Buying the right type of bed for your small dog is important to ensure comfort and support. Little dogs are prone to knee and elbow luxation, various hip and spine conditions, and other health issues that require a supportive and comfortable bed. However, it can get overwhelming when it comes to dog bed shopping, especially with today’s oversaturated pet market. Thankfully, we’re here to help you on your shopping quest, so you won’t feel defeated before you even start shopping. Here are our top picks and reviews of the ten best dog beds for small dogs:

A Glance at Our Winners in 2024

The 10 Best Dog Beds for Small Dogs

1. Frisco Rectangular Bolster Dog Bed – Best Overall

Our top pick is the Frisco Rectangular Bolster Dog Bed, our overall favorite bed for small dogs. This bed is great because it has 6.5-inch raised walls for support, whether your dog likes to stretch, curl up, or a little bit of both. It’s overstuffed with poly-fill in the raised walls and floor, giving your dog that airy-yet-supportive feeling. Another great detail to point out is the faux suede outer layer, which is super soft and cozy to the touch that your dog will really enjoy. It’s also fully machine washable and comes in two colors, so you can match your décor and easily keep it clean.

However, this bed is not chew-resistant or dig-resistant, so it’s not for chewers or destroyers of dog beds and will rip too easily. Except for this one detail, the Frisco Rectangular Bolster Dog bed is a great overall product and will offer your small dog a comfortable sleeping experience.

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2. Petmaker Orthopedic Sherpa Pillow Dog Bed – Best Value

The Petmaker Orthopedic Sherpa Pillow Dog Bed is a memory foam bed that is budget-friendly. It’s a great bed with a 4-inch memory foam mattress, so it’s super supportive for dogs that have health and joint issues. The outer layer is a water-resistant cover, which helps keep the foam safe from possible accidents. The cover is also totally machine washable, so you can remove any odor or stains that accumulate through use. We really like the great value of this bed since memory foam can get costly, making it an excellent choice for dog owners looking for a good deal.

While this bed is a great deal, there were two potential issues we found. The zipper is made with cheap quality metal, so it can break easily if you’re not gentle. The other problem is that the cover and foam aren’t, making it unsuitable for dogs that chew or dig. Other than the two things we found, the Petmaker Orthopedic Sherpa Pillow bed is our pick for the best value bed for small dogs for the money.

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3. Snoozer Pet Products Cozy Cave Dog Bed – Premium Choice

Our premium choice bed for small dogs is the Snoozer Pet Products Cozy Cave Dog Bed. It has a cave-style cover that is soothing for dogs with anxiety or simply for dogs that like to be covered up or hidden. The inside lining of the Snoozer is a cozy Sherpa wool, so it will be soft and warm for your little dog. The inside of the bed is a poly-fill and cedar mix, which will help keep odors from developing on the bed. The “mattress” part of the bed is 8 inches in height for extra support, so it won’t flatten out as easily as other poly-fill beds. However, the Snoozer is on the expensive side since it’s a premium model, which is a dealbreaker for some dog owners.

Another possible problem is that the cave has no frame to keep it open. Some dogs may not like this feature, but other dogs may actually prefer that. Other than those two details, the Snoozer Pet Cave Dog Bed is the best premium option on our list.

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4. K&H Pet Products Bolster Elevated Dog Bed

The K&H Pet Products Bolster Elevated Dog Bed is a great dog bed for dogs that need a lifted, cot-style bed. The elevated bed is great for extra comfort and support, lifting your small dog off the floor and suspending them in the air with ease. This model has a wrap-around 3/4 bolster that gives your dog neck and head support, which is great for small dogs that like to curl up as they sleep. The K&H elevated bed has a nice breathable mesh center panel, keeping your dog cool during the warmer seasons. It also has a durable metal frame to keep your dog elevated safely with anti-scratch rubber pads, so it’ll protect your hardwood floors as your dog jumps up and down.

On the other hand, the first thing to note is that the K&H Elevated bed is 7 inches off the ground, so it may be too tall for very small dogs or older dogs that struggle to get down. It’s also a bit harder to clean if there’s an accident, so that may be a dealbreaker as well.

• See also: 7 Best Dog Cave Beds: Reviews & Top Picks

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5. FurHaven Plush Ball Pillow Dog Bed

FurHaven Plush Ball Pillow Dog Bed is a pillow-style cuddler bed that is great for dogs that love to curl up. It’s a huge bean bag-like pillow bed that surrounds your curled-up dog around all, giving your dog the ultimate sleeping experience. The beanbag bed is around 12 inches tall when not in use, collapsing down into a donut cuddler-like shape when your dog settles in. The outer cover is washable and features a luxurious faux-fur, so it’s easy to clean and soft to the touch. The FurHaven also has a flexible inner liner that promotes digging and shaping, keeping the recycled filling safe inside the bed at all times.

