Are Raised Dog Beds Good for Dogs?

For many dogs, yes. A raised bed is a fabric or mesh panel stretched across a frame, a few centimetres off the ground. It's very good at some things and less good at others, so it often works best alongside a softer bed rather than instead of one.

What raised beds do well

• Cooler in warm weather. Air moves under the bed, so it doesn't trap heat like a thick cushion.
• Off cold or damp floors. Useful on tiles, in utility rooms, conservatories and kennels, and outside.
• Easy to keep clean. Mesh can usually be wiped or hosed down, and there's no stuffing to hold smells.
• Hard to destroy. With no stuffing or loose edges, some dogs that tear up cushion beds leave raised beds alone. No bed is chew-proof, though.
• Even support. A taut surface doesn't flatten in the middle over time like some cheap cushions.

Where other beds are better

• Older dogs and dogs with joint problems often do better on a thick orthopaedic or memory foam bed, which spreads their weight and is easier to settle on. Ask your vet if your dog has arthritis or mobility problems.
• Dogs who like to curl up or burrow usually prefer a bed with raised sides or a donut shape.
• Small or thin-coated dogs in cold homes may find a mesh bed chilly in winter. A blanket on top helps.
• Dogs who struggle to step up may need a low frame or another kind of bed.

Choosing a raised bed

• Size: measure your dog lying stretched out, then add some space.
• Weight limit: check the maker's maximum weight for the size you choose.
• Frame: steel and sturdy plastic frames are common. Check the feet won't scratch floors or slip.
• Replacement covers: a bed with a replaceable fabric panel lasts longer.
• Indoor or outdoor: if it will live outside, choose materials made for it.

A good combination

Many owners use a raised bed outdoors or in summer and an orthopaedic or cushion bed indoors in winter. If your dog has a favourite spot, try putting the new bed there first.

Browse dog beds or read how to choose a pet bed.