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When we think of dogs getting a comfortable sleep, we’re likely to imagine large dogs, but small dogs are no different in this regard.
If you own a small dog breed such as a dachshund, French Bulldog or Beagle, you’ll want to get them a quality bed that will serve them well for a long time. Your small dog deserves the best in practical comfort.
It’s worth noting that because small dogs can weigh much less than large breeds, their beds tend to endure less wear and tear, extending their life even more.
Choosing a dog bed might seem like a simple enough task. But there are a ton of options out there on the market, so how do you narrow them down to the best picks?
Don’t worry — this article is just what you need. We’ll review and compare our picks for the best dog beds for small breeds across a range of different budgets.
We have tested all of these beds, and all give excellent value for the cost.
Our Top Dog Bed Picks For Small Breeds
Based on our own testing, research, and experience, here are our top selections:
- Majestic Pet Sherpa Bagel Dog Bed
- Tall Tails Dream Chaser Donut Bed
- FurHaven Deluxe Ultra-Plush Mattress Bed
- Majestic Pet Round Dog Bed
- FurHaven Snuggery Burrow Bed
1. Majestic Pet Sherpa Bagel Dog Bed
This excellent bagel bed by Majestic Pet is designed to be comfortable and stylish, and is ideal for small breeds that like to curl up and snuggle while they sleep. In fact, this is the kind of bed you’re likely to imagine for a small dog.
This bagel bed is stuffed with high-loft, premium polyester fiber fill. The full bolster helps keep your dog secure and serves as a great head rest. The bed also promotes a straightening of the spine.
The bed comes in small, medium, large and XL sizes. Naturally, we recommend the small size for your small breed, but if you want a little extra room, you can consider medium.
Features
The Majestic Pet Sherpa Bagel Bed is woven from durable cotton twill, with a sherpa center. The base is made from a 300/600 denier fabric that is water-resistant, thus helping protect from spills or other accidents.
The upholstery fabric is made from premium materials and is resistant to wear and tear.
Note that the small and medium sizes of this bed do not include a zippered removable slipcover. They weigh 1.81 lbs and 7 lbs, respectively.
What’s great about this bagel bed is that it comes in a multitude of different patterns and colours, making it easy to find the perfect aesthetic for you and your dog.
2. Tall Tails Dream Chaser Donut Bed
This cute, well-made donut bed by Tall Tails is specifically designed with small dogs (up to 25 lbs) in mind. It’s ideal for dogs that like curling, burrowing and nesting.
Features
The Dream Chaser Donut Bed has a polyester top & fill, sides and bottom that are 35% cotton and 65% polyester, and a non-leather patch. At just 18″ x 18″, it’s easy to carry around so your small pup can rest in between adventures.
One neat thing about this bed is that the exterior line is reversible; one side is warm and the other side is cool. This makes it easy to change the bedding surface with the seasons.
Tall Tails suggests that you pair this bed with a Tall Tails blanket to create the perfect “dreamy” environment. This is something you should consider if your dog prefers a lot of warmth.
The bed is machine washable; use a cold, gentle cycle, and tumble dry on low. To browse the available colours, visit this page.
3. FurHaven Deluxe Ultra-Plush Mattress Bed
Not a fan of bagels or donuts? No problem. The Deluxe Ultra-Plush Mattress Bed by FurHaven has a simple rectangle shape and has a near perfect average customer rating.
This “step-on” mat design is easy for any dog to get onto, including older and disabled dogs. The bed is made of very soft faux fur, with a suedine gusset that is dyed to match, and unlike most other beds, both the core and cover are washable.
The bed comes in small, medium, large, jumbo, and jumbo plus sizes. Chances are you’ll want the small (20″ x 15″ x 3″) or medium size for your small dog.
Features
Beyond what is mentioned above, this bed offers several different mattress types: high-loft fiber filling, convoluted orthopedic, full-support foam, memory foam, and cooling gel foam.
The fiber filling is ideal for shaping and nestling into, and this perhaps would be a good choice for many small dogs. But it’s up to you to determine which you think would be best for your pup. You can discuss it with customer support here.
Note that FurHaven uses CertiPUR-US foam, made in the USA and without harmful heavy metals, flame retardants, or other potentially dangerous chemicals.
Clear wash instructions are provided. The foam can be spot cleaned with mild soap as needed.
This bed is an open canvas that can accommodate just about any sleeping position for your small dog.
4. Majestic Pet Round Dog Bed
We now bring you another high-quality dog bed by Majestic Pet. Their round dog bed is comfortable, stylish and functional — ideal for small dogs that appreciate a safe and secure place to rest.
This bed is stuffed with high-loft, premium polyester fiber fill. Its heavy-duty waterproof base allows you to take the bed practically anywhere, indoors or outdoors.
The bed comes in small, medium and large sizes. We recommend the small size for small dogs up to 25 lbs.
Features
The base of the Majestic Pet Round Bed is made of heavy-duty 300/600 Denier fabric that is waterproof.
The zippered slipcover of this bed (easily removable and machine-washable) is woven from outdoor-treated polyester that is durable, resistant to chewing, stains and water, and provides 1000 hours of UV protection.
This bed is very similar to Majestic Pet’s rectangle bed, but of course, it’s round. Even still, small dogs won’t be at risk of falling off the sides owing to their size.
The small version of this bed has a diameter of 30″ and weighs 3 lbs. As is the case with other Majestic Pet beds, it comes in an array of different colours and over 20 different patterns, so it’s easy to find the perfect look for you and your dog.