It’s a great cuddler bed for some dogs, but the FurHaven isn’t a bed suitable for every dog. The most obvious issue is that very small dogs may not actually sink down into the bed, which can pose a danger of falling off and getting injured. The beanbag style is also not a great option if your dog likes to stretch out, so it may not be a comfortable bed in that case.

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6. Best Friends by Sheri OrthoComfort Dog Bed

The Best Friends by Sheri OrthoComfort Dog Bed is a round, bolster-style dog bed that promotes curling up and cuddling. It features a 9-inch wrap-around bolster wall that goes completely around, surrounding your dog completely. This bed has a neat feature with a 12-inch raised wall, which gives your dog extra support during sleep and naptime. The Best Friends OrthoComfort bed uses AirLoft premium poly-fill material that won’t flatten over time, which happens with low-quality filler that can’t support even small dogs.

However, there are some problems with the Best Friends bed that we couldn’t overlook. The biggest issue is the slippery material at the bottom, which can be dangerous if the bed is on any surface like tile or wood. The other problem is with the raised wall, which can collapse on top of your dog if it’s not “fluffed” up after a while. While the concept of the Best Friends by Sheri OrthoComfort Dog Bed is great, the execution has these two flaws that need addressing for better quality.

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7. BarksBar Snuggly Sleeper Orthopedic Dog Bed

BarksaBar’s Snuggly Sleeper Orthopedic Dog Bed is a bolster-style rectangular bed that is designed for orthopedic support. It features a 3/4 wrap-around bolster that has an opening for your dog to go in and out while providing a place for your dog’s head to rest. The bottom of this model has an orthopedic foam mattress, which is more supportive than most poly-fill beds. The BarksBar Snuggly Dog bed also has a nonslip bottom to prevent sliding around as your dog goes in and out daily, especially on hardwood floors or slippery tile.

Although this model looks good at first, we found too many issues that kept it lower on our list. The most frustrating flaw with the BarksBar bed is that the 3.5-inch bolster is short and barely supports the head, flattening easily and becoming somewhat useless. The second issue is that the fabric is too delicate, ripping easily with chewers or dogs that like to dig at their beds. Lastly, the zipper on the outer cover is made with low-quality metal, which jams and breaks easily. This bed may be suitable for some dogs, but there are other beds we would recommend trying first.

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8. Friends Forever Donut Dog Bed

The Friends Forever Donut Dog Bed is a donut-style bed that promotes cuddling and curling to help reduce anxiety. It’s got extra-long faux fur for an outer lining, which is very soft and soothing to the touch. The donut wall itself is around 6 inches tall, so it will completely surround your dog in a calming effect. The best part about this donut cuddler bed is that it’s completely machine washable and dryer safe, so there are no finicky zippers to deal with.

Aside from these features, there are flaws with the Friends Forever Donut Dog Bed as well. The faux-fur lining is nice at first, but it sheds everyone and snarls after one wash. The nonslip bottom doesn’t provide enough traction to actually prevent slipping, which defeats the purpose completely. Lastly, the center cushion flattens out over time, making it uncomfortable after time. Although we like donut cuddler beds, the Friends Forever Donut Dog Bed is not our favorite choice of donut-style dog beds.

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9. BODISEINT Modern Soft Dog Bed

The BODISENT Modern Soft Dog Bed is a donut cuddler-style bed for small dogs. This donut bed model features an extra-long faux fur outer lining, which will keep your dog warm and cozy as it sleeps. It’s also not as expensive as other beds, especially compared to other donut beds and memory foam beds.

Of course, we found too many flaws with this bed that put it second to last on our list of best beds. The biggest problem with the BODISENT Modern Dog bed is with the faux fur itself, which tangles and mats very quickly when wet and needs to be machine-dried immediately after a wash. The poly-fill material is another problem since it clumps up after one wash, so it loses its donut-like shape easily and won’t support your dog. It’s also not suitable for destructive dogs that like to chew or dig, which can be a potential dealbreaker if your dog is a chewer or digger. However, it’s the strange chemical odor that makes the BODISENT Modern Soft Dog Bed almost last on our list due to the fact that it can last for days, even when aired out.

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10. Bedsure Small Dog Bed

The Bedsure Small Dog is a round bolster-style dog bed for dogs that either like to stretch or curl. The inner foam cushion is removable and reversible, giving your dog two different textures to sleep on. The bed also has a 6-inch bolster wall with a lowered entrance so your dog can get in and out easily while giving your dog a place to rest its head. Unfortunately, the Bedsure Dog Bed has some moderate flaws that we couldn’t overlook.

