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If your dog tends to smell or have accidents, it’s really important to get it a bed that can be washed quickly and easily. Even if you think your dog is clean, its bed needs to be washed from time to time, simply because of how heavily it gets used.
It turns out that practically all modern dog beds are washable, and more than that, most beds have covers that can be thrown into the washing machine. Even if a bet isn’t strictly machine-washable, it can usually be washed by hand with rags and soapy water.
With dog breeds that are known to drool and be “stinky”, such as the Saint Bernard, you’ll undoubtedly need to wash its bedding more often. Conversely, you’ll find that you don’t need to wash the bed of a clean breed as often. Regardless of how smelly your dog is, though, it deserves the best in practical comfort.
Choosing a washable dog bed might seem like a simple enough task. But there are a ton of options out there, 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 washable dog beds across a range of different budgets.
We have tested all of these beds, and all give excellent value for the cost.
Our Top Washable Dog Bed Picks
Based on our own testing, research, and experience, here are our top selections:
- FurHaven Plush Ball Pet Bed
- Majestic Pet Contemporary Lounge Dog Bed
- FurHaven Deluxe Ultra-Plush Mattress Bed
- BarksBar Gray Orthopedic Dog Bed
- Bully Beds Original Orthopedic Dog Bed
- Tall Tails K9COT Elevated PVC Dog Bed
1. FurHaven Plush Ball Pet Bed
The Plush Ball Pet Bed by FurHaven is soft on noses and paws and provides premium comfort. Out of 130+ customer reviews, it has a 4.9/5 average rating on the FurHaven website.
What helps earn this bed the #1 spot on our list is how wash-friendly it is: both the zippered cover and inner liner are machine-washable, helping you achieve a thorough, deep clean.
It’s designed for dogs that like to nest, but it’s great for other sleep types as well. A stretchy interior liner means the bed can be shaped by your dog to suit the sleep position it prefers.
Additional Info
The sleep surface of the Plush Ball Pet Bed is made of plush faux fur that gives your dog a warm and cozy rest. It’s available in small, medium, large, and XL sizes, so you should have no issue finding a size that suits your pup.
The bed is very shapeable, thanks to a stretchy inner liner and six equal-sided panels that are easily squished to fit any area. The inner liner is resistant to puncturing from claws and makes it easy for your dog to burrow.
The bed is filled with 100% recycled insulating fluffy fill. A zippered design allows you to add your own filling such as shredded foam, old clothes, beanbag, or feathers. You can replace the existing filling or add to it.
If the filling is not removed, the inner liner should be hand-washed. Shake loose debris off the cover before washing it, use cold water and tumble-dry. Do not use bleach.
Get a visual of how this bed works in the video below:
Many dog owners get more than one of these beds. Your dog may love it so much that it’ll never want to get out!
2. Majestic Pet Contemporary Lounge Dog Bed
This luxurious bed by Majestic Pet will make your dog feel like a king or a queen. It features full bolsters on each side and an opening on one side that makes it easy for your dog to get in and out.
It’s also a very wash-friendly dog bed: the slipcover is machine-washable, and the heavy-duty YKK zippers can withstand years of washing and use.
The Contemporary Lounge Bed is designed to be warm, comfortable, and supportive of practically any sleeping position your dog prefers.
Features
One great thing about this bed is that the center cushion is reversible, revealing soft sheepskin on the other side. You can reverse the cushion according to your dog’s preference or whether the environment is warmer or cooler.
The bed is stuffed with high-loft, premium polyester fiber fill, while the outside material is made of a polyester/cotton twill.
The machine-washable slipcover can be put in a gentle wash at a cold temperature and tumble dried; bleaching, wringing, ironing or dry cleaning are not recommended.
The bed comes in small (23″x17″x7″), medium (32:”x27″x10″) and large (38″x33″x10″) sizes. Measure your dog to be sure, and when in doubt, go one size up.
The particular design pattern of the bed pictured above (navy blue) comes in black, gray, mocha, and yellow colours as well. Over ten additional texture patterns are available for the Contemporary Lounge Bed.
3. FurHaven Deluxe Ultra-Plush Mattress Bed
Not a fan of donuts or loungers? No problem. The Deluxe Ultra-Plush Mattress Bed by FurHaven has a simple rectangle shape and has a near perfect average customer rating on the FurHaven store.
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. Clear wash instructions are provided, and the foam can be spot cleaned with mild soap as needed.
