The reason vet bedding turns up in kennels, whelping boxes and recovery crates rather than a folded duvet is dull and practical: it stays where you put it, and it survives being washed several times a week without turning into a thin, matted sheet. That is the whole job. An animal that cannot easily reposition itself needs a surface that does not slide out from under it and does not need replacing every fortnight.

Weight is what makes the difference. At 1,200g per square metre this is a dense fleece, and the density is what keeps the pile standing up after repeated hot washes rather than crushing flat. Underneath, a ribbed rubber backing grips lino, tiles and the plastic tray of a crate, which matters enormously for a dog with a weak back end or one coming round from an anaesthetic. The edges are fray-resistant, so a piece cut to fit a particular crate does not unravel along the cut.

• 1,200g/m2 fleece, dense enough to stay lofted through repeated washing
• Ribbed rubber underside that grips smooth floors and crate trays
• Machine washable at 40C and quick to dry
• Fray-resistant edges, so a trimmed piece does not unravel
• Twelve sizes, from 50 x 50cm up to 120 x 120cm
• Colourways include Olive/Magnolia and Indigo/Magnolia

Worth knowing. We have previously described the range as topping out at 90 x 75cm. It does not, and the size list runs to 120 x 120cm.

What the options mean. Sold in sizes from 50 x 50cm to 10m x 150cm — £13.99 to £267.99.

Who it's for: Dogs recovering from surgery, whelping bitches, senior dogs losing their footing on hard floors, and anyone lining a crate that gets used daily.