during times when they are feeling anxious. What also makes the T&S Polar bed great is that it is also easy to clean. The cover is removable and can be machine washed in cold water.
Just as in humans, stress and anxiety is very individual to a dog. They can suffer from thunderstorm and fireworks phobias, separation anxiety, even a fear of vacuums! Along with calming beds, anxiety aids such as Zylkene, Adaptil, Thundershirts and even calming peanut butter treats may help to soothe your dog. In more severe cases of anxiety, it is best to consult with your vet or positive-reinforcement trainer who will be able to work with you in applying some behavioural management techniques, and may prescribe some medications to assist. Learn more about how to calm an anxious pet.
What our customers say: "My dog loves this bed. A lot more padding than other calming beds I have tried. Toby absolutely loves it and sleeps very soundly. He is a rescue boy and used to have a lot of dreams that were unsettling. Now he only has one every now and then."
What our vets say: "The TS Products Polar Bed is a great addition to your home! It's soft, fluffy and stylish; great for your pet to snuggle in and keep warm through the warmer months. The removable, machine washable cover is great for keeping it clean and preventing that doggy smell, especially if you've got dogs like mine that love to play in the mud or roll in putrid smells." - Dr. Brittany
Orthopaedic or memory foam dog beds offer excellent support for dogs. They are especially beneficial for older dogs, or those with arthritis. Memory foam is designed to adapt and mould through the pressure and heat of your dog's body. This allows the bed to cushion and support their body evenly. Some memory foam beds also offer a heating element, to soothe arthritic joints and muscles through the colder months. These beds are designed for use indoors only.
An important feature to look for in an orthopaedic bed is a removable cover. Memory foam should not be washed, as it can be damaged and difficult to dry out properly. This Kazoo Wombat dog bed includes a cover that can be removed and machine washed to maintain cleanliness.
For more information on ways to support your dog's mobility, take a look at Arthritis Care for Dogs.
What our customers say: "Supportive for my old girl. Brought this bed late Friday night for my 14 year old Maltese who is suffering with Arthritis Order was picked and packed Saturday and delivered Sunday. Zena loves it. She settles so quickly and not long till she goes to sleep."
What our vets say: "This premium dog bed has a luxurious suede fabric perfect to keep your dog cosy and warm. The high density memory foam will ensure your pooch is supported and comforted with bolstered edges to offer a sense of security. Another great benefit is its removable cover which is machine washable to help simplify cleaning." - Dr. Angie
This All For Paws Chill Out cooling mat contains a special, non-toxic gel that helps to cool your dog's skin when it comes into contact with the mat. No refrigeration or water required. It can offer a cool respite for 3 hours on a warm summer's day.
Cooling dog beds are a great way to keep your dog comfortable in warm weather. Cooling beds work either by allowing a greater amount of airflow through the bed, which convects heat away from your dog, or via a cooling gel filling, which transfers heat away from their body. Elevated beds also serve this purpose. Some cooling beds, like the Paws for Life All Seasons Bed also offer a reversible function - one side cools your dog, while the other side is plush and cosy for Winter!
Overweight dogs, those with thick double coats and those with certain conformations (such as flat-faced breeds like the Pug) can be more susceptible to the effects of warm weather, and are more likely to experience heat stroke. Along with cooling beds, it is important to avoid exercising them in the heat of the day, ensure that they are never left alone in the car and ensure that they have fresh water and shelter readily available at all times.
What our customers say: "This cooling mat is amazing! My 15 year old King Charles Cavalier struggles with the heat. This has helped him immensely. It truly does work!"
The Petlife Self Warm Cuddle bed is made with an ultra-soft fleecy cover and self-warming material which traps your dog's body heat and reflects it back to them. It is great to keep your pet warm without the use of external heat sources. Older pets and those with joint pain can benefit from these types of bedding.
Heated dog beds work in 2 different ways. They either have an internal heating element, similar to an electric blanket, or they are self-warming, using a dog's body heat to warm the bed. It's important to use care and caution with heated dog beds. Beds with an internal heating system and electrical cord should only be used indoors, and it is important to check the cord and connections regularly and stop using them if there is any damage. Dogs with mobility issues, or who are sick or injured should be supervised closely if using a heated bed, as they may find it difficult to move if they become too warm. Self-warming beds do not use electrical heating.
This Petlife cuddle bed is extra cosy with its fleece cover and bolstered edges to make them feel secure. The bed can be put into your washing machine for an easy clean with cold water. Unfortunately there is only one size available - small. This makes it suitable for small breed dogs such as the Chihuahua and Maltese. Cats may also use this bed.
What our customers say: "This is the second time I've purchased one of these beds. Ollie, our now senior maltese cross has slept in one for 7 years. Daisy, is our newest maltese cross puppy who loves it. I think the sizing is perfect for the breed recommendation in the description. Any bigger and the bed would lose some of it's warm hug appeal. Highly recommend this bed over any others. "
What our vets say: "Self-warming beds are safe to use and do not require electricity, which can help reduce the overall cost of your energy bill. Unlike beds which use active heating, you can simply place the self-warming bed down and walk away without needing to monitor during use. These beds contain a heat reflecting layer inside to convey your petâs own body heat back to them and insulating fabric to trap the warmth. The Petlife Cuddle Bed also comes with a fleece cover and bolstered sides which will keep your pet snug as a bug through winter. " - Dr. Michelle Wong
While there are a huge variety of beds available to suit pooches of different needs, there are a few features which crop up again and again in our most loved dog beds. When choosing a bed, consider looking for one with some (or all) of the features listed below.
Look for beds which are machine washable or have a removable cover that is. Regular cleaning can improve hygiene and reduce risks of infection.
A soft exterior on a bed adds an extra layer of comfort for your pet to sleep soundly through the night. Common fabrics are plush, faux fur or fleece.
There should be ample filling inside the bed to provide cushioning and support. Choose the core material most suitable for your pet's needs, such as a memory foam mattress for orthopaedic issues.
High quality materials can extend the life of a bed. But for any product, wear and tear will affect its integrity. The fabric on raised beds can stretch and sag over time. Consider beds that offer replacement covers to preserve the supportive qualities of the bed.
Want to read more? Check out our other articles:
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Head Veterinarian, BVSc (Hons)
Pet Circle's Head Veterinarian, Dr Teagan graduated from the University of Queensland in 2010 and went on to work in small animal and mixed practice in various locations around QLD & ACT before joining Pet Circle in early 2016. Dr Teagan has special interests in dermatology, nutrition and preventative health care. She feels privileged to witness the special bond people share with their pets on a daily basis and enjoys forming lasting relationships with pet parents and their fur children.
