Looking for a bed for your four-legged friend that’s comfortable, durable, and easy to clean? A raised dog bed could be the ideal choice for you and your pup!
Featuring sturdy metal frames and durable, breathable material, raised beds are a great choice for every dog – from chew-happy puppies to older dogs with mobility problems.
Sometimes called ‘dog camping beds’, they’re suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Off the ground dog beds provide optimum air circulation, helping to keep your dog cool on hot days or warm and cosy while out camping.
There are dozens of raised dog beds on the market, and it can be hard to pick the right one for your dog.
Good news: we’ve done all the research for you, and we’re here to introduce you to our top recommendations – along with an overview of the key features to consider.
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Our 3 Recommended Raised Dog Beds
In our opinion, these are the only raised dog beds that deserve your attention.
There's our overall favourite, a great alternative, and the best value for money.
We review each in more detail down below.
Great Alternative
PawHut Elevated Bed
Our Top Pick
Veehoo Original Elevated Dog Bed
Best Value
PawHut Portable Elevated Pet Bed
OUR TOP PICK
Veehoo Original Elevated Dog Bed
Among all of the options we’ve reviewed, the Veehoo Original Elevated Dog Bed really stood out. Well made, comfortable, and fully washable, it’s guaranteed to make your dog happy.
Strong and Sturdy
The Veehoo elevated dog bed features a frame made of thickened square poles, offering optimum strength, stability, and support – all without being too heavy.
The frame has non-skid rubber feet to prevent the bed from sliding around when your dog gets on or off, which is particularly important for boisterous puppies and older dogs.
Thanks to the curved corners of the frame and the lack of plastic joints, the bed is both safe for your dog and entirely chew-proof.
The Textilene mesh fabric used for the top of the bed is breathable and durable, able to withstand even the most determined scratching or chewing.
The material is stain-resistant and fully waterproof, making it a highly hygienic choice for your dog.
Easy to Assemble and Maintain
The metal frame of the Veehoo Original Elevated Dog Bed is composed of just ten parts - it's easy to assemble using the screws and hex tool included with the product.
The bed can also be easily disassembled and put together again when moving, travelling, or camping.
Even the largest size weighs only around 5.5 kg (12 lbs), making it lightweight and portable.
The material is easy to wash and quick to dry. There’s no need to wash it in a washing machine: you can simply hose down the whole bed and wipe the top dry.
Wide Variety of Sizes and Colours
The bed comes in four sizes, enabling you to pick the most comfortable, practical option for your dog.
With a maximum weight capacity of 70 kg (for the XL size), the Veehoo elevated bed is suitable even for the largest dogs.
The height of the bed changes slightly depending on the size you choose, which makes it easier for your dog to get on or off.
The smallest size stands 20 cm (8 in) off the ground, while the largest measures 23 cm (9 in) in height.
There are five colour varieties to choose from, including black, blue, brown, grey, and green.
Pros
Cons
Great Alternative
PawHut Elevated Bed
Another great recommendation is the PawHut Elevated Bed, featuring a strong metal frame and breathable fabric for ultimate hygiene and comfort.
The bed comes in two sizes, both of which measure 18 cm (7 in) in height.
The large version supports weight of up to 40 kg, so it’s a good choice for dogs that are medium-large but may not be suitable for the largest breeds.
The non-skid feet at the bottom of the frame provide stability and prevent the bed from sliding around.
There is an additional metal support across the middle of the large option, ensuring even weight distribution for your dog’s comfort.
The oxford fabric used for the top of the bed is waterproof and stain-resistant.
Like our top pick, this bed can be rinsed down with water and dried almost instantly, ensuring maximum hygiene standards for even the muddiest pups!
For additional cooling, the material features mesh in the middle. Not only does this further improve air circulation, but it also helps to keep the bed clean.
Dust, loose hair, and dried mud can fall straight through the mesh.
It’s very easy to assemble the bed, with no tools or screws needed. Instead, the frame is held together by durable plastic joints.
As well as being quick to put together, the PawHut bed is also incredibly lightweight: the larger size weighs less than 3 kg (6.5 lbs)!
All in all, the PawHut Elevated Bed is an excellent choice for small to medium dogs.
Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, it’s sure to become your dog’s favourite napping spot at home, in the garden, and while camping.
Pros
Cons
Best Value
PawHut Portable Elevated Pet Bed
For dog owners with a limited budget or those just looking to try out an elevated bed without making a big investment, the PawHut Portable Bed could be just the thing.
At 18 cm (7 in) in height, this metal framed dog bed is high enough to provide air circulation but low enough for even the smallest dogs to easily get on or off.
Two sizes are available, with the larger suitable for dogs of up to 30 kg in weight.
The large size features support in the middle, preventing the cover from stretching and providing additional comfort for your dog.
The entire cover is made from a single piece of oxford fabric, which makes it durable and scratch-resistant. Breathable and strong, the material is waterproof and very easy to keep clean.
PawHut’s portable bed is very easy to assemble with no tools or screws.
The metal poles are simply pushed into plastic joints, and the material is tightly stretched over the top – preventing any of the elements from slipping out of place.
Like the other two beds reviewed in this article, this one also features non-skid feet to keep the bed from moving even on slippery surfaces.
The word ‘portable’ appears in the bed’s name for a reason: at just over 2 kg (4.5 lbs), it’s very lightweight and easily carried in one hand.
A carrying bag made from oxford fabric is included with the bed to make it easier to bring with you wherever you’re going!