The biggest issue by far is with the foam cushion, which stays somewhat flat and doesn’t expand completely. It’s not a durable bed by any means, so it’s not suitable for chewers or dogs that dig before lying down. Another flaw is that the bolster wall doesn’t really provide any support, collapsing with any weight that leans on it. Lastly, the bottom layer that has the nonslip-surface slides easily, so it can be dangerous for some dogs trying to get in and out.

We recommend trying other beds on our list first before giving the Bedsure a try for better quality and durability.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Bed for a Small Dog

When choosing a bed for your dog, there are a few things to consider, like the size of your dog, any specifications you need, and design preferences. There are a lot of beds that can make a real difference in your dog’s wellbeing, but it may not be easy to figure out what bed your dog prefers. Let’s go over how to best find a bed for your dog:

Size of your Dog

Small dogs can struggle with certain beds, especially toy breeds that weigh less than 10 pounds. With some memory foam beds, the foam is too firm and may not be comfortable. Other beds may be too tall for toy-size dogs to climb in and out of unless they’re a more active breed or a young dog. On the other hand, if your small dog is a bigger, heavier type, the poly-fill beds may not be enough cushion. Keep your dog’s weight and size in mind so you can find something that your dog will be comfortable in while sleeping.

Your Dog’s Health Issues

Does your dog need extra support? Is your dog struggling to step over tall things? These are only a few of many potential questions that you should answer before buying a bed for your dog. If your dog has health issues that a bed help with the pain, it’s important to find the right one. Another thing to check for is a slip-resistant bed, especially if your dog is older or has pain maneuvering out of bed from health issues.

Poly-fill vs. Memory Foam

One of the biggest questions you might face is whether you want a poly-fill or memory foam bed. There are huge differences between the two, so it’s crucial to figure this out first. Memory foam is more supportive for dogs that have joint and health issues and much thicker than poly-fill, but it may be too firm for very small dogs like Chihuahuas and Yorkies. Poly-fill beds are (usually) machine washable but tend to clump up a bit, whereas memory foam beds have an outer cover that is machine washable. Memory foam beds aren’t fluffy, whereas poly-fill beds are good for dogs that like to “dig” at the bed.

Types of Beds

Pillow

Pillow-style beds are basically oversized pillows, which are either poly-fill material or memory foam. They’re the simplest type of bed and are good for dogs that like to curl or stretch, but they have no extra supports like a bolster bed. Pillow beds become flat over time and eventually lose their shape unless they’re made with high-quality memory foam, so they’re not the best beds for long-term use.

Bolster

Bolster beds have either a round or rectangular shape with half or 3/4 of the bed lined with a bolster and either a poly-fill bottom or memory foam mattress. These beds are great because the bolster walls support your dog’s head, neck, and back. The bolster beds with memory foam mattresses keep their shape longer, but you’ll need to remove the cover and bolster to wash it.

Elevated

Elevated “cot” beds are quickly becoming popular dog beds, mostly due to the fact that the bed is elevated off the ground for a more supportive and comfortable sleeping experience. These style beds allow you to put another dog bed on top for an even better experience. The only drawback is that smaller or older dogs may not be able to get up onto the beds, so it may not be the best solution for your dog.

Donut

Donut cuddler beds are similar to bolster beds, but they’re completely surrounded by a big, donut-shaped bolster. The round shape encourages curling and isn’t the best option for dogs that can’t step over tall things easily, but they’re otherwise a great bed for most dogs. Donut beds come in different types of outer material, from faux fur to soft faux suede.

Cave or Covered

If your dog has anxiety or prefers being under blankets, a covered bed or “cave” bed is a great option. These beds are usually made with poly-fill, but there are a few that may have a memory foam bottom. The only issue is finding a covered bed that won’t collapse on itself, which could injure or scare your dog.

Other Things to Consider

Final Thoughts

After going through our reviews of each model, the bed that we think is the best overall dog for small dogs is the Frisco Rectangular Bolster Dog Bed. The bolster is strong and gives a place for your dog’s head to rest, and we really like the overall quality of this bed. The bed we choose for best value goes to Petmaker Orthopedic Sherpa Pillow Dog Bed. It’s a great deal for a memory foam bed that can alleviate joint and body pain, especially for older dogs that need extra support. We hope our buyer’s guide of the best dog beds is helpful on your shopping quest for a high-quality dog bed. It can be difficult to find exactly what your dog needs, especially in today’s current pet supply market. Hopefully, our list will help you find the bed that your small dog will love.

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Featured Image Credit: Olga Ovcharenko, Shutterstock