This “step-on” mat design is easy for any dog to get onto, including older and disabled dogs.
Features
This bed offers several different mattress types: high-loft fiber filling, convoluted orthopedic, full-support foam, memory foam, and cooling gel foam. If you’re not sure which type to get, 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.
This bed is an open canvas that can accommodate just about any sleeping position for your dog. It comes in small (max 20 lbs), medium (max 35 lbs), large (max 55 lbs), jumbo (max 95 lbs), and jumbo plus (max 125 lbs) sizes.
We find this bed very easy to clean, and we like how supportive it is without being difficult for a dog to get on and off.
4. BarksBar Gray Orthopedic Dog Bed
The BarksBar Gray Orthopedic Dog Bed shares some similarities with the Majestic Pet Contemporary Lounge Bed we reviewed above, but it has a unique style. It is a very popular bed.
It uses premium, grooved, human-grade orthopedic memory foam, which many would argue is the best mattress type a bed can have. This foam provides deep cushioning and helps relieve pressure on joints.
The bed also features a cotton-padded rim cushion that can contour to your dog’s head and neck, bringing the comfort factor to the next level.
Of course, the bed is easy to clean and wash. The polyester, quilted cover is machine-washable, and the bed can be spot cleaned, wiped and vacuumed as needed.
Additional Info
The orthopedic foam of the BarksBar Gray Bed is 3.5″ thick; it does not lose its shape over time, so combined with the contouring ability of the rim cushion, the bed as a whole will contour to every inch of your dog’s body.
The quilted design of the cover can be a great complement to your home decor. The cover should be washed on a gentle or delicate cycle and air-dried for best results.
The BarksBar Gray Orthopedic Dog Bed is great for dogs of all ages, but it’s particularly beneficial for older dogs with mobility issues. Small, medium and large sizes are available.
Many dog owners have had a lot of success with this bed after trying and failing with many other beds before it. If your dog is picky when it comes to where it sleeps, give this one a try — you may be pleasantly surprised to see it develop a great liking for it!
5. Bully Beds Original Orthopedic Dog Bed
Bully Beds is a company that specializes in dog beds for large breeds, so if you own a large dog, listen up.
This is Bully Beds’ original dog bed offering; it’s very popular and has an average customer rating of 4.9/5 out of an astounding 2500+ reviews on the Bully Beds store.
The Bully Beds Original has a removable, washable microfiber cover. It’s also waterproof and orthopedic, with CertiPUR-US Certified foam that is specially designed for large dogs. The foam is free of various harmful substances including TCEP flame retardants, heavy metals, CFCs and formaldehyde.
The bed comes in medium, large, XL and XXL sizes, as well as gray, chocolate and tan colours. No matter how big your dog is, the Bully Bed Original can accommodate it.
Features
Aside from the features just mentioned, the Bully Beds Original uses a special memory foam with a 4.5 lb density. There is a breathable, internal waterproof cover that accommodates spills and other accidents.
Other features of the bed include:
- a chew-resistant cover
- a non-slip base
- premium cover accent piping that enhances the aesthetic of the bed
- a generous 20-year no-flat warranty
Why is this dog bed so great? In our experience, most dogs take a liking to it quickly. The construction is very durable — the foam holds up extremely well to wear and tear. The cover washes nicely and is easy to take off and put back on.
6. Tall Tails K9COT Elevated PVC Dog Bed
The Tall Tails K9COT Elevated Dog Bed is an excellent washable dog bed for chewers. Its anodized aluminum frame is not only chew-proof, but also resistant to rust and corrosion.
Moreover, both the frame and the mesh pad of the bed can be easily wiped clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent. It is possible under certain conditions to wash the PVC material in the washing machine, but it’s not at all necessary.
The K9COT comes in medium (30″x19″), large (36″x23″), XL (42″x28″) and double-XL (50″x36″) sizes. To determine the right size for your dog, measure it from its nose to the base of its tail.
Features
The K9COT Elevated PVC Dog Bed is comfortable, durable, and conforms to your dog’s preferred sleeping positions. It’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, keeping your dog off hard surfaces while providing orthopedic support for joints.
The aluminum frame of the bed adds a great deal of stability to the build and is lightweight. The construction of the frame also hides the fabric edges, which is another layer of protection against chewing.
The PVC fabric of the K9COT makes for a surface that is very easy to clean, especially for messy dogs and for dogs that tend to have accidents.
