How to Choose a Dog Bed, Cat Bed or Crate: Buying Guide

This guide is for dog and cat owners shopping for a bed, a crate or a crate pad. It covers how to measure your pet, which bed shape suits the way your pet sleeps, what separates foam from fiber fill, how to size and use a crate, and when a heated bed makes sense for a cat.

The short answer: measure your pet before you shop and buy for adult size. Dogs that sprawl need a long, flat bed, while pets that curl up usually settle best in a smaller bed with a raised rim. Large and older dogs do better on thick, firm foam, and every bed should have a cover you can wash. For a crate, pick one your dog can stand up and turn around in, and use a divider while a puppy grows.

How we chose: picks are based on brand specs, the product listing and public reviews from named outlets linked on each product page. We have not tested these products ourselves.

How to choose a pet bed or crate

Measure your pet first

Weight ranges on a label are a useful cross-check, but body length matters more, because a long, lean dog and a short, stocky dog can weigh the same. For a bed, measure your dog from the tip of the nose to the tail. A dog that likes to stretch out could need a bed as much as 12 inches longer than that nose-to-tail length (PetsRadar).

For a crate, take two measurements with your dog standing: height from the top of the head to the floor, and length from the nose to the tail. The AKC suggests adding 3 to 4 inches to each to get the crate height and length you need (AKC). Then compare those numbers with the brand’s size chart, not just the weight range.

Match the bed shape to how your pet sleeps

Watch your pet nap for a few days. Some dogs curl into a tight ball and others stretch out and roll around. Dogs that curl up do not need as big a bed, and a large open bed can leave them feeling exposed or chilly (PetsRadar). That is where round, raised-rim beds (often sold as donut or calming beds) earn their place: the rim gives a pet something to lean into. Sprawlers and big dogs usually do better on a flat rectangle, and a bolster or built-in pillow along one side gives a dog somewhere to rest its head.

Cats are similar. Most curl up to sleep, so a small round bed with soft walls tends to suit them better than a large flat mat.

Support: foam versus fiber fill

Fiber-filled beds are soft and light, and they are fine for small dogs and cats. They do compress over time, and the center can flatten under a heavy dog. Foam holds its shape better. The AKC recommends orthopedic beds for senior dogs and dogs with joint problems, and notes they can also help younger dogs; egg-crate foam and memory foam are the usual materials (AKC).

When you compare foam beds, look at three things: how thick the foam is, whether the brand backs it with a no-flatten or shape warranty, and whether the foam carries a third-party certification such as CertiPUR-US. A low, flat entry also matters for stiff or older dogs, since climbing over a tall edge can be hard for them.

Covers and cleaning

Beds get dirty fast. The AKC suggests a removable cover you can wash weekly and points out that machine washable and dryable beds matter most for older dogs with incontinence and puppies that are still house training (AKC). Read the care label before you buy: some small beds go in the washer whole, while larger beds usually have a zip-off cover over a foam core that should not be washed.

Also check the difference between water resistant and waterproof. A water-resistant cover sheds a spill but can let urine soak through to the foam. If your pet has accidents, add a waterproof liner under the cover.

Chewers and bedding safety

None of the beds or pads in this guide are chew proof. If a dog tears into a bed and swallows stuffing or fabric, that can cause a blockage, so remove any bed your dog starts to shred and talk to your vet if you think something was swallowed. For a puppy that destroys bedding, a thin washable mat (or nothing in the crate for a while) is often the practical choice. The AKC also cautions against electric warming beds for dogs known to chew and recommends supervision with them (AKC).

Choosing a crate type

The AKC describes four main crate types (AKC):

• Wire: the sturdiest option, with good air flow and visibility. Many fold flat, and a cover adds privacy.
• Plastic: easy to clean and useful if you plan to fly with your dog.
• Soft or fabric: light and economical for small dogs that will not chew it, but harder to clean after an accident.
• Wood: doubles as furniture, but it is heavy, costly and harder to clean.

The Humane Society says a crate should be large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in, and for a growing puppy you should choose a size that fits its adult dimensions (Humane World for Animals). A divider panel lets you shrink the space while the puppy is small and open it up as it grows. Other features worth having: a removable pan that slides out for cleaning, two doors so the crate fits more spots in your home, and secure latches.

Using a crate well

A crate should feel like a safe, comfortable spot. The Humane Society advises never using it as punishment, says puppies under six months should not stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time, and warns that a crate is not a long-term confinement solution (Humane World for Animals). Add a washable pad that fits the crate floor so it lies flat, and take off tags or loose collars that could catch on wire when your dog is crated without you watching.

Cats and heated beds

Cats like it warmer than people do. Veterinarian Aine Seavers notes that the feline thermoneutral zone (the range where a cat does not spend energy keeping warm or cool) is about 30 to 38 degrees C, roughly 86 to 100 degrees F, well above typical room temperature, and that warmth can bring real comfort to older cats with arthritis (Veterinary Ireland Journal). A heated bed is one way to offer that indoors.

If you go that route, look for a low-wattage, thermostat-controlled heater rather than one that runs hot, a heater that can be removed so the cover can be washed, and an independent safety listing. Keep an unheated spot nearby so your cat can move away from the warmth, keep the cord away from chewers, and ask your vet before using one with a very young, recovering or immobile pet that cannot move off the heat on its own.

Our picks

Big Barker 7″ Headrest Edition Orthopedic Dog Bed, Large

For large and senior dogs that need firm support. Every size has 7 inches of CertiPUR-US certified foam, and the brand’s 10-year no-flatten warranty covers foam that loses more than 10% of its shape. The Large measures 48 x 30 inches and is listed for dogs of about 50 to 70 lbs. The cover is machine washable and water resistant but not waterproof, and there are no small sizes.

Best Friends by Sheri Original Calming Donut Bed, Small 23″

For small dogs and cats that curl up and like to lean on something. The 23 inch size is recommended for pets up to 25 lbs, has a raised rim for head and neck support and a water and dirt resistant bottom, and the whole bed can go in the washer on gentle. The fiber-filled center is softer and less supportive than foam, and it is not a bed for chewers.

K&H Pet Products Thermo-Kitty Heated Cat Bed, Small 16″

For cats that hunt for warm spots, especially in cooler homes. It uses a 4 watt thermostatic heater that K&H says warms the surface about 10 to 15 degrees F above room temperature when empty, inside 6 inch soft foam walls. The heater zips out so the bed works unheated in summer, and it is safety listed by MET Labs to UL 499. The 16 inch size can be snug for big cats, and the walls may be awkward for cats with stiff joints.

MidWest iCrate Double Door Folding Dog Crate, 36″

For owners who want one wire crate that can last from puppyhood to adulthood. The 36 inch size is listed for dogs of about 41 to 70 lbs, and it comes with a divider panel, a removable leak-proof pan and rubber feet. It has front and side doors, sets up without tools and folds flat. Open wire offers little privacy without a cover, and it is a basic crate, not one built for strong escape artists.

MidWest QuietTime Deluxe Ombre Swirl Pet Bed, for 36″ Crates

For softening the floor of a wire crate at low cost. This size is made to fit 36 inch crates, with a plush polyester top, a tufted polyfiber cushion and a non-skid bottom, and it is machine washable and dryable. It is thin, so it is not orthopedic support, and it is neither chew resistant nor waterproof.

Coolaroo Original Elevated Cooling Dog Bed, Large, Nutmeg

For dogs that run warm or spend time outside. This raised cot lifts the dog about 8 inches off the ground on a powder-coated steel frame, with knitted HDPE fabric that lets air move underneath. The Large frame is 51 x 31.5 inches and rated for dogs up to 100 lbs, with sizes from Small to X-Large. You clean it with a hose or mild soap and water, not in the washing machine.

K&H Pet Products EZ Mount Window Bed for Cats

For cats that like to watch the world from a window. This half-pod bed attaches to glass with suction cups that the brand says hold up to 50 lbs, so there is no shelf or drilling. It needs a solid pane at least 27 inches wide and 11 inches high, and it comes with a washable pad. Test the hold by hand before your cat jumps in, and recheck the suction cups often.

Kuranda Walnut PVC Chewproof Elevated Dog Bed

A US-made raised cot with a PVC frame that tucks the fabric edges away from teeth, a long-running choice for dogs that tear up stuffed beds. Made in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Rated for dogs up to 100 lbs, in six sizes from 25 x 18 in to 50 x 36 in. One trade-off: no padding unless you add a pad.

K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored Padded Dog Crate Bed

A padded crate bed built for dogs that shred ordinary pads: the fabric edges are tucked inside an aluminum frame and the ripstop sling has a water-resistant backing. Aluminum frame with powder-coated corners covers the fabric edges so they are hard to grab and chew. Heavy-duty polyester ripstop sling with PU backing and about 1.5 in of recycled fiberfill padding. One trade-off: thin padding compared with foam beds.

Petmate Pet Porter Plastic Travel Kennel (cats and small dogs)

A classic hard plastic kennel with a steel door that works as a vet-trip carrier for cats and small dogs and meets most airline cargo rules. Smaller Pet Porter sizes run from 19 in (pets up to 10 lbs) to 26 in (20 to 25 lbs). Plated steel door with an easy-open squeeze latch and side vents for airflow. One trade-off: bulky to store compared with soft carriers.

Mistakes to avoid

• Buying by weight alone without measuring your pet’s length and height.
• Choosing a puppy crate for the puppy’s current size instead of its adult size (use a divider instead).
• Putting a plush, stuffed bed in front of a dog that shreds bedding.
• Assuming water resistant means waterproof for a dog with accidents.
• Buying a thin fiber bed for a large or senior dog that needs firm support.
• Using the crate as punishment, or for longer stretches than your dog can manage.
• Leaving a heated bed as the only resting spot, with no cooler option nearby.

FAQ

What size bed does my dog need?

Measure your dog from nose to tail. Curlers can use a bed close to that length, while dogs that stretch out may need one up to about 12 inches longer. Use the brand’s weight range as a second check.

How big should a dog crate be?

Big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in. Measure height and length with your dog standing and add 3 to 4 inches to each, then match those numbers to the brand’s chart.

Do older dogs need an orthopedic bed?

Many do better on one. Thick foam spreads out pressure and does not flatten the way fiber fill can, and the AKC recommends orthopedic beds for senior dogs and dogs with joint problems.

Should I put a bed in my puppy’s crate?

A washable pad makes the crate more comfortable, but take it out if your puppy chews or tears it, since swallowed stuffing can cause a blockage. Many owners use a thin mat or nothing until the chewing phase passes.

Are heated cat beds safe?

A low-wattage, thermostat-controlled bed with an independent safety listing, used indoors as the brand directs, is the safer choice. Keep the cord out of reach of chewers, leave an unheated spot nearby, and check with your vet before using one with a pet that cannot move away from heat.

How often should I wash my pet’s bed?

The AKC suggests washing a removable cover weekly. Follow the care label, since some beds go in the washer whole and others only have a washable cover.

See all beds and crates.