Buying a dog bed for a large dog
Getting the right bed for big dogs is important
Larger dogs don’t have as many comfortable places to sleep in a home compared to smaller dogs – on the sofa or your bed are about the only real options for them. So finding them a good sized bed of their own is important, as it gives them their own place to relax rather than co-occupying yours.
Some breeds can quickly outgrow their beds
When your little puppy is not so little any more, it’s important to upgrade their bed to a more appropriate size. While dogs may seen content to curl up in their old, smaller bed, it forces them into more restrictive sleeping positions which can be bed for their posture and general wellbeing. You know the value of a good night’s sleep, so it’s important to understand that this applies to your dogs as well.
A note on the different sizes of dog beds
Each manufacturer of dog beds have their own size guide, so there will be some differences between what is considered a “large” bed from one brand to another. However, many suppliers offer sizing guides so you can understand the precise dimensions of the bed and whether or not it’s suitable for your canine friend.
Generally speaking, even with a fully-grown dog you want to allow a little bit of extra space so they can stretch out, sleep with their favourite toys or even add a pillow or cushion in for extra comfort.
If you have any questions about buying a dog bed, ask in the comments below.
The Best Dog Beds for Large Dogs
Here are our top dog beds that are great for larger dogs
Friends Forever Orthopedic Mattress Big Barker Orthopedic Bed The Dog’s Bed Memory Foam bed Bedsure Memory Foam Dog Bed Joyelf Memory Foam Dog Bed
Price: ££ (check)
Sizes: S / M / L
Colours: 3 options
Material: Water-resistant liner and human-grade memory foam mattress
1. Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Mattress
**Highly Recommended**
This lovely orthopedic mattress from Friends Forever is soft, plush and is super comfy making it a wonderful choice for all types of dogs. The 10cm thick mattress has raised pillow sides which is great for dogs to curl up in and it’s wonderful for older dogs that may have joint pain with a good combination of firm support and soft cushions.
The cover is made from premium microfibre suede which is soft and breathable, but is also tough – it’s been tested for chew resistance and it’s fur-resistant, making it easy to clean. When you need to wash it, the cover can be easily removed and machine washed. The base is a memory foam mattress which offers great support for dogs as it adjusts to their sleeping habits, but will retain its shape.
This is just a beautifully engineered dog bed that your dog will love!
- Comfy suede mattress (approx. 5 inches thick).
- Non-skid, non-slip base.
- Removable cover.
Our verdict…
The Friends Forever dog mattress is a luxury dog bed and while that comes at a slightly higher cost than others in the guide, the extra price is worth the comfort and quality you get.
Price: £££ (check)
Sizes: L / XL
Colours: 3 options
Material: Micro suede cover and therapeutic foam
2. Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed
The Big Barker range of orthopedic dog beds are specifically designed for large dogs. While this is a much more expensive bed than all of the others featured in this guide, there’s a good reason for it. The foam mattress is constructed from therapeutic foam, which is the same high quality foam used in high-end furniture. This is important, as it’s much more able to support the weight of heavier dogs, while retaining the shape of the mattress. In fact, the manufacturer guarantees the foam will retain 90% of its shape for at least 10 years.
The mattress is actually 3 layers of foam – the top and bottom are softer foams, designed for comfort, while the middle 7 inch layer is a more robust therapeutic foam which helps the bed retain it’s shape. The cover is a detachable and machine washable micro suede material which comes in a range of different colours to suit all homes.
The bed has one raised side which offers a great perch for your dog to rest its head on and the contour of the lounger design, coupled with the high quality memory foam, means large dogs, and even the oldest and most weary of them, will have no problems finding a comfortable position to sleep in.
- Superior 7 inch mattress.
- Machine washable cover.
- High quality foam.
Our verdict…
This is a premium product and that’s reflected in the price tag. But, for that you’re getting a great dog bed that’s suitable for larger or older dogs, that will last you a long time.
Price: ££ (check)
Sizes: S / M / L / XL / XXL
Colours: 9 options
Material: Premium plush cover and memory foam base
3. The Dog’s Bed Memory Foam Bed
The Dog’s Bed have a wide range of different dog beds and possibly have the widest variety of size and colour options of any brand. This particular bed is a lovely, plush orthopedic bed for larger dogs.
The premium grade memory foam mattress is ideal for older dogs who might be suffering from joint pain or arthritis and the company boasts that it is “possibly the most comfortable dog bed in the world”. Memory foam is great for elderly dogs as it helps relieve pressure points when the dog is sleeping, where harder beds may exacerbate aches and pains. It has raised sides and back, which allow your dog to rest its head and neck or curl up in different sleeping positions as it sees fit.
The plush Oxford fabric cover is removable and machine washable, as is the waterproof inner cover, which is handy if your dog has the occasional accident.
- Premium memory foam (4 inch mattress).
- Machine washable cover and waterproof inner cover.
- A wide range of size and colour options.
Our verdict…
This is a great choice for older dogs, as the bed will really accommodate the changes in sleeping requirements that old dogs have. But, it’s so comfy, even younger dogs will take to it too. While the price is upper mid-market, it’s a high quality bed that comes with loads of different size and colour options.
Price: ££ (check)
Sizes: M / L / XL
Colours: 1 option
Material: Faux linen fabric cover with memory foam base
4. Bedsure Memory Foam Dog Bed
The Bedsure memory foam bed is a great budget dog bed for people who are looking for a robust product at a great price. The sofa design is a great way to encourage your dog off your sofa and into their own bed – and for owners of large dogs, that’s going to free up a lot of sofa space for you!
The outer cover is made from a faux linen fabric which is resistant to stains, hairs and doesn’t easily absorb liquids, which is great for keeping the bed clean and fresh. The sleeping area is covered with micro-sherpa (which is a fleece style fabric made from polyester), which is warm and cost for your dog and also covers part of the raised sides. The cover can be removed and easily machined washed.
The base is a 2.5 inch memory foam mattress and while that isn’t quite as thick as other beds here (some go up to 10 inches), this is good for medium to large dogs and still an excellent purchase for the low price.
- 2.5 inch memory foam mattress.
- Removable and machine washable cover.
- Soft micro-sherpa sleeping surface.
Our verdict…
This is a good quality budget dog bed that’s more suited to younger dogs – older dogs may prefer a thicker mattress.
Price: ££ (check)
Sizes: S / M / L / XL
Colours: 1 option
Material: Fluffy cotton padded cushions with memory foam base
5. Joyelf Memory Foam Dog Bed
This is a lovely memory foam bed from Joyelf, and again in the style of a sofa bed. Raised edges on dog beds are great for houses where there may be draughts at the floor level, as they keep your dog warm and also let them curl up against the edges. Coming in at lower mid-market prices this is a good value dog bed that dogs of all ages will love. The 3 inch thick memory foam base provides comfort for your canine friend and the super cosy padded pillow sides means they’ll be sure of a good night sleep.
The soft and warm cover is easily removable and machine washable, and the bed comes with a waterproof inner cover which is useful for older dogs who may have accidents. And, the bed comes with a free squeaky toy!
- 3 inch memory foam mattress.
- Removable and machine washable cover.
- Comfy cotton padded pillows.
Our verdict…
This is a good quality dog bed that comes in a range of sizes to fit larger dogs and won’t break the bank in the process.
Do you have a question about buying a bed for a large dog?
Ask our community and see what they have to say.