Dog beds for puppies
A puppy needs a bed that is washable, chew-resistant enough to survive teething, and sized for the dog they are about to become rather than the dog they are today. Beyond that, the shape matters less than owners think — a puppy will sleep on a flat mat, in a donut, or half off any of them, and will not care which you chose.
What actually matters at this age
A young puppy has no bladder control worth trusting overnight, and most will chew whatever fabric is within reach the moment they are bored. That makes washability and a chew-resistant cover the two things worth spending on, ahead of shape or looks. A bed you can strip and machine wash after an accident earns its keep in the first month alone.
A raised or bolstered edge is popular for adult dogs who like to lean, but a very young puppy often does better on something flatter and lower to the floor, which is easier to climb in and out of without help and less alarming for a dog who has only just left the litter.
Sizing for the dog they will become, not the one you have now
Buying a bed sized for a fully grown Labrador when you have a nine-week-old puppy feels wasteful, but buying twice — once now and once for the adult dog in six months — usually costs more in the end. If you know roughly what size your breed reaches, size up rather than down, and use a folded blanket to fill the extra space in the meantime.
For a genuinely tiny breed that will only ever be a few kilos as an adult, this matters less, and a smaller bed sized closer to their current size is a reasonable choice without the six-month recalculation.
Chew-resistant does not mean chew-proof
No fabric bed is entirely safe from a determined teething puppy, and a bed with a torn cover and stuffing coming out is both a mess and, if your puppy starts eating the stuffing, a genuine choking and blockage risk. A tightly woven, densely stitched cover with no loose trim or dangling tags survives longer than a plush one with decorative edges a puppy can get a tooth into.
If your puppy has already worked through one bed, a simpler flat mat with a removable, washable cover and no separate cushion insert is often the more durable next choice, and it is far cheaper to replace if it does not survive either.
Where to put it
A puppy settles faster in a bed placed somewhere they can still see and hear the household, rather than shut away in a separate room, at least for the first few weeks. If you are crate training, a flat, washable mat sized to fit the crate floor with a little room to spare works better than a bulky cushioned bed that eats into the space.
Keep a spare cover or a second cheap bed on hand for the first few months. Between toilet training and teething, a puppy bed gets washed more often than almost anything else in the house, and having a dry spare means one is always ready while the other is in the machine.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Moderna Plastic Dog Bed Warm
Moderna's Domus plastic dog bed in warm grey, moulded from over 98% recycled plastic, in five sizes from Small to Giant.
From£14.99
Cartoon Cat and Shiba Inu Fleece Cave Bed, Four Sizes to 80cm
A domed fleece nest with a cartoon cat or Shiba Inu face, filled with rebound PP cotton to hold its shape, in four sizes running from 50cm across to 80cm.
From£21.99
Moderna Plastic Dog Bed Extra
The extra large Domus bed, moulded from over 98% recycled plastic with a ventilated base
£29.99
Bolstered Orthopaedic Dog Bed
A supportive bolstered dog bed with a thick cushioned base and raised sides that cradle joints and give a place to rest the head. Ideal for older dogs or any pet who likes to stretch out for restful, comfortable sleep.
From£45.99
L-Shaped Bolster Sofa Dog Bed
A supportive L-shaped sofa bed with a raised bolster back and side for your dog to rest their head. The thick padded base cushions joints, and the soft rose-velvet cover is removable and washable for easy care.
From£44.99
Memory Foam Bolster Dog Bed with Washable Cover
A supportive memory-foam dog bed with raised bolster sides for head and neck resting. The soft cream boucle cover removes for washing, making it easy to keep fresh while giving your dog proper rest.
From£69.99
Four-Sided Washable Dog Bed
A cosy bolstered dog bed with raised sides for a sense of security and a fully removable, machine-washable cover. The layered cushion and mattress lift out for easy cleaning, ideal for autumn and winter.
From£46.99
Moderna Plastic Dog Bed Warm Grey Extra Large
A wipe-clean recycled plastic dog bed frame, 78.8 x 49.2cm inside
£29.99
Cooling Bolster Pet Sofa Bed
Supportive bolster pet bed with a breathable cooling top that keeps dogs and cats comfortable in warmer weather. Raised sides cushion the neck and the cover fully detaches for easy washing.
From£65.99
L-Shaped Bolster Dog Sofa Bed
A roomy sofa-style dog bed with a raised L-shaped bolster along the back and side for support. The flat cushioned base gives large dogs plenty of space to sprawl and rest.
From£65.99
Extra Large Orthopaedic Dog Sofa Bed
An extra-large sofa-style dog bed with a cushioned mattress base and bolstered sides, sized for big breeds who want to stretch out rather than curl into a nest.
From£68.99
Dubex Nordic Dog Bed Griege
A linen dog bed in a soft greige tone, with a removable washable cover
From£33.55
Common questions
- What size bed should I buy for a puppy that will grow into a large dog?
- Size for the adult breed where you can, since it saves buying a second bed in a few months. Fill the extra space with a folded blanket in the meantime so a small puppy does not feel exposed in a bed built for a much bigger dog.
- Is a donut bed or a flat mat better for a young puppy?
- A flat mat is usually easier for a very young puppy to get in and out of unaided, and it is simpler to wash. Raised, bolstered donut beds tend to suit dogs a bit older who have started to prefer something to lean against while they sleep.
- How do I stop my puppy destroying their bed?
- No cover is entirely chew-proof during teething, but a tightly stitched fabric with no loose trim survives longer than a plush one with decorative edges. Supervising early use and offering a proper chew toy alongside the bed also redirects a lot of the damage before it starts.
- How often should a puppy bed be washed?
- Far more often than an adult dog's, at least while toilet training is ongoing. Choose a bed with a removable, machine-washable cover from the start, and keep a spare on hand so one is always dry and ready while the other is being cleaned.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.