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Are you looking for a comfortable bed for your new puppy? If so, it's important to buy one that's durable, comfortable and the right size. Here's our list of the five best puppy beds to help you make the right choice for your pet.
Our #1 Pick
Plush bed that's great for puppies
Our top pick for a puppy bed is the MidWest Homes Plush Dog Bed. It's a soft product with a polyfiber cushion, non-skid bottom and machine-washable design. It can also be used both in a crate and standalone.
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In the excitement of bringing home a new dog, it's easy to forget how frightening the experience can be for a puppy.
Not only has your pup been taken from his mother and siblings, but he's suddenly in a different home with new people, smells and noises.
For this reason, it's vital to provide a safe and comfortable bed for your new puppy.
This helps your pet feel more secure and provides a place that belongs to him. A comfy bed may also improve your dog's sleep quality - and puppies need a lot of sleep!
Choosing a puppy bed isn't always easy though. There are hundreds of products on the market, each with different sizes, materials and designs. Many are also not suitable for puppies - either because they can't withstand chewing or are too expensive for a temporary bed.
To help you make the right choice for your pet, I've listed five of my top picks for a puppy bed below. The list includes a variety of types, such as bolster, flat, crate and self-heated, so there's an option for every pup.
How to Choose a Bed for a Puppy
Before we get to my top picks, it's important to understand how to choose a puppy bed. Some of the most important considerations include:
- Location. Is your puppy going to sleep in a crate? An enclosed pen? Or just in the kitchen? The sleeping location determines the best size and shape.
- Size and Breed. One of the most important factors is the size. While your puppy will probably outgrow his first bed at some point, it should be big enough to last a few months (at least). Make sure the bed provides plenty of room to stretch out.
- Durable and Chew-Proof. All puppies love to chew (some more than others). For this reason, the bed needs a durable exterior that can withstand at least some chewing - as you can't watch your puppy 24/7!
- Washable. All dog beds need to be washed regularly. While a puppy might not get as muddy as an adult dog - especially during the first few weeks - it's still a good idea to buy a product that's machine washable. Ideally, you should be able to wash the entire bed, but a washable cover is almost as good.
- Price. Puppies grow fast. Their sharp teeth also wear down covers over time. It probably doesn't make sense to spend a lot of money on a luxury puppy bed, when you'll need to replace it when your pup reaches his full size. For this reason, I don't recommend spending more than $30-40 on a first bed.
Finally, it's vital to buy a bed that's comfortable for your pet. Most puppies don't need thick orthopedic memory foam, such as the beds on our page here, but the stuffing should provide enough support that he/she isn't resting on the floor.
Tip: Looking for other products for your new puppy? Take a look at our puppy shampoo guide on this page. We've also written a guide to the best toys for puppies and a puppy checklist.
5 Best Beds for Puppies (Including Mini Reviews)
Listed below are five of the best dog beds for puppies. I've included beds from several categories - such as self-heated, donut, crate and flat beds - so make sure you read each review to find the best option for your pet.
Quick Picks:
| Rank | Name | Rating | Key Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | MidWest Homes Plush Puppy Bed | Plush and versatile bed for a great price | $ | |
| #2 | Best Friends by Sheri Luxury Donut Cuddler | Comfortable bed with raised sides | $$$ | |
| #3 | MidWest Homes Paw Print Crate Bed | Reversible crate bed with soft cover | $ | |
| #4 | Majestic Pet Suede Bed | Premium stuffing and high-quality construction | $$$ | |
| #5 | K&H Self-Warming Lounge Sleeper | Bolster bed with reflective self-warming design | $$ |
Scroll down for more information and mini-reviews of each of our top picks.
1. MidWest Homes Plush Puppy
If you're looking for a simple puppy bed with a plush sleeping surface, this could be the perfect option.
It's a flat bed that doesn't have bolsters, so it can be used both in a crate or stand-alone. The attractive design and soft polyfiber cushion feels plush to sleep on, while the non-skid bottom prevents it sliding around hardwood floors.
Another great feature is that it's entirely machine washable. The whole bed goes in the machine, so you don't need to worry about removing the cover. This is also useful if your puppy has an accident - which is likely to happen at some point (especially for young puppies).
There aren't many drawbacks to this product - especially considering the low price. It's relatively durable, easy to wash and not too thick for a puppy to climb onto. A potential issue is that it's not fully chew proof, although it's strong enough to handle the occasional chew.
Why We Recommend It: The MidWest Homes Plush Puppy Bed is a comfortable option that's available for a great price. It's relatively durable, machine washable and has a non-skid bottom, so it's a brilliant choice as a first dog bed.
- Type: Flat
- Material: Polyester & Polyfiber Cushion
- Smallest Size: 18" x 11"
- Price Range: $
- Comfy polyfiber cushioning
- Non-skid bottom
- Machine washable
- Not fully chew-proof
2. Best Friends by Sheri Luxury Donut Cuddler
The Fur Donut Cuddler is a great bed for puppies that like to snuggle. The high bolster walls provide a comfortable sleeping environment, so it's a good choice if you want to provide a little more luxury than the MidWest bed above.
I'm a big fan of "cuddlers" for puppies. The raised edges provide a sense of security and protection, which can make your puppy's first few days at home less frightening. The faux shag fur exterior is also similar to a mother dog's fur.
On a practical level, the Luxury Donut Cuddler is machine washable and has a water-resistant bottom. While it's not suitable for a crate, it's a brilliant puppy bed for a living room or kitchen.
There are really only two drawbacks. The first is the price, as it's more expensive than some of the other options on this list. The stuffing also leaves a small gap in the centre, which could cause heavier dogs to sink through to the floor when sleeping in certain positions. This probably isn't an issue for a puppy though.
Why We Recommend It: The Best Friends by Sheri Luxury Donut Cuddler is one of the best beds for puppies. It provides a warm, safe and protective environment for your new pup - plus it's machine washable and looks cute.
- Type: Donut
- Material: Faux Fur Exterior & Polyfil Cushioning
- Smallest Size: 23" x 23"
- Price Range: $$$
- Raised sides provide a protective environment
- Soft and comfortable exterior
- Machine washable
- Stuffing has a small gap in centre
3. MidWest Homes Paw Print Crate Mat
If you're looking for a crate bed for a puppy, the MidWest Paw Print is an option to consider. It features a stylish reversible colour scheme, comfortable design and a relatively cheap price. The shape and size also make it perfect for a crate pad.
It's a relatively simple product, but the soft synthetic fur provides a warm and comfortable sleeping surface for your pet. It's also machine washable and one of the cheapest puppy dog beds on the market.
A potential downside is the durability. While it can withstand the occasional chew, it won't last long if your dog is a strong and determined chewer.
Even so, it's a cheap puppy bed that's warm, soft and great for crates. Small puppies will also love the cushioning, as it makes a crate much more comfortable.
If you're looking for a crate mat for a full-size dog, check out my guide here: https://www.thedogclinic.com/dog-beds/crate-mats
Why We Recommend It: The MidWest Homes Paw Print is a great option for a puppy crate bed. It's not the most durable bed on the market, but is soft and provides excellent value for money.
- Type: Flat / Crate
- Material: Synthetic Fur
- Smallest Size: 18" x 11"
- Price Range: $
- Cheaper than most alternatives
- Great for crates
- Machine washable
- Not suitable for strong chewers
4. Majestic Pet Suede
Another excellent puppy bed is the Majestic Pet Suede. It comes in a variety of colours, has a generous amount of cushioning and bolsters for extra security. If you want a little more luxury without spending a fortune, it's a great choice.
One of the best things about this bed is the high-quality construction. While it's not fully chew-proof, the durable microsuede cover can withstand light chewing and scratching - especially from puppies. It also has a premium polyester fill for comfort and warmth.
Like all the products on this list, the Majestic is machine washable. It also has a waterproof base to help with any puppy accidents.
The main downside is that it's more expensive than the basic options. The combination of durability and comfortable padding make it worth the money though.
Why We Recommend It: The Majestic Pet Suede provides a warm, safe and comfortable sleeping environment for your puppy. It's also surprisingly durable and machine washable.
- Type: Donut / Bolster
- Material: Faux suede and polyester fill
- Smallest Size: 24" x 19"
- Price Range: $$$
- Premium stuffing and microsuede cover
- Machine washable
- Can withstand light chewing and scratching
- May not withstand determined chewing from a strong dog
5. K&H Self-Warming Lounge Sleeper
A warming puppy bed can be a great way to make your young dog more comfortable, as the warmth is both soothing and mimics the feel of sleeping close to their mother. Electric warming beds aren't a great option though, as puppies often chew cables.
For this reason, a self-warming puppy bed can be a useful option. These don't generate heat, but reflect the dog's body heat to maintain a higher temperature.
The K&G Self-Warming Lounge Sleeper is a great example of this. It features a soft polyfil cushioning, along with a reflective layer to radiate heat back towards your pet. It also has raised sides for security and is machine washable.
A bonus is that it's available in several different colours, so you can match it to your home's interior.
Why We Recommend It: A self-warming pad can help keep your puppy warm while providing a more soothing sleeping space. The K&H does a great job of radiating heat without using electricity, and also has comfortable padding and bolsters.
- Type: Bolster
- Material: Soft Polyfil & Reflective Layer
- Smallest Size: 16" x 20"
- Price Range: $$
- Self-warming design
- Machine washable
- Three colours available
- Padding isn't as thick as some of the other beds
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Just Use Vet Bedding?
Vet bedding is a cheap alternative to a "real" bed. It's also washable and can be cut into any shape you need.
While vet bedding can be useful as a temporary stopgap, it doesn't provide the same support or comfort. It can still be a useful option though - especially if your puppy has a habit of destroying beds.
Why Aren't There Any Luxury Beds on this List?
There are plenty of dog beds that cost $100 or more. The best of these are highly durable, comfortable and supportive. They are also often made from high-quality memory foam or other expensive material.
While these beds are great for adult dogs, I don't think it's worth spending $100+ on a designer or memory foam puppy bed. Puppies are notorious for chewing, so even strong products may not last long. These beds are also often too thick for a puppy to climb onto easily. Most importantly, your new pet is likely to outgrow a small memory foam bed in a few months.
Instead, think of the first bed (or two) as a temporary solution until your puppy outgrows the chewing stage and gets closer to his adult size. At this point, I recommend spending more on one of the best dog beds, such as the ones here, with thicker padding.
Summary
You'll need to buy lots of equipment for a new puppy, but a bed is one of the most important. The best puppy beds provide a secure, comfortable and warm sleeping spot for your pet, which helps him/her settle into your home faster.
My top recommendation for a puppy bed is the excellent MidWest Homes Deluxe Super Plush. It's a comfortable bed that's machine washable, can be used either standalone or in a crate, and is available for a great price.
If you want a more luxurious bed for your pup, the Best Friends by Sheri Luxury Donut Cuddler is a great alternative. It has thick bolster walls and a soft surface, which can help your pet feel more secure.
Do you have any questions about choosing a puppy bed? Or feedback about this article? Please let me know in the comments below.
About the Author: Richard Cross
Richard is a journalist who specialises in dog behavior. He's written hundreds of articles and books related to dogs, including for the Continental Kennel Club, Dog Fest (the UK's biggest dog festival) and various veterinary surgeries. When he's not spending time with Jess and Rudy (his beloved Labrador and Golden Retrievers), he enjoys reading, hiking and watching sports.