5. FurHaven Snuggery Burrow Bed
The Snuggery bed is different from all the others reviewed above. The top part of the bed functions as a soft, shapeable blanket, which makes it great for small dogs who like to burrow and snuggle.
It’s basically a dog bed with an integrated blanket that is closed on one side. Your dog can burrow its head completely under the cover, or lie the other way with its head and front part out in the open.
The bed comes in 18″, 26″, 35″ and 44″ sizes. We recommend the 18″ size for small dogs up to 15 lbs (e.g. Chihuahua) and the 26″ size for dogs up to 30 lbs (e.g. French Bulldog).
Features
The FurHaven Snuggery bed is lined with faux sheepskin. A plastic hoop makes it easy for your dog to get under the hood.
The bed offers three different mattress types: orthopedic foam, memory foam, and cooling gel foam. The cooling gel foam is perhaps a good choice because it will help prevent your dog from getting too hot under the blanket.
The zippered cover is removable and machine-washable, but the foam and plastic tubing are not.
Even if your dog isn’t sleeping, this bed is a pleasant retreat that provides warmth, comfort and privacy. It’s available in espresso, cream, blue, pink, and gray colours, and has very high customer ratings.
Buying Guide
Finding the perfect dog bed for your small dog can be a challenge; a quick search on the internet will bring up hundreds of options.
What is the best way to sort through all of those options and find the best one for your fur baby?
Every dog is different and they each have different needs for their beds. Before purchasing a bed, take some time to note how your dog sleeps, if it likes to burrow or curl up while resting, if it has allergies, and so forth.
When looking at potential dog beds, keep these seven factors in mind:
1. Bolsters
Bolsters are raised sides on a dog bed. They help to create a cozy sleeping spot for your dog.
Dogs are den animals, so they tend to feel safe and comfortable in a “den”. This can be accomplished by resting in a crate or even by curling up in a bed that has bolsters on it.
A bed with bolsters will be especially beneficial if your dog prefers to burrow while it sleeps.
2. Comfort
Most small dogs do not have a lot of extra “padding” or fur on their bodies, so it is often uncomfortable for them to rest on the floor or on a hard bed.
If your dog does not find its bed comfortable, it may refuse to sleep in it. Try to find a bed that your dog will find comfortable and cozy.
3. Durability
Dogs are natural chewers, diggers, and scratchers. This is why you do not want to get a bed that your dog will rip apart in a matter of minutes.
If your dog is a very heavy chewer or digger, look for a bed that has a chew-resistant warranty to make sure that it lasts long. For best results, consider beds that are made with polyester fabric, ripstop nylon, are double-layered, or have heavy-duty zippers.
4. Filling
There are a lot of different filings that are commonly found in dog beds. Some of the most popular ones are polyester fiberfill, foam, or cedar shavings.
Polyester fiberfill is affordable and hypoallergenic. The filling is great for small dogs because large dogs tend to compress this filling, but smaller, lighter dogs will be offered adequate support from it.
Foam beds are great for dogs who have arthritis or other conditions that result in joint pain. These beds are thicker and offer more support
Cedar shavings have a strong scent, which may irritate your dog, but a great benefit is that it repels fleas. You can also look specifically for a bed that has replacement fillers so that you can simply buy a new filler instead of buying a whole new bed when your dog’s bed gets worn down.
4. Heating
Small dogs are more prone to getting very cold due to their lower amounts of mass and insulation. If you live in an area that experiences a lot of cold weather and your dog shivers from the low temperature, you may want to consider getting a heated bed.
A heated dog bed is also great for dogs with arthritis and circulation issues. Just be sure to check that the bed’s cord is chew-resistant!
5. Size
A lot of small dogs like a smaller bed that makes them feel secure. Avoid large beds that are designed for big dogs, such as a big dog cushion.
On the other hand, some small dogs like to spread out while they sleep. It’s definitely worth keeping in mind how your dog likes to sleep when purchasing a bed.
A good guide when selecting a bed is to measure your dog from its nose to the base of its tail while it is in its usual sleeping position (on its side, curled up in a ball, spread out, etc.) and then add about 8 to 12 inches to that number. When in doubt, round up a size to ensure maximum comfort for your furry friend.
6. Washable
Dogs can sometimes get a little dirty and stinky. Muddy paws, rolling around in the grass outside, and bathroom accidents are all some of the many ways that your dog’s bed can get a bit messy.
Pet experts recommend that you wash your dog’s bed every one to two weeks. If your dog sheds a lot or has allergies, it might be beneficial for you to wash its bedding more often.
To make this easier, when you are selecting a bed for your small dog, look for one that is machine-washable.
7. Waterproof
While it is not necessarily a requirement, a waterproof cover is great if your dog is prone to accidents — for example, an older dog who struggles with incontinence.
With a waterproof bed, you can wipe spills or accidents clean, or if necessary, it can be thrown into the washing machine.
Conclusion
The best dog bed for your small breed will depend on its body type, habits, and individual needs. But it’s possible that your dog will like most or even all of the beds listed here, so don’t overthink finding the “perfect” bed.
It’s also worth noting that because small breeds are best suited for smaller beds that inherently cost less, you should feel more free to invest in something of higher quality that will last.
When you decide to buy one, the dog beds reviewed above along with our buying guide will help you come to a good decision.
It’s also beneficial to read customer reviews of dog beds and/or get the opinion of experts, if possible. This can help you a great deal in the decision-making process.
Thanks for reading this guide. Which bed are you interested in for your small dog? Do you have any questions? Feel free to leave a comment below.