To top it all off, there’s a lifetime guarantee on the chew-proof frame and a 1-year warranty on the PVC surface. For more information, go here.
This bed is great for dog owners who want an effective, practical dog bed and aren’t so concerned with aesthetics.
Buying Guide
Let’s face it: dog’s can be pretty dirty. That’s why its dog bed will get covered with fur, dust, and other types of dirt over time.
Periodic cleaning is very important for a dog bed. Cleaning ensures that the bed smells good, feels as comfortable as possible for the dog, and remains safe for your dog’s health.
In terms of cleanliness, nothing brings greater relief than a good dose of water. Fur, dust, and grime won’t be able to escape it. That’s why if you’re planning to buy a dog bed, it’s practically a must to get one that’s washable.
Have a look at these considerations when buying a washable dog bed:
Is It Bleach-Safe?
Your dog carries dirt that can end up staining its bed; this dirt can transfer to it from the dog’s feet or fur. Aside from this, saliva might leave dark spots as well.
Cleaning a washable dog bed that’s dirty enough will require the use of bleach. But the problem is not all dog beds sit well with bleach in the washing machine. Some develop white patches if bleach is introduced.
Ensure that the washable parts of a dog bed are bleach-safe before buying it. A bleach-safe dog bed won’t discolor or degrade, regardless of the amount of bleach you use.
Is It Machine-Washable?
A washing machine can pull out the fiber threads that make up a fabric. What causes this complication is its rotational motion, which can cause damage to any material that’s washed — sheets, clothing, and even dog beds.
To avoid this problem, most dog bed manufacturers use covers, liners and cores that are machine-washable. These materials have fibers that slide on the washing machine’s drum, meaning that they can’t be pulled out and turned into ugly-looking strands.
But that’s not all. If a dog bed material is machine-washable, it’s likely protected from other types of washing machine damage including:
- tears
- rips
- fiber erosion
- long-term fading
Can It Be Washed With Hot Water?
Fleas, bed bugs, and germs can thrive on a dog bed. That’s why you should disinfect it every month, and this may have to be done with hot water.
But how hot should the water be? The water should be at least 60 degrees Celsius or even hotter.
However, this can cause shrinking or fiber erosion. That’s why it’s important to determine if a washable dog bed can withstand hot water.
A washable dog bed that has this trait will have a label that indicates the temperature that it can handle. We recommend choosing one that you can wash at 60°C.
A washable dog bed that can tolerate hot water is very valuable, since it won’t shrink or degrade. Use hot water for washing as much as you can in order to protect your dog from developing skin and other health conditions.
Microbial, Fungal and Bacterial Resistance
You have to anticipate situations where you can’t dry a dog bed quickly, such as during power outages when your dryer is out of commission, or on rainy or snowy days when outdoor drying isn’t possible.
Delayed drying can cause funguses, bacteria, and microbes to thrive on the inner lining and cover of dog beds. This might cause them to be odorous or make your dog itchy.
That’s why you should get a washable dog bed that’s resistant to fungus, bacteria and microbes. Manufacturers achieve this in a variety of ways such as:
- putting an additional lining between the cover and inner lining
- treating the fabric with zinc-oxide nanoparticles (ZnO)
- using materials that have inherent, natural resistance such as wool, cotton, silk, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and nylon
Removable Parts
When cleaning a dog bed, it’s best to expose the foam and the inner sides of the cover. Doing this is impossible with a dog bed that doesn’t come with removable parts — or, in other words, is one whole piece.
The best washable dog bed for you to get is one that comes with removable components: covers, lining, foam, pockets, etc. This will ensure a very thorough cleaning.
In addition, you can replace removable components with newer ones as needed. This means that you can customize the dog as much as you like. For example, you can replace a worn old cover with a newer cover, and then wash it.
Other things to consider when buying a washable dog bed are its size, design, and durability.
Conclusion
Before buying a washable dog bed that you’re interested in, make sure that it meets at least three of the conditions discussed in the buying guide.
The most important considerations of all when buying a washable dog bed are hot water tolerance, bleach tolerance, and resistance to bacteria/microbes/funguses.
Ultimately, the best washable bed for your dog will depend on its body type, habits, and individual needs. At the same time, it’s possible that your dog will like many or even all of the beds listed here, so don’t overthink finding the “perfect” bed.
When you decide to start your research, the dog beds reviewed above along with our buying guide will help you come to a great choice.
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 washable dog bed are you interested in for your dog? Do you have any questions? Feel free to leave a comment below.