Pros
Cons
Recommended: Does your dog suffer with anxiety? Don't miss our guide to calming dog beds next.
The Benefits of Raised Dog Beds
Temperature Regulation
Ever notice your dog leave his fluffy, cosy bed to lie on the floor to cool down? Time for a cooling dog bed!
Beds that are placed directly on the floor can cause overheating in warm conditions since there’s no air circulation below your dog’s body.
By choosing a dog bed on legs, you can help your dog maintain a comfortable body temperature.
Comfortable
The fabric stretched over the top of the bed is firm and springy – not too soft and not too hard, ensuring even weight distribution and providing optimal support for your dog.
The surface of the bed is always even and flat – lumps can’t form here like they sometimes do in stuffed beds.
Recommended: We cover large beds for big dog breeds next.
Easy to Clean
Most raised dog bed covers are made from stain-resistant, waterproof fabric. No need to turn on the washing machine – you can simply rinse the bed down and wipe it dry, or leave it out in the sun for a few minutes.
While using at home, you can easily vacuum the loose hair and dust from underneath the bed without having to move it.
Hygienic
Dust, loose hairs, and bacteria don’t get stuck in the waterproof fabric like they do with stuffed beds. Even if your dog gets muddy, the mud will just dry off and fall through the fabric.
Also, stains don’t form on the waterproof material, so an elevated bed can be a great alternative for puppies that haven’t been house-trained yet.
Chew-proof
If your dog has a tendency to chew and destroy his bedding, an elevated bed will stop him in his tracks. Most of the time, the frames are made out of metal, which won’t be damaged by your dog’s teeth.
The fabric over the top of the bed is stretched tight, so there’s no way for your dog to grab a mouthful of it. Even if he tries to chew on his new elevated bed, he’ll soon realise he’s not getting anywhere!
Recommended: Don't miss our guide to to dog mattresses and cushions.
Damage Resistant
With a simple construction and few to no weak spots, elevated beds are resistant to both regular wear and tear and the efforts of destructive pups.
Many manufacturers use scratch-resistant fabric for the cover, so if your dog likes scratching at his bedding, a raised bed won’t suffer any damage.
Stable
With non-skid feet and sturdy frames, most elevated dog beds offer more stability than stuffed alternatives. Even on slippery surfaces, the bed won’t slide around as your dog gets on or off.
This is especially important for older dogs with joint problems who may have trouble keeping their balance.
Assuming you choose the right size for your pooch, the bed won’t tip over when he moves around in his sleep, either.
Lightweight and Portable
Most elevated dog beds weigh next to nothing. Despite their sturdy metal frames, many are light enough to easily lift with one hand.
This makes them convenient to take with you from room to room, into the garden, or when going camping.
Many raised dog beds can also be disassembled and put back together, so you can take the bed apart to pack into the car and assemble it again once you’ve set up camp.
Buyers’ Guide
While most elevated dog beds are similar in structure, there are still important differences between products from different manufacturers. Watch out for the following features to choose the best bed for your pooch!
Washability
Being easy to wash is one of the biggest advantages of raised dog beds.
Unlike stuffed beds, which can be problematic to wash and take a long time to dry, these can literally be hosed off and dry in a matter of minutes.
To make sure the bed is easily washable, pick one with a cover that’s made from stain-resistant, waterproof fabric.
It won’t soak up water or spillages and will therefore be easy to keep clean and quick to dry.
Frame Strength and Durability
Dog bed frames made from pliable materials such as plastic can bend out of shape with time. It’s best to choose beds with metal frames for added strength and support, especially for larger, heavier dogs.
The durability of the cover is equally important. Pick beds that use thick, non-stretch fabric to ensure that your dog will be comfortable on the bed for years to come.
Chew-proof and Scratch-resistant
If your dog has a tendency to destroy his beds, an elevated alternative may be more resistant to his destructive efforts than stuffed bedding.
Choose a bed with a scratch-resistant cover that features as few seams along the middle as possible – these are weak points that your dog could get his claws into.
For chew-happy dogs, avoid beds with soft, plastic joints.
Recommended Reading: Check out our guide to indestructible dog beds next.
Size and Weight Support
Most elevated dog beds come in several dimensions, and it’s important to choose the right one for your dog’s size and weight.
Especially if you have a large, heavy dog (over 40 kg) or plan on letting two smaller dogs use the bed, it’s worth checking the manufacturer’s guidelines on maximum weight support offered by a product.
If in doubt about sizing, a large raised dog bed will suit most breeds – smaller dogs will just have more space to stretch out!
Comfort and Joint Support
For the bed to be as comfortable as possible for your dog, the fabric should be tightly stretched over the frame, with no dips or loose spots.
If your dog has advanced mobility issues, joint problems, or other conditions that impact his ability to move freely, consider looking for a raised dog bed with sides.
These will provide additional structure and prevent your dog from falling off when moving around.
Non-skid Feet
Unless your dog is only going to use the bed outside, it’s worth finding a product with non-skid feet at the bottom of the frame.
These pieces of rubber prevent the bed from sliding around on slippery surfaces, as well as preventing your floors from scratches.
Portability
If you plan on moving the bed a lot or taking it with you when going camping with your dog, it’s worth keeping portability in mind.
Choose a bed that’s lightweight and easy to assemble and disassemble – this way, you can take it apart for storage and put it back together when you arrive at your destination.
Summary
Young and older, small or large, all dogs love raised beds. They’re comfortable and stable for the dog, as well as being hygienic and convenient for you. Whichever elevated bed you pick for your dog, he’s sure to be thrilled!
