The 7 Best Dog Beds for a New Puppy

How We Tested

Testing dog beds is an ongoing pursuit for The Spruce Pets. We have so far completed three rounds of testing, totaling 67 dog beds. In addition to testing a wide range of bestselling and popular dog beds, we have also completed targeted tests of dog beds designed for cooling during hot weather and dog beds designed with orthopedic features suitable to older dogs or dogs with other mobility issues.

While we've tested hundreds of products in ourNew York testing lab, dog bed tests were primarily conducted at home, using a lengthy process that began with expert consultations. After conducting our best possible research, a methodology is developed that guides our volunteer testers through several weeks of observations, questions, and hands-on experience.

Testers evaluated dog beds based on each bed's comfort and build quality, in addition to how easy they are to clean and other features. Subsequent long-term follow-ups were made that ensured that well-reviewed dog beds continued to be a success with our testers and their dogs.

What to Look for in a Dog Bed for Puppies

Style

Dr. Wolfe says a dog bed for your puppy “doesn't need to be fancy. Just a soft comfortable bed is fine.”

Meanwhile, there are many options and types of materials to choose from, each with its own pros and cons. The most popular ones include:

• Elevated:This type of dog bed acts similar to a hammock and is excellent for pups that need a little extra support due to joint pain. Elevated beds also give a bit of extra coolness as the air circulates beneath it while your dog rests. Some dogs feel more secure when sleeping on an elevated platform. The downside would be when your dog has trouble stepping up onto the elevated bed due to pain, or is too small to comfortably get in and out of the bed.
• Cooling:Cooling bedsare constructed of either a cooling gel infused into memory foam, a layer of cooling gel over a layer of foam, or another type of breathable material that helps prevent your pup from overheating. Temperature regulating materials in cooling beds also absorb excess heat from your pet’s body during hot days or nights so your pup can avoid a heat stroke—a common pet problem during the warmer months. A disadvantage of cooling beds would be their price: they tend to be more expensive than other options.
• Bolstered:Bolstered beds appeal to dogs not only because some like to rest their heads on the bolster like a pillow, but also because they are designed to appeal to dogs’ ancestral instincts. The raised border around the sleeping area can take many shapes from oval to rectangle to finalsquare. It gives today’s dogs the same sense of security that wild canines once got when they snuggled against the protective border of their dens. A downside of the bolstered option would be if your dog doesn’t find that raised edge to be as comfortable as others do.
• Sofa:A gooddog sofa bedprovides many of the same benefits as the elevated and bolstered dog beds, coupled with whatever additional perks each particular sofa bed brand brings. For example, memory foam in the sofa bed would bring pressure relief for the joints while cooling properties would help cool pups down when hot. Cozy fabrics would help them snuggle in for a good rest, and attractive designs would blend with home decor. The issues with sofa beds could be their price (some are high) and possibly if they’re raised too high for your dog to easily get into or out of since some are elevated.
• Crate mat:These provide cushion for your dog while lying inside their crate so that they aren’t lying directly on the hard bottom surface of it. Crate mats are helpful for the comfort of all dogs when left in crates, especially older dogs with joint trouble. Use caution if your dog has anxiety when left in their crate, as crate mats or other cushions may be chewed upon. If your dog ingests certain types of cushion material it can be extremely dangerous for them. Consult a veterinarian if you suspect your dog has ingested any type of cushion or crate mat material.
• Orthopedic:These beds are made of dense foam to support dogs with joint problems like arthritis or hip dysplasia. Puppies of breeds known to have these problems as adult dogs can benefit fromorthopedic bedsbeing provided early on in order to delay the onset and prolong their healthy joints for as long as possible. A potential downside would be if the bed isn’t made of a high quality material and it ends up compressing too much or not providing the level of comfort your dog needs.
  

Foam

“Memory foam is great. You just need to make sure your pup isn't chewing through the covering and eating the foam!” says Dr. Wolfe. Indeed, memory foam is wonderful for pet beds, since it conforms to their shape and provides optimal comfort and pressure relief. Growing dogs and senior dogs and those with joint issues benefit the most from memory foam.

With memory foam, lighter and smaller or average-sized pups will have the best fit. Larger or heavier dogs find themselves sinking in too deeply, possibly having trouble getting up quickly. Memory foam also retains heat, so dogs may get overheated on hot days or nights.

Shredded memory foam is more flexible than regular memory foam, so it can be “burrowed” down into, stimulating a natural nesting instinct in your dog, while creating a customized cushion for them to rest on at the same time.

Orthopedic foam is denser and more supportive, a particularly helpful bed material for dogs with joint problems. With breeds prone to ailments like hip dysplasia or arthritis, getting an orthopedic foam mattress for them as a puppy can help delay or prevent these problems.

Cleaning/Maintenance

有许多方法来thepet hair removaland cleaning of your dog’s bed, so it’s a matter of finding what works most efficiently for your household and your pet’s needs.

Before you begin washing the fabric, Wolfe suggests that,” You can always use a pet/lint brush to get hair off of it.” For this task, basic lint rollers are usually pretty affordable and easy to use, or you can purchase apet hair removal deviceor a specially designedpet hair vacuum cleanerto help things along if you’ve got especially furry friends. Of course, most of the smaller attachments on yourhome vacuum cleanershould work well, too.

First and foremost, Wolfe says, “You need to follow the manufacturer's instructions on cleaning the bed. Some (beds) are machine washable. Some just have covers that come off to go into the washing machine. Some only can be spot cleaned.”

If you need to release compressed foam, especially when it’s been in a cold environment, you could try allowing the foam to warm up a little by turning up the heat or starting up a space heater. Heating pads or electric blankets may help to expand the foam, too. You can also attempt to increase air circulation in the room, or use a hand held steamer to “fluff” up compressed foam.

Chewing

对于年轻的小狗,有无数的小狗pacifier/teething toys on the market today, so take your pick, making sure that your choice is age-appropriate for your pup and no pieces are coming off while it’s being chewed. Puppies should always be supervised when given a chew toy.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This roundup was written byKJ Callihan, who has been writing for The Spruce Pets since 2021. You may have also seen her best-of lists, gift guides and product reviews on sites like CNET, AAA Northeast magazine, and Better Homes and Gardens. To ensure this guide recommended the highest quality products, Callihan researched an array of dog beds for puppies and their features. She also consultedDr. Gail Wolfe, D.V.M., ofBennett Road Animal Clinic, Inc. Dr. Wolfe has been a practicing veterinarian for over 50 years.