One of the best ways you can show love to your dog is by providing somewhere safe, comfortable, and warm to sleep. Anymore, a spot next to or on your bed may not feel like quite enough when you can surf online and find a plethora of dog beds.
How would you even go about finding the best dog beds for small dogs? Does your Yorkie or Toy Poodle need a special bed, and what criteria should you consider?
Small dogs need support and security. You can provide both through bolsters, memory foam mattresses, and calming beds.
Quick Picks: The 6 Top-Rated Small Dog Beds
Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
In a hurry? Check our best pick above, or keep reading for product reviews and buying guide!
6 Reviews of the Best Dog Beds for Small Dogs
PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed
Best Bolster Bed
The PetFusion Ultimate bed is compact to give your small dog the security he craves. Bolsters with generous polyfill add to the coziness of the bed. Dogs often gain comfort from sleeping next to a person or another dog. The bolsters will give your pet a sense of support and a solid point against which to lean.
High-quality materials of a dog bed help it last. Your small dog may not be a heavy chewer, but the PetFusion will stand up against wear and tear. The PetFusion has a composition of cotton and polyester.
Related: Best Dog Beds for Chewers
Soft cotton provides comfort. A 2.5-inch memory foam base gives your dog orthopedic support. Stability in the mattress maintains joint mobility and restful sleep. With a breathable cover, the bed does not trap body heat.
You can keep your pet’s bed clean and dry. The bed has a machine-washable zipper-equipped cover and waterproof liner.
Our Rating: 4.9 Stars
Pros:
- Can tumble dry
- Certi-Pur US orthopedic memory foam
- Neutral color – gray
- Replacement covers available for separate sale
- Can remove shed hairs from the cover easily
Cons:
- Materials sensitive to bleach
- Bolsters not washable
Milliard Premium Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Bed
Best Memory Foam Dog Bed
The Milliard Premium Orthopedic dog bed features both support and comfort through a two-inch memory foam mattress atop a 2.5-inch base. With a human-grade memory foam material, the bed conforms to body weight, relieving your dog’s pressure points.
High-quality materials provide orthopedic support to prevent arthritis and ease joint issues such as hip dysplasia and knee problems.
Related: Best Orthopedic Dog Beds
Milliard dog beds come with a washable cover. The manufacturer laminates the cover with Thermoplastic Polyurethane, making it water-resistant and antimicrobial. Polyester ensures your dog’s bed cover is strong and durable.
Our Rating: 4.8 Stars
Pros:
- Antimicrobial cover
- Memory foam is
- Among the most affordable dog beds
- Sturdy yet plush and comfortable – dogs actively seek to lay on it
Cons:
- Memory foam has an odor upon arrival
- Takes up to 24 hours for rolled-up shape to flatten out
AmazonBasics Cooling Elevated Pet Bed
Best Elevated Dog Bed
The AmazonBasics Elevated Cooling Bed offers your dog an alternative to the hard floor or ground by raising him seven inches. Elevation not only offers relief for your pet’s joints but also circulates surrounding cool air.
Related: Best Dog Cooling Mats
An iron frame with stainless steel bolts makes your dog’s cot stable and long-lasting. The bed will be simple for you to assemble. The mesh, PVC fabric, is one of the easiest materials to keep clean and dry and is breathable for your dog.
Our Rating: 4.2 Stars
Pros:
- Your dog can sleep on the cot or lounge underneath
- Can clean mesh by simply hosing off
- You can use the cot indoors or out
- Portable design means you can disassemble and fold the bed, making it easier to carry than most.
Cons:
- Elevated design may make it difficult for arthritic and short-legged dogs to get on and off
- Mesh may sag in the middle, compromising support
K&H PET PRODUCTS Original Bolster Pet Cot Elevated Pet Bed
Best Waterproof Bed
This K&H combines the concepts of a bolstered bed and an elevated cot. Your pet can use the bolsters as makeshift head pillows or as body cushions for additional security.
The K&H cot has a sturdy but lightweight frame that you do not need tools to assemble. Four feet with rubber bottoms prevent the cot from sliding and provide a sturdy support center for the mesh bed.
Denim is not only a strong and durable material for the bed, but it also allows you to use the cot indoors and outside. Further, the easy assembly means you can take the cot with your dog anywhere. The cover is removable and washable with replacements available separately.
Related: Best Outdoor Dog Beds
Our Rating: 4.5 Stars
Pros:
- Soft, plush bolsters
- Has an optional canopy
- Mesh material inhibits growth of bacteria and mold
- Can wipe clean
Cons:
- Bolsters can be weak at the seams
- Possible sagging of the mesh
Best Friends by Sheri The Original Calming Shag Vegan Fur Donut Cuddler
Best Calming Dog Bed
The Best Friends Calming Donut Cuddler will provide a few different means for your dog to find comfort naturally. Faux fur is self-warming, using your pet’s body heat to make him feel enveloped and cozy.
Built-in folds in the bedding let your dog satisfy his urge to burrow. A raised rim along the bed’s perimeter serves as a bolster that can give your dog a headrest or a body cushion. Finally, the round donut shape is perfect for dogs who like to curl up, a position that provides comfort and warmth.
Related: Best Dog Cave Beds
Although you may see fur as luxurious and difficult to keep in good condition, the Donut Cuddler is safe in the washing machine and the dryer. The faux fur is soft, and together with the plush filling provides comfort to rest and relieve the joints.
