When it comes to beds for our canine companions, the options don’t slow down. In fact, they get elevated!
A raised dog bed, also known as an elevated dog bed, allows air to flow freely, ensuring your pup is neither too hot or too cold. Keeping your fur-buddy off the ground, it keeps him warm, comfortable, and clean.
If you're wondering whether they’re worth a look, and not sure which one is the best among so many options out there, you're at the right place.
In this article we take a look at the best raised dog beds in the UK.
We will provide independent reviews of each of the best elevated beds, how to pick one and what to watch out for, all the while saving you time and money.
In a hurry? Here are the top 3 beds our experts choose:
Our top picks
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We also have a guide to top dog beds in the UK that covers non-raised dog beds.
Best Raised Dog Beds
Before we get into the details of how to pick one and what to watch out for, we present you the best raised dog beds in the UK.
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The Coolaroo pet bed is available in 3 sizes and 7 colours. It elevates your dog off the ground and allows for plenty of cool-air circulation thanks to the breathable knitted fabric.
This kind of bed is a lot easier to clean than a plush stuffed one. It’s also going to last longer and look better in the long run because it doesn’t beg to be nibbled like furry beds do.
With this bed, you don’t have to fuss with removing covers and using the washing machine. You can simply hose it down with mild soap and dry it off. The HDPE fabric is water and rot resistant, so you don’t have to worry about degradation and decay.
The large one is 20 cm off the floor, 110 cm in length and 80 cm in width. A flat, durable bed like this is ideal for offering substantial support and comfort to dogs of all kinds, but especially large dogs and elder pets.
The box comes with the bed, screws, instructions, and the frames. It’s also fairly easy to assemble.
Best of all, the Coolaroo Pet Bed is lightweight and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Features
- Flea and mite resistant
- Fabric resists rot and water absorption
- Lead free material
- Comes in 3 sizes and 7 colors
What we liked
- Breathable knitted fabric for your dog’s comfort
- 5 year warranty
Didn't like
- Size runs small
- Must be assembled
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The Veehoo Cooling Elevated dog bed is made with textilene mesh and powder-coated steel. The no-slip rubber feet help keep it in place to protect both the bed legs and your floor.
Elevated beds are great for dogs who need stability and strong support, so if you’ve been looking for a simple, durable solution, this may be a good option.
Rather than a stuffed one that might not age well from years of stains and digging, raised beds are very sturdy and smart in their design.
Dogs aren’t tempted to chew or play with these beds, nor are they likely to try to “rearrange” them by digging.
If you’re looking for a raised bed for an extra-large dog, this might be a great option. It comes in small, medium, large, and extra large. It elevates your dog by 18cm, making it a cleaner, cooler, more comfortable option than the bare floor.
They tend to be very light and portable. You can easily transport this bed to different parts of the house or outside where you can hose it off when dirty. The fabric is waterproof, breathable, heat-resistant, and features UV stabilization.
Features
- Textilene mesh
- Powder coated steel
- 4 sizes and 7 colors
- High load-bearing capacity
What we liked
- Easy to assemble
- Durable enough for very large dogs
Didn't like
- Has a lot of pieces. Takes some time to put together
- Very lightweight, so it can tip a little when big dogs climb off
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Another simple yet durable option is the AmazonBasics Cooling Elevated pet bed. For your convenience, this sleeper is easily assembled.
It elevates your dog 17.7 cm off the ground and is constructed of high-quality breathable mesh fabric.
For hot summer months, this raised bed with breathable fabric is a nice option. These beds are good for dogs with joint issues and sensitive skin.
The mesh fabrics are hypoallergenic and very sanitary as they’re easily cleaned and water-resistant.
This elevated bed is specially designed to relieve your dog’s aching joints and pressure points. Conveniently, you can place it in your house, outside, or take it travelling.
It’s easily assembled and disassembled and all you need to clean it is a quick squirt from a hose. Lastly, the frame is made of sturdy iron for durability and longevity.
