Dog beds are important in your pet’s life to keep them comfortable while they’re resting or sleeping. But have you ever wondered why dogs actually avoid their beds during the warmer months after running outside? It’s because traditional fabric beds that sit on the floor can trap heat and increase the risk of your dog overheating.
Dogs cannot sweat like humans can and therefore they have no natural reflex to keep their bodies cool. This means that their owners need to help keep them cool during summer. If you can’t keep your puppy’s core body temperature down, they could be subject to heatstroke or something more sinister.
Luckily for us, pet manufacturers are now coming out with elevated dog beds which allow cool air to flow underneath the bed which eliminates hot spots and ensures that your pet has somewhere to sleep without overheating.
We have put different models to the test and have found five of the best-elevated dog beds on the market for you to choose from. We’ve also written a buyer’s guide to help you choose the best bed for your pooch and answered some of the most common questions about these new beds.
In a hurry? Here are the top picks!
Best Elevated Dog Beds Reviewed
Overheating is no joke, particularly in dogs. If you cannot wait to get your paws on an elevated dog bed and simply want to know the best on the market, we have you covered. The Amazon Basics Cooling Elevated Pet Bed is the best that money can buy, and here are just a few of the benefits:
- Cleaning is incredibly easy
- The bed is durable and supportive for dogs with joint pain
- Choose between four sizes depending on your dog
- The mesh fabric is breathable to keep your dog cooler than a stuffed bed would
- Pros
- Four sizes depending on your dog’s breed.
- Very easy to clean.
- Supportive and durable.
- Breathable for the hottest months.
- Cons
- Customer service isn’t the most helpful.
First up on our list is the Amazon Basics lifted-up dog bed which is one of the least expensive models on the market, but is still extremely comfortable. There are five sizes to choose from, ranging from extra small to extra large. These all have different heights to accommodate your dog’s height which ranges from 7.3 inches to 8.9 inches.
The mesh material is breathable to ensure plenty of airflow from the floor upwards to your puppy. What’s more, the fabric is incredibly easy to clean with just tap water – get your hose on and rinse it down every now and then.
There are two colors to choose from – grey or green. This cheap elevated bed comes unassembled but it doesn’t take too long for you to put it together and the instructions are very easy to follow. The bed is lightweight and strong to continue supporting your dog for a long time to come.
- Pros
- Sturdy and supportive to your pooch.
- Four sizes to accommodate different dog breeds.
- Easy to install.
- Prevents injuries thanks to rubber feet.
- Cons
- Each bed can hold up to 68kg meaning that the largest dog breeds might not be under the weight limit.
Next up is an elevated dog bed from Veehoo with Textilene mesh and a powder-coated steel frame for excellent durability. The mesh allows a constant flow of air to surround your pooch and the legs are incredibly sturdy, supporting your dog throughout the continuous usage of this bed.
There are four sizes to choose from, with the small to large sizes all having a height of 7 inches. The extra-large, however, has a height of 9 inches and therefore is best suited for the large dog breeds. Each size can hold up to 150 pounds in weight.
This is another easy-to-assemble bed ensures that you don’t have to spend hours creating this dog bed. This means that your puppy can feel the effects within minutes of you opening the box. The feet have non-slip rubber on them to prevent the bed from moving as your dog gets on and off of the platform.
- Pros
- Padded bolster adds another layer of comfort.
- Can hold up to 200 pounds of weight.
- Easy to wash, even with bolster.
- One-year warranty.
- Cons
- Each size has the same height of 7 inches which might not be the best for large and heavy dogs.
Our favorite thing about the K&H PET PRODUCTS elevated dog bed is that it has a padded lip around three sides of the bed. Dogs tend to love resting their heads on elevated bolster pillows like this, automatically making this bed more comfortable for your dog.
There are three sizes to choose from depending on your dog, all with a height of 7 inches. Another great feature of this elevated pet bed is that it has been tested and verified to hold up to 200 pounds in weight – ideal for almost every dog breed out there!
We worried about the bolster not being as easy to clean as elevated dog beds without them, but K&H has calmed our fears. The bolster is covered in removable and washable fabric for your convenience. You also have the opportunity to use the one-year limited warranty should you find any issues with the bed.
- Pros
- Aids older dogs with joint pain.
- Assembled within minutes.
- Easy to wash with a hose and some soap.
- Cons
- A few people found that they received the wrong-sized pieces in the box.
PHYEX offers their elevated dog bed in three sizes – small, medium, and large – with varying heights ranging from 7.5 inches to 7.8 inches. The bed is sure to offer comfort and support which is ideal for dogs, particularly those that suffer from joint issues.
This lifted dog bed comes with everything that you need to assemble the bed so that you don’t need to dig out your toolbox and hope that you have the correct hardware. Assembly will take mere minutes so that your dog can be cooling down in record time.