Our Rating: 4.9 Stars
Pros:
- Round shape ideal for dogs who sleep curled
- Multiple ways for dogs to find comfort
- Protect floor – dirt- and water-resistant
- Durable nylon
- No external cover
Cons:
- Fur can mat if it does not dry properly
- Will not withstand heavy chewing
MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Super Plush Pet Beds
Best Dog Crate Bed
The Midwest Homes Pet Bed is inviting to dogs because of how soft and plush it is. One of its most satisfactory uses is to crate train small dogs.
The bed can encourage your pet to feel comfortable in a kennel, whether for short car trips or house training. Its design enables you to reshape it, making the bed adjustable for most crates.
This Midwest Homes for Pets bed is low maintenance despite its overstuffed filling. You can throw it in the washing machine and afterward tumble dry it. Rather than use fleece, the bed features a tufted poly-fiber that does not tend to pill and create lumps in the bed. It has a non-skid bottom.
Our Rating: 4 Stars
Pros:
- Ideal for toy breeds under 12 pounds
- Fits standard crates
- Low maintenance
- Stylish – Ombre Swirl design in neutral gray color
- Softness provides comfort and helps relief soreness
Cons:
- Susceptible to destruction by chewing
- Skid dots may come off in the washing machine
Best Dog Beds for Small Dogs Buying Guide
Things to Look For When Buying Small Dog Beds
You should always look at the same specific features when searching for a suitable bed for your small breed dog.
Non-Slip Bottom
Although it may seem cute and comical to see your dog jump on his bed and ride it as it slides halfway across the kitchen floor, many pet supply manufacturers have opted for a safer approach. Now, most dog beds come equipped with non-skid bottoms in the form of rubber or silicone material, knobs, dots, or feet.
Larger dogs have more of a problem with their beds sliding from their weight, but small dogs can benefit from non-skid surfaces on hardwood, tile, and marble floors.
Washable
If shopping for your first dog bed, the last thing you may think about is how you will wash it. You will certainly think about the inconvenience of keeping your pet’s bed clean when it starts to smell like a wet dog. A removable washable cover or an entire bed that you can machine wash will save you a lot of headaches and help keep your dog healthy.
Materials like nylon, polyester, denim, canvas, and cotton may not be as fancy as leather and other fabrics, but they are extremely easy to clean and dry relatively quickly.
Part of keeping your dog’s bed sanitary is protecting it from soiling, whether from bathroom accidents or bringing the outdoor mud inside.
Another priority is keeping the dog bed dry. You can usually find dog beds with both waterproof liners and covers. Liners and covers are paramount, particularly for orthopedic beds, because washing supportive equipment like memory foam requires additional care. Moisture, urine, and claws can potentially ruin an expensive bed.
Shapes and Special Features
Many dogs sleep in a curled position to stay warm, feel secure, or because it is how they feel most comfortable. For these canids, a round or oval bed resembles a nest and encourages turning and forming a ball. Small dogs often have a difficult time staying warm. Other dogs lay on their sides or sprawled on their stomachs and maybe more comfortable on a rectangular bed.
Pets who sleep curled do not always require a round shape if the bed has bolsters. They often will nestle against a headrest.
Elevated beds or cots are especially helpful in warm climates as they allow air currents to circulate below and above your dog. Cots can also have bolsters.
Dog beds may have special features to make them more luxurious or more convenient for dog owners. Some are adaptable to dog crates while others have canopy covers. Some have extra polyfill for additional softness, and orthopedic beds may have memory foam or gel foam mattresses.
Importance of Size Measuring Your Dog for a Bed
In the case of small dogs, a larger bed is not necessarily ideal for them. You should be as conscientious about measuring a bed for a Toy Poodle as you would be for a Great Dane. Especially for small dogs, where security can be a source of anxiety, an oversized bed can make them feel isolated.
At the other extreme, a bed that is too small for your dog to stretch out will not provide effective support. Limbs can dangle off the edge, and dogs who curl up will not find appropriate stability for their spines.
Although it may be tempting to buy a dog bed by eyeballing it or going by your dog’s weight or breed, it is best to measure your pet and make a purchase that will be a much more precise fit. You can either measure your dog while lying down or calculate a sprawled measurement if he refuses to remain still.
A good way to calculate how much space your dog will take upon his bed is to measure from the end of his nose to the tip of his tail and the length of his rear and front legs. Add all measurements together and then subtract half the length of the forelegs. Some people simply measure their dog’s length from end to end and add about three inches to obtain the bed size.
How to Choose the Best Dog Beds for Small Dogs
You have to take into account the personality of your dog and address practical concerns.
- No sharp edges
- High-quality materials, so frames do not fail
- Nontoxic materials and low VOC or volatile organic compound emissions
- Good customer reviews; cons were minor
- One-year warranty or better
- Does your dog sleep curled in a ball or sprawled out?
- Does your pet have a relatively long body or legs?
- Is your dog a heavy chewer, or does he like to play with toys on the bed?
- Does your dog have orthopedic or arthritis concerns?
- Does your four-legged friend prefer to sleep against something? Would he prefer some company while sleeping?
Final Thoughts
The PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed was the winner of our roundup of the best dog beds for small dogs. It edged out the Best Friends by Sheri Original Calming Donut in second place. As the most versatile of the dog beds, the PetFusion provides support through its orthopedic mattress. It also gives comfort and security via its bolsters along with durability and comfort that comes from high-quality materials. Yet, the Original Vegan Calming Shag provides the high-priority needs of comfort, safety, and warmth for small breed dogs.