Your Ultimate Guide to Dog Bedding Materials

Choosing the right bed for your furry friend is very important. You want your dog to have a comfortable place to rest through the day, sleep at night, and remain part of the family. How do you know you've chosen the right material for your dog's bed?

Take a look at these common materials and what attributes you may want to consider when selecting a dog bed. From an orthopedic dog bed to help support aging joints or a faux fur dog bed that is almost as fuzzy as your furry family member, bedding materials come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

What Are the Best Types of Materials for Dog Beds?

There are many options for dog bed materials. In fact, there are dog beds across the market made with almost any material you can imagine. But this can be problematic. Many manufacturers use low-quality materials to create their beds. Worse yet, some use materials that may not be safe for you or your pet.

To be honest, we’re biased. We believe that every pet bed should be made with high-quality, vegan, cruelty-free, Prop 65-compliant, and CertiPUR-US certified materials. All Animals Matter products are:

• Vegan
• Cruelty-free
• Compliant with Prop 65
• CertiPUR-US certified
• Made without ozone depleters, which means that you can protect the environment and keep your furry family member comfortable at the same time
• Made without PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP ("Tris") flame retardants
• Made without mercury, lead, and other heavy metals
• Made without formaldehyde
• Made without phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Our materials also have low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions for indoor air quality (less than 0.5 parts per million), which means better indoor air quality for your furry and non-furry family members alike.

As a rule-of-thumb, we highly suggest using materials that are sourced, constructed, and created using high-quality processes and safe manufacturing procedures.

It's also important to consider how you're planning to use your dog's bed when you determine what materials are best for your needs. When choosing a material for your dog's bed, consider these key elements.

Are you looking for a specialty bed for your dog's comfort?

As dogs age, they may have more joint problems, which can make it harder for them to get comfortable. A memory foam material in an orthopedic dog bed can help form to your dog's body and provide support for those aging joints.

Ultra-soft materials like Luxura-fill feel very comfortable for your dog, with a softer, more supportive surface that will help your dog feel less sore and achy when getting up. It’s important to consider both the feel (i.e., soft and comfortable) as well as the overall construction (i.e., supportive and cushioning) when choosing a comfortable dog bed.

Do you plan for the dog bed to go outside?

Outdoor dog beds have special requirements. They need to have material that’s water-resistant, fade-resistant, and extremely breathable. For example, we created Outdura® Performance Fabric specifically to combat the unique conditions of outdoor weather while simultaneously providing comfort and style.

Be careful when choosing an outdoor dog bed. There are some that are durable, yet rough and uