Keep your pet comfortable, cosy and calm with a mattress or cushion. Today, we recommend the best options out there right now. Let's get started!
Every loving dog owner likes to make sure their pet is comfortable at all times. A dog mattress or cushion is a great addition to any home, giving your pet a soft and supportive base to sleep on.
Dog cushions can be used on their own around the home, in a crate or in kennels. Very versatile, they allow your pooch to be cosy wherever they’re sleeping.
But not all canine cushions offer the same degree of luxury, and some aren’t much different than just spreading a blanket on the floor.
We’ve taken a look at the best dog mattress on the market and have come up with a list of five of the best.
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Our Recommended Dog Mattresses & Cushions
These are the dog mattresses and cushions that we highly recommend.
There's our overall favourite, the best value for money, and a great alternative.
We review each in more detail down below.
Amazing Value
Bedsure Dog Mattress
Our Top Pick
Milliard Quilted Dog Mattress
Great Alternative
Bedsure Waterproof Dog Mattress
OUR TOP PICK
Milliard Quilted Dog Mattress
The Milliard Quilted Dog Mattress is available in two sizes, and provides a soft and padded base for canine beds.
Suitable for use on its own or in a crate, the mattress is thick enough to provide support and comfort for small and large dogs alike.
The filling is made up from luxe foam which provides superior orthopaedic support.
Created using an egg-crate shape, the foam encourages even distribution of body weight and offers more support for the joints.
The egg-crate also allows more air to flow through, helping with temperature regulation.
The exterior is made from a soft velour fabric which creates a cosy place for your dog to lie. This is enhanced by a quilted top which adds an even greater level of luxury.
The pillow isn't two-sided because the base is covered with rubberised grips. This helps to prevent the mattress from sliding around, especially on wooden or tiled floors.
All dog beds can get grubby but the good news is that cleaning is simple. Just slip off the covers and pop them in the washing machine on a gentle cycle.
You won’t find any waterproof liner on the inside which shouldn’t be a big problem for most dogs, especially as the covers are washable.
However, if your dog is incontinent or prone to accidents in their bed, this probably isn’t the best pick for you.
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line: A high-quality pillow for dogs, the Milliard offers a little luxury to your canine pal.
The quilted top increases the soft and cosy feel while the thick padded base guarantees a good night’s sleep.
And while your pooch is dreaming of chasing squirrels, you can rest easy too thanks to the removable washable covers.
Amazing Value
Bedsure Dog Mattress
Available in three different sizes up to XL, the Bedsure Dog Mattress provides a thick and padded base for any canines looking for a comfortable place to snooze.
One of the thicker dog cushions on the market, the pillow is packed full of high-quality microfibre that won’t squash down or thin out.
The design includes lots of individual pockets spread across the pillow, with each one filled separately.
This prevents the filling from moving to one side and leaving your dog without any support.
Memory foam would be the only possible improvement but at such an economical price, this is an excellent budget alternative.
Even large dogs will feel well-supported and cushioned from a cold floor.
The fabric used on the dog bed cushion is tough and able to cope with canine use.
It’s water-resistant so a damp coat or the occasional accident won’t easily soak through the cushion.
The fabric is also hair-resistant so one quick brush will allow you to remove any fur instantly.
You can clean the cushion either with a damp cloth or it can be placed in a washing machine on a gentle cycle using cold water.
The covers aren’t removable so you’ll need a machine that’s large enough to be able to cope with the whole cushion. This might be tricky if you’ve opted for the XL size.
You can tumble dry the cushion on a low heat but this can take some time because of the thickness of the padding.
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line: This Bedsure mattress is much cheaper than many of its competitors but still delivers great quality.
With a thick padded cushion and durable cover, it will be loved by dogs and owners alike.
Great Alternative
Bedsure Waterproof Dog Mattress
If your dog has joint problems or suffers with pain, a memory foam mattress can make a very big difference.
The Bedsure Waterproof Dog Mattress includes a foam topper to provide better support. This can be useful for dogs who are already struggling but it’s also an excellent preventative measure.
By moulding to your dog’s own body shape, memory foam offers support in the areas that need it. Body weight is distributed more evenly and bony joints are protected from stress.
This isn’t a solid memory foam mattress but has a thick memory foam topper, which is the next best thing.
The mattress is protected by a waterproof liner so if there are any little accidents or spills, you won’t need to worry about the memory foam being damaged.
The covers zipper off easily and can be washed on a cold cycle in the washing machine.
Underneath the mattress there is a non-slip base which prevents it from sliding around as your dog climbs on. This can be particularly beneficial on slippery hard floors such as wood or tiles.
The soft and cosy design will suit all sizes of dog but isn’t designed to withstand chewing.
If you know your pooch tends to munch on their bedding, you can find more resilient designs elsewhere in the Bedsure range.
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line: The memory foam topper ensures that every dog can enjoy real comfort and relief from aching joints while they rest.
Owners will love the practicality of a waterproof liner and washable covers making this mattress a win for all concerned.
Bedsure Mattress for Dogs
The Bedsure mattress may look just like any of the other dog cushions but between the surface is a unique egg-crate foam design.
This provides greater support for your dog, distributing weight more evenly and alleviating pressure on joints. It feels just as comfortable for your dog to lie on and can be used on either side.
The egg-crate pattern in the foam also encourages better air flow, improving ventilation and regulating temperature. This can stop your dog from overheating in warm weather.
The pillow can be used on either side. One side is smooth and ideal for warmer weather when your pooch wants to stretch out to keep cool.
The other side is fleecy and your dog will love curling up for a cosy snooze when the temperature starts to drop.
The covers are tough and durable, and able to withstand light to moderate chewing.
They can also cope with digging and scratching so if you have a dog that likes to fuss with its pillow before sleeping, this is a top choice for you.
The covers are removable and can be easily washed in the machine on a cold water cycle.
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line: There’s no memory foam in this dog bed but at such a great value price, we’ve got no complaints.
The egg-crate foam design provides superior orthopaedic support for dogs, while the covers are practical and easy to keep clean.
Gor Pets Dog Cushion
If you have a plastic dog bed, the Gor Pets Dog Cushion is the perfect mattress to slide inside.
Oval in shape and available in seven different sizes, it offers a plush and soft surface for dogs to snuggle into.
For dogs that like to be cosy when they sleep, the Gor mattress is ideal. The fabric is thick and comfortable, helping to keep even older dogs warm while they doze.
The inner is made from pocketed polyester which helps to prevent uneven distribution.
Memory or orthopaedic foam would be preferable but this is a thick cushion that’s well-padded, and comes in at an excellent budget price.
Washing is quick and convenient as there is no need to remove covers. The whole cushion can go in the washing machine on a cycle of up to 40 degrees.
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line: An oval shape, the Gor pillow is the perfect insert for hard plastic beds, adding a touch of canine luxury.
Thick, padded and easy to clean, it’s also available at a very affordable price.
Recommended: Every dog needs a place to have a snooze. Check out these five large dog beds for big breeds.
Buyers’ Guide
Everyone deserves somewhere comfy to have a nap - and dogs are no exception. Rather than sleeping on a hard floor, a dog mattress can provide your pooch with a soft and comfortable place that he can claim.
There are lots of different types of dog mattresses and cushions available, but they’re not all of equal quality.
This buyer’s guide looks at the most important features and how to pick a pillow that your dog will love.
Fabric
There are multiple considerations when picking out the right type of fabric for your dog bed. A snug and cosy fleece bed may look ideal but be far less practical in daily life.
The temperature of your home and your dog’s coat will play a role in the fabric you choose.
If your home is warm, your dog has thick fur or simply doesn’t like the heat (such as Malamutes or Newfoundlands), pick a cool fabric.
Conversely for dogs that have a smooth coat and feel the cold more, opt for a fabric that’s fluffy.
Durability
Dogs like to drag their bed around with their teeth and scrabble at the surface before settling down. That means that any pillow needs to be well-designed to be durable and long-lasting.
You’ll find some which are able to withstand chewing, as well as scratching and digging. This is helpful if you know your pooch tends to be a bit rough.
Some cushions also feature a water-resistant outer, or a waterproof lining to protect against accidents.
All of these features contribute to longevity, helping the dog mattress to stay in good shape for as long as possible.
Maintenance
No matter how much you love your pooch, it’s fair to say that dogs aren’t always the cleanest.
From rolling around in the mud, trailing through puddles, drooling or making themselves sick, dogs can be real mucky pups.
When you’re buying a dog bed cushion, you’ll need to take maintenance into account.
Look out for removable covers that can be machine-washed rather than a pillow that can only be spot-cleaned. For extra brownie points, some covers can even be tumble dried.
Recommended Reading: Check out our guide to calming dog beds next.
Comfort
A dog pillow should be soft yet supportive so your pooch can sleep and rest in comfort.
Memory foam is the best filling, moulding to the shape of your dog’s body and helping to distribute their weight evenly.
Orthopaedic foam is another excellent option, and there is also polyfill for dogs who don’t need the same level of support.
As well as the type of filling, the thickness of the mattress is very important. If it’s too thin, the filling will be squashed under your dog’s weight, leaving them effectively lying on the hard floor.
Look for a mattress which is thick and doesn’t sink when your dog climbs on.
The size of your dog may make a difference. For example, a large dog bed cushion will need to be much thicker than one designed for smaller dogs.
Older or infirm dogs may also need an elevated thick mattress which is supportive yet easy to access with reduced mobility.
Size
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes so it’s important to buy a cushion that’s large enough for them to shift position and stay supported.
You wouldn’t want to take a nap if your legs were hanging off the bed and it’s the same for dogs!
Having a large enough bed ensures that all of your dog’s joints are protected, preventing pain and discomfort.
However, if you choose a bed which is too big for your dog they may not be able to relax as they won’t feel cosy enough.
To find a bed which is neither too small nor too big, it’s easier just to measure your dog.
Start from their nose, measure to the end of their tail, and then add a further 12 inches. This is the size bed you need to provide your dog space to stretch out properly and move around.
