FAQ: Beds & Bedding for dogs

No, the bed only adds comfort and will not hold the dog in a sudden stop. For safe transport use a dog seat belt with a harness or a secured travel crate.

Light foldable or roll-up beds that are easy to carry and wipe clean are handy for trips. A bed with a familiar smell helps the dog settle faster in a hotel or when visiting.

If you travel often, a separate travel bed is convenient because you do not have to take the main bed, which stays clean at home. For occasional trips a familiar blanket or pad is enough.

When camping a dog needs a bed that insulates it from cold, damp ground, such as a raised bed or a thick pad with a waterproof base. At night the dog should have its own warm spot in the tent.

Its own bed or blanket helps a dog feel safer in an unfamiliar place and protects the hosts' furniture from hair. Many pet-friendly places to stay even ask for it.

Foldable beds can be rolled up and strapped, and a foam mattress can go straight into the boot as the dog's sleeping spot. Large framed beds are best left at home in favour of a lighter pad.

At work a light, quiet, non-slip pad or small bed that is easy to carry and wipe clean is practical. It is best placed under the desk or in a corner where the dog will not be disturbed all the time.

Many boarding kennels provide beds, but a familiar blanket or pad can help the dog settle in faster. Ask in advance whether you may bring your own things.

The crate floor needs a thin pad that lies flat, not a thick bed that bunches up and takes up space. Choose a pad that matches the crate's inner dimensions, and one with an absorbent layer for longer journeys.

An old pillow or mattress can be used temporarily, but they usually lack a waterproof layer, removable cover and non-slip base. Sprung mattresses can be unsafe if the dog tears them open.

A blanket gives warmth and a familiar smell but on its own does not cushion against hard floors. It suits small dogs on a sofa, travel, or as an extra layer on top of a bed.

A soft, easily washed, quick-drying blanket such as fleece works well, without tassels or long threads the dog could swallow. Several blankets are handy, as one can be washed while another is in use.

A mat under the bed protects the floor from hair, moisture and scratches and stops the bed sliding. It is also practical when the dog comes home wet or muddy.

Absorbent pads have an absorbent top layer and a waterproof underside, so liquid does not reach the bed or the floor. They come as disposable pads and reusable ones that go in the washing machine.

Disposable pads are handy for short periods, for example after surgery or during house training, while reusable ones are washed and create less waste over time. Reusable pads are usually thicker and slip less.

Yes, a thin pad or blanket on the sofa catches hair and dirt, and a waterproof version protects against moisture. Choose a non-slip product so it does not bunch up when the dog lies down.

A small cushion with a non-slip base and removable cover suits a small dog. If the dog jumps off high furniture by itself, consider steps or a ramp to protect its joints.

For small, long-backed, older and dogs with joint problems, steps or a ramp make getting onto a bed or sofa safer. Choose stable, non-slip steps of a height that suits the dog's size.

Buttons, tassels, beads and sewn-on decorations can be chewed off and swallowed. Especially for puppies and dogs that chew, simple beds without attached embellishments are safer.

Puppies like chewing zips, and a torn-off slider or teeth can be swallowed. Choose beds with a hidden zip and check often for anything torn loose.