Features
- Elevated cooling pet bed
- Breathable mesh fabric
- Comes in 5 sizes and 2 colors
- Raises pets 17.7 cm off the ground
What we liked
- Easy to clean
- Simple assembly
Didn't like
- May not be suitable for very heavy dogs
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Stylish and sturdy, the K&H Original Cot elevated pet bed is ideal for dogs who need stability and support. The centre of it is made from mesh, making it breathable and cool in the hot winter months.
To protect your floors and keep it in-place, it comes with no-skid rubber feet. It's tested for both strength and durability, ensuring it can accommodate dogs of all weights and sizes for years to come.
No tools are required for assembly, so there’s no fuss in putting this cooling bed together. It’s easy to transport and disassemble as well.
Around the mesh centre is a waterproof, tough nylon fabric. And there’s double backing with double stitching, making it extra durable.
Features
- Waterproof
- Non-skid rubber feet
- Tool-free assembly
- Mesh center
What we liked
- Durable and tested for strength
- Helps your dog stay cool in the heat
Didn't like
- Not a wide variety of sizes or styles
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Although it’s raised, this bed isn’t especially high off of the floor. This makes it ideal for dogs who might have trouble climbing on or off a raised bed.
The Bunty Elevated dog bed is made from high-quality sturdy weave fabric that keeps your dog cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
The rust-resistant stainless steel frame is strong and made to last. And it's waterproof, so it’s good for dogs who have incontinence issues.
Cleaning it off is a breeze as it’s lightweight and can be quickly rinsed with a hose. Raised flat beds don't stain, collect hair, and wear down the same way that stuffed ones do.
Overall, this sleeper could be an ideal option to keep your fur baby off the ground or the couch.
Features
- Available in small, medium, large
- Weave fabric
- Rust resistant coated stainless steel
- Waterproof
What we liked
- Can be used indoors or outdoors
- Weave fabric allows for cool air flow
Didn't like
- Somewhat difficult to put together
How To Choose The Best Raised Dog Bed
These beds are ideal for many reasons. They’re easier to clean than stuffed beds and provide more even support. But there are a lot of options out there and it can be hard to guess which one your fur-baby might love best.
Below, a few more things to consider before you make a commitment.
Material
Fabric is a very important consideration with dog beds. Whereas many stuffed ones hold a shocking amount of fur, bacteria, and moisture, flat raised beds are much easier to keep clean and fresh.
The material of most elevated dog beds is a woven mesh that allows good air circulation and breathability. Keeping your dog cool is one of the top benefits of these types of beds.
Almost all raised dog beds are waterproof, making rinse-time as easy as pie.
And unlike stuffed beds which can be surprisingly heavy, the material of raised ones is lightweight and easily transportable.
Thanks to their durability and sturdy, rot-proof material, all the beds on this list are safe for indoor or outdoor use.
The mesh fabric used on these products is both comfortable and supportive, making it the perfect choice for arthritic dogs or for elder dogs who have trouble staying comfortable.
Easy To Access
They are great for elder dogs because of the even, stable support they provide. They’re also easy to clean, so they’re ideal for dogs with incontinence issues.
But you want to make sure your elevated bed is easy to access. Take a look at the elevation for elderly dogs and, if your dog is very small, consider giving him a step for easier access.
You don’t want your senior dog jumping on and off a high platform which could in time turn into joint issues.
In fact a research into geriatric dogs shows that older beagles used beds elevated at 30 cm only 21% of the time.
So, it could be worth considering finding one that’s fairly close to the ground or place something next to the bed that acts as a step.
If you're worried about ease of access, you could check out our guide to plastic dog beds which could be an alternative.
Once you’ve established that your dog can easily access the raised bed, the benefits are considerable.
They are more sanitary and hypoallergenic than most stuffed dog beds, not to mention more supportive and firm.
