Dog beds for small breeds
Small breeds have a higher surface-area-to-body-mass ratio than large dogs, which means they lose body heat faster and often seek out warmth and enclosed spaces more actively than a large breed does. That's a genuine practical reason small dog beds tend to favour hooded, bolstered or cave-style designs rather than the flat, open mats that suit some larger breeds well.
Why small breeds often prefer an enclosed bed
A bed with raised sides or a hood, like a bolster-style design or an enclosed cave bed, gives a small dog somewhere to curl up and feel secure, which many small breeds actively seek out — instinctive denning behaviour that's stronger in some small breeds than in most large ones. It also helps retain body heat better than a flat mat, which matters more for a dog that chills faster.
That doesn't mean every small dog wants an enclosed bed — some genuinely prefer to sprawl out on something flatter, particularly in warmer weather, so it's worth knowing your own dog's preference rather than assuming enclosed is always right. A Frilled Pet Mat & Pillow Set is a flatter option worth considering for a dog who likes to stretch out rather than curl up.
Size and proportion matter more than they seem to
A bed genuinely sized for a small dog, rather than simply the smallest size of a range built primarily for larger breeds, tends to fit better and feel more secure — a small dog on an oversized bed can end up curling into a corner rather than using the whole thing, which defeats some of the comfort benefit. Check the actual dimensions against your dog's size rather than going by the bed's marketed size category alone.
Washability is worth checking regardless of size, since small breed beds get washed at least as often as any other dog's — a bed with a removable, machine-washable cover, like a memory foam bolster bed with a washable cover, saves a lot of hassle over the bed's lifetime compared with one that has to be spot-cleaned or hand-washed.
Materials and support for a small, lighter frame
Memory foam and supportive filling matter less for weight distribution on a small, light dog than they do for a large one, but they still help with joint comfort, particularly for an older small dog or one with any early joint stiffness. A softer, well-filled bed is a reasonable everyday choice even without a specific joint issue.
Whatever the fill, a bed that's flattened out and lost its shape is worth replacing rather than keeping indefinitely — a small dog gets less physical support from a bed than the visual cushioning might suggest once the filling has properly compressed over months of use.
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
Dubex Nordic Dog Bed Griege
A linen dog bed in a soft greige tone, with a removable washable cover
From£33.55
Dubex Cookie Dog Bed
A velvet dog bed with bolstered sides, a non-slip base and a washable cover
From£15.35
Dubex Ottoman Oval Dog Bed
A plush oval dog bed with a removable cover and non-slip base, in green and grey
From£25.79
Raised Pet Sofa Bed with Wooden Legs
A raised pet sofa on wooden legs with a plush, waterproof cover, keeping cats and smaller dogs off cold hard floors and making an accident a wipe rather than a wash.
From£64.99
Dubex Parisian Goose Foot Check Dog Bed Green
A small oval dog bed in green goosefoot check linen, with a foam-filled bolster and front dip
£40.79
PawHut Raised Cooling Dog Bed with Canopy, 76 x 61cm — Light Grey
The small and medium version of PawHut’s elevated mesh bed, 76 x 61cm and 18cm off the ground, with a water- and UV-resistant canopy and a travel bag.
£47.99
Sharples Moderna Plastic Dog Bed
Moderna's Domus plastic dog bed in olive green, black or blue: over 98% recycled, BPA-free plastic, in five sizes from Small to Giant.
From£14.99
Ancol Small Bite Teddy Donut Sage
A 70cm sage sherpa fleece donut bed with raised sides, for small dogs, puppies and cats
£29.99
Machine Washable Self-Heating Plush Dog Mat, Six Colours, Two Sizes
A plush self-heating mat that actually goes in the washing machine, which most reflective mats do not, offered in six colours and a choice of small or large.
From£19.99
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
Common questions
- Do small dogs need a different type of bed to large dogs?
- In practical terms, yes — small breeds lose heat faster and often prefer an enclosed or bolstered design that helps with warmth and a sense of security, whereas some large breeds do fine on a flatter, open mat. Preference still varies by individual dog, though.
- Should I buy the smallest size of a large-breed bed range for my small dog?
- It's better to look for a bed genuinely designed and proportioned for small dogs specifically, since the smallest version of a large-breed range doesn't always give the same fit and cosy feel a small dog benefits from.
- How often should a dog bed be washed?
- Roughly every couple of weeks is a reasonable general guide, more often if your dog has an accident or gets muddy regularly. A removable, machine-washable cover makes this far easier than a bed that needs spot-cleaning or hand-washing.
- When should I replace my small dog's bed?
- Once the filling has visibly flattened and stopped springing back into shape, since it's no longer providing the cushioning it did when new. A small dog gets noticeably less support from a compressed bed than its appearance might suggest.
Related
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.