How to Choose the Best Bed for Your Dog or Cat: 12 Tips

Choosing the right pet bed can give your dog or cat a comfortable, familiar place to sleep, relax, and spend quiet time at home. However, the best bed is not always the softest, thickest, or most expensive option.

Your pet’s size, sleeping position, age, mobility, coat, daily habits, and preferred resting location should all influence your decision. A large dog that stretches out may need a very different bed from a cat that prefers curling into a warm, enclosed space.

This guide explains 12 important factors to compare when choosing a dog or cat bed, including size, shape, support, materials, washability, durability, placement, and everyday maintenance.

1. Observe How Your Pet Sleeps

Before comparing pet beds, watch how your dog or cat normally rests. Sleeping style is one of the clearest clues about which bed shape may feel most comfortable.

Some pets curl into a tight circle, while others stretch their legs across the floor. Some like resting their head on a raised edge, and others prefer a completely flat surface.

• Curled sleepers: may prefer round beds or raised edges
• Stretching sleepers: may need a larger rectangular bed
• Head-resting pets: may enjoy a bolster or sofa-style edge
• Hidden sleepers: may prefer covered or enclosed designs
• Floor sleepers: may like flatter mats or low-profile beds

Choose a bed that works with your pet’s natural habits instead of trying to change the way they prefer to sleep.

2. Measure Your Dog or Cat Before Buying

Pet bed sizes are not always consistent between products. A bed labeled small, medium, or large may have different dimensions depending on the manufacturer.

Measure your pet from the nose to the base of the tail while they are lying in a relaxed position. Then compare that measurement with the usable sleeping area of the bed, not only the outside dimensions.

• Measure your pet while resting naturally
• Check both bed length and width
• Allow extra room for stretching and turning
• Review interior dimensions on beds with raised sides
• Recheck sizing as puppies and kittens grow

For additional dog-bed sizing and selection guidance, review the AKC guide to choosing the right dog bed.

3. Choose the Right Bed Shape

Pet beds come in round, oval, rectangular, cave-style, sofa-style, flat, and elevated designs. The right shape depends on your pet’s sleeping position and where the bed will be placed.

Round or Donut Beds

Round beds can feel cozy for dogs and cats that curl while sleeping. Raised outer edges may also provide a place to rest the head.

Rectangular Beds

Rectangular beds usually provide more usable length for pets that stretch out. They can also fit neatly beside furniture, inside some crates, or against a wall.

Covered or Cave Beds

Covered beds may appeal to cats and smaller dogs that seek enclosed, warm, or private resting spaces.

Flat Mats

Flat mats are simple, portable, and often easier to place inside carriers, crates, or compact rooms.

4. Match the Support Level to Your Pet

Pet beds range from lightly padded cushions to thicker foam designs. The ideal support level depends on your pet’s size, weight, age, and personal preference.

A lightweight cat or small dog may feel comfortable on a softer cushion, while a larger dog may need a thicker base that does not flatten quickly. Senior pets or animals that find it difficult to settle may benefit from a supportive, easy-to-access sleeping surface.

• Check the thickness of the sleeping base
• Look for filling that returns to shape
• Make sure heavier pets do not sink directly to the floor
• Consider lower-entry designs for easier access
• Ask a veterinarian about specific mobility or comfort concerns

A bed should feel supportive without making it difficult for your pet to step onto, turn around, or get up.

5. Compare Bolster Beds and Flat Beds

Bolster beds have raised sides around part or all of the sleeping area. Flat beds have little or no raised edge.

Bolsters can create a more enclosed feeling and provide a place for a pet to rest their head. Flat beds provide easier access and more open space for pets that prefer stretching out.

• Bolster bed: suitable for curling and head support
• Flat bed: useful for stretching and easy entry
• Sofa-style bed: combines an open front with raised sides
• Low-edge bed: may be easier for smaller or older pets

Observe whether your pet regularly rests against pillows, furniture, or walls. This can indicate that a raised edge may be appealing.

6. Consider the Differences Between Dog Beds and Cat Beds

Dogs and cats can sometimes use similar beds, but their resting preferences are not always the same.

Many dogs prefer an open bed located close to household activity. Cats may alternate between several sleeping areas and often enjoy warm, quiet, enclosed, or elevated locations.

• Dogs may need more floor space for stretching
• Cats may prefer smaller and more enclosed sleeping areas
• Large dogs generally need thicker and wider beds
• Cats may enjoy beds placed near a quiet window or perch
• Multi-pet homes may need separate sleeping spaces

For cat beds and other everyday feeding, playtime, litter, and comfort items, explore the Pawpello Cat Supplies collection.

7. Look for a Removable, Washable Cover

Washability is one of the most practical features to compare. Pet beds can collect hair, crumbs, dirt, moisture, and everyday odors over time.