Stuffed ones can get lumpy in certain spots and deflated in others - not exactly the quality rest your dog was after!
Stuffed versus Raised
If your dog is used to plush stuffed beds, he might find a raised one a little lacking. But that doesn’t mean it’s not still the best option for him.
You can always add a light blanket, stuffed toy, or pillow, if your dog is transitioning from his life of luxurious fluff to something a little more practical.
Though they might look boring or stiff, elevated dog beds are actually exceedingly comfortable.
They allow cool, fresh air to circulate and they’re easy to wipe down and clean, leaving them fresh and odor-free - something any dog will appreciate.
Easy to Clean
And if your fur-baby has sensitive skin or allergies, one of these might be exactly what he needs.
The easier a bed is to clean, the better it is for allergies and potential irritants.
Unlike fabric or foam beds, raised ones can be effectively cleaned with a fast spray or wipe-down.
Even when you remove and launder the cover of a stuffed bed, the interior stuffing can still hide loads of allergens, mites, and dander.
Benefits Of A Raised Dog Bed
Firm yet comfy
While stuffed beds might look more cosy, it’s good to think about dog beds in terms of human comfort standards.
Would you rather sleep on a flat firm mattress or curled in a ball atop a lump of uneven stuffing?
Fluffy, round beds might be cute and cuddly for nap time, but they aren’t really built for quality sleep.
An elevated dog bed keeps your dog off the floor where he can get cold, develop blisters, and strain his aching joints.
These are super sturdy and suitable for both indoors and outdoors.
Clean and hygienic
The mesh material is impressively comfortable and much more sanitary than most plush beds.
It’s easy to see any accumulation of fur or dirt-spots and just as easy to take a raised bed outdoors and rinse it off.
Use it indoors or outdoors
And unlike stuffed ones, raised beds are suitable for outdoors. They don’t age the same way plush beds do and they’re more substance than style.
They’re especially good for elder dogs and arthritic dogs because of quality support they provide. However, make sure the elevation is not too high for older dogs.
Check out our article for the best memory foam dog beds, if your dog is suffering from arthritis or hip dysplasia.
DIY Your Own
If you're feeling adventurous and believe can cut down on the cost, you might give it a go making one yourself.
Probably you'd need a PVC, wooden or metal frame to hold the weight, couple screws and a strong mesh fabric to hold your pup's weight.
Final Verdict
Even if you think your pampered pooch is partial to plush, a raised bed might be worth looking into. Think of it as a mattress - something we’d much prefer to sleep on than, say, a piled up blanket on the floor.
They benefit any dog, but especially elder dogs who need extra support and may have more pronounced sensitivities and allergies than puppies in their prime.
If you’re looking for one that’s raised but not too high off the ground, the Bunty Elevated Bed in size small might be a great choice. With it, your dog gets all the benefits of a raised bed without the concern of jumping or climbing to a considerable height.
And if your extra large puppy needs a bed off the ground, the Veehoo Elevated Dog Bed just might fit the bill. It’s extra durable and sturdy for larger, heavier dogs and won’t buckle under considerable weight.
Haven't decided yet? Here is the top 5 in a nutshell:
Our Top Picks
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If you're still not sure whether you should be buying one of these, you can read our guide to the best dog beds in the UK before you make a decision.
Alternatively a dog cooling mat in summer months could also replace a dog bed if your pooch is one of a breed that needs extra cooling such as Siberian Husky.
Sharing is caring
Paw-fect job reading the guide all the way to the end!
If you've already decided which one is best for your pooch, let us know in the comments section below why you choose that one.
Also why not be a good aunty or uncle and share this article with your friends, so that their pooch can also get the comfiest bed!
- References:
- Döring, Dorothea & Backofen, Ilona & Schmidt, Jörg & Bauer, Alexander & Erhard, Michael. (2018). Use of beds by laboratory beagles. Journal of Veterinary Behavior. 28. 10.1016/j.jveb.2018.07.004. Researchgate.net
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