No need for a washing machine with this bed! Simply spray some soap onto the mesh and hose it down outdoors. Your dog might even benefit from the cool water on the hottest of days. Just remember to hose it off outside to avoid a messy cleanup.
- Pros
- Only an elevated bed on our list with a shaded cover.
- Durable fabric and metal used.
- Keep your dog comfortable in style.
- Cons
- There are only two size options available.
The Floppy Dawg raised dog bed is the only option on our list that has a covering to offer your dog some shade from the sun. This could be ideal if your garden lacks shaded areas so that your dog can relax outside without getting too overheated.
The 1680D oxford fabric and steel frame are very durable and long-lasting, meaning that your pooch can enjoy this bed for much longer than other lower quality beds on the market.
There are only two sizes available to get this bed in, with two colors to choose from as well. Keep your dog cool in style with the Floppy Dawg Just Chillin’ bed!
Best Elevated Dog Bed Buyers Guide
Now you know what the market has to offer, let’s take a look into the most important features that you should consider before jumping into a purchase. Not every elevated dog bed will work with your puppy and some pooches tend to be much fussier than others.
Take our advice and read the buyer’s guide before rushing into a purchase to avoid choosing an elevated dog bed that will go unused in your home.
Size and Height
Just like with any dog bed, your elevated model will need to be large enough to fit your dog and hold its weight. Opting for a bed that is too small for your pooch will leave them uncomfortable and potentially lead to them breaking the bed.
Likewise, getting a bed too large for your small breed of dog might deter them from using it and be a waste of money as larger beds tend to cost more. However, if your dog is still a young puppy with plenty of growing still to do, opting for a larger bed can save you money in the long run.
As elevated beds reach up from the ground so your dog needs to jump up onto the platform. This isn’t too much of a gap so large dogs won’t have an issue, but small pups might need a lower bed to comfortably get onto the platform.
Take this into consideration before choosing the bed for your pet. As a rule of thumb, taller beds should be used by larger dogs, and shorter beds reserved for dogs with little legs. Dogs with joint issues might also need a lower bed as they cannot jump as far as their younger counterparts.
Material
The majority of elevated dog beds are flat and therefore won’t harbor as much bacteria, fur, and moisture. However, you do still need to consider the material of the elevated dog bed in terms of breathability.
The entire point of an elevated bed is to keep air flowing around your dog in every direction. However, if the material used has a tight mesh that lets little to no air through there is no point using it as it won’t be as effective.
Woven mesh material is the best to look for as it’s very breathable and promotes excellent air circulation. This material is also supportive and waterproof so your dog can use it even after their baths.
Durability
Durability is incredibly important when you don’t want to waste money purchasing lots of different beds. There are a few components that you need to focus on when it comes to durability.
First is the metal frame. This should be sturdy enough to withstand the weight of your dog without bending over time. Second, the material of the platform should be durable enough that it remains supportive for years to come.
Some less durable materials will become less supportive as time goes on, meaning that they lose elasticity and bow. This will lower your dog towards the floor and make the bed less effective at keeping them cool.
Comfort
Of course, comfort is key when it comes to dog beds, and elevated models are no different. Although mesh beds are not going to be as comfortable as a fluffy fabric bed, this doesn’t mean that the elevated dog bed is automatically uncomfortable.
Check customer reviews to see whether previous customers have found that the beds are comfortable or not. This will be the best way to determine whether that elevated bed is worth your time and money or not.
Ease of Cleaning
While dogs don’t sweat in a conventional way, they do still sweat through their paws. This is just one of the smells that will cover the elevated dog bed as your dog continues to use it. The good news is that elevated dog beds are much easier to clean than regular beds.
However, some are still easier to clean than others so make sure you check whether the bed that you’re looking at has a simple cleaning routine that you can follow.
Conclusion for Best Elevated Dog Bed
An elevated dog bed helps cool your dog off faster. In the summer months, if you noticed your dog trying to sit on a cool spot that looks uncomfortable, like cool tile, consider getting them a raised dog bed to cool off faster. Since the bed is lifted off the ground, air draft will flow underneath the bed and keep your dog cool. We hope that you enjoyed our reviews!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of an elevated dog bed?
There are plenty of benefits that come with using elevated dog beds, the first being what we’ve already mentioned – they can keep your dog cooler than a traditional stuffed bed. They also don’t harbor as much bacteria as stuffed beds and are easier to maintain.
Thanks to the fact that they’re durable and waterproof, you can use these beds both indoors and outdoors. The support that the mesh offers is excellent for older dogs and those that may suffer from joint issues such as arthritis.
Are elevated dog beds better?
There is nothing wrong, per se, with a traditional dog bed. They are often more comfortable and stylish to fit in with your interior decor. However, there are plenty of benefits that come with elevated dog beds.
Many pet owners prefer to use elevated dog beds until the weather begins to cool. Dog’s like to be warm and cozy too, which is the ideal job for a traditional stuffed dog bed. So, we don’t think that either dog bed is better than the other.