A removable cover usually makes routine cleaning easier, especially with large beds that do not fit completely inside a washing machine.

• Check whether the cover is removable
• Review the washing and drying instructions
• Look for secure zippers and reinforced seams
• Confirm whether the inner cushion is washable
• Consider keeping a spare cover or blanket

Always follow the manufacturer’s care directions. Washing methods can vary depending on the fabric, foam, filling, and construction.

8. Choose Materials for Your Home and Climate

Pet beds are made with materials such as fleece, plush fabric, cotton blends, canvas, polyester, foam, and woven textiles. The best option depends on the room, season, and your pet’s coat.

Soft plush surfaces may feel warm and cozy in cooler rooms. Smoother or lighter fabrics may be more practical for pets with thick coats or homes in warmer climates.

• Plush or fleece: soft and warm
• Canvas-style fabric: practical and structured
• Smooth woven fabric: often easier to remove hair from
• Foam base: can provide a thicker resting surface
• Non-slip bottom: may help keep the bed in position

Consider both comfort and cleaning. A beautiful fabric may not be practical if it traps large amounts of hair or is difficult to wash.

9. Check Durability and Construction

No pet bed is completely resistant to chewing, scratching, or regular wear. However, stronger seams, secure zippers, and suitable outer fabrics can help the bed remain usable for longer.

If your dog chews bedding or your cat scratches soft surfaces, inspect the bed frequently. Remove it from use if the filling, foam, zipper, or small components become exposed.

• Check stitching around the edges
• Look for covered or securely placed zippers
• Inspect fabric thickness
• Avoid loose decorative pieces
• Replace beds with serious tears or exposed filling

A pet that regularly destroys beds may need a simpler resting mat and closer supervision rather than an extra-soft design with loose filling.

10. Think About Bed Placement

The location of the bed can be just as important as the design. A comfortable bed may remain unused if it is placed in a noisy, isolated, cold, or heavily traveled area.

Choose a location where your pet already likes to rest. Dogs may enjoy being near family activity, while cats often prefer quieter areas with a clear view of the room.

• Keep the bed away from cold drafts
• Avoid placing it beside loud appliances
• Leave enough room for easy entry and exit
• Keep the bed away from direct household hazards
• Place it where your pet naturally spends time

You may need to test more than one location before finding the spot your pet prefers.

11. Decide Whether You Need More Than One Bed

Some pets move between several rooms throughout the day. In that case, having more than one resting surface may be more useful than moving the same bed repeatedly.

You do not necessarily need several premium beds. A main sleeping bed, a washable mat in another room, and a small travel pad may provide enough flexibility.

• Main bed for nighttime or longer rest
• Secondary mat for a living area or office
• Crate pad if your dog uses a crate
• Carrier liner for travel
• Separate beds for pets that prefer personal space

Browse different resting styles in the Pawpello Dog Beds & Comfort collection.

12. Know When to Replace a Pet Bed

Pet beds gradually lose shape and support. Covers can also become worn, and damaged seams may expose the inner filling.

Regularly check the sleeping surface, underside, seams, zipper, and filling. Cleaning can refresh a bed, but it cannot restore a base that has permanently flattened or broken down.

• The base remains flat after use
• Foam or filling is exposed
• The cover has large tears
• The zipper no longer closes securely
• The bed no longer fits your growing pet
• Odors remain after proper cleaning

Pet Bed Buying Checklist

Use this checklist before purchasing a new dog or cat bed:

• Does the bed match your pet’s sleeping position?
• Is the usable sleeping area large enough?
• Can your pet enter and exit easily?
• Is the base thick enough for your pet’s weight?
• Does the shape provide the type of support your pet prefers?
• Is the cover removable and washable?
• Will the material suit the room and climate?
• Are the seams and zippers securely constructed?
• Does the underside help keep the bed stable?
• Will the bed fit the intended space in your home?

Common Pet Bed Buying Mistakes

One common mistake is buying a bed based only on appearance. A stylish bed may not work if it is too small, difficult to clean, or unsuitable for your pet’s sleeping style.

Another mistake is using only the product’s small, medium, or large label. Always compare actual measurements before ordering.

• Choosing by appearance instead of function
• Ignoring interior sleeping dimensions
• Buying a bed that is difficult to wash
• Selecting high sides for a pet with limited mobility
• Placing the bed where the pet does not like to rest
• Keeping a damaged bed in use for too long

Final Thoughts

The best bed for your dog or cat is one that matches their body size, sleeping style, mobility, preferred location, and your daily cleaning routine.

Start by observing how your pet sleeps. Measure their resting length, compare the usable bed area, and choose a shape that supports their natural position. Then review the cover, filling, entry height, construction, and care instructions.

A well-chosen pet bed does not need to be complicated. It simply needs to provide a comfortable, appropriately sized, easy-to-maintain place your dog or cat will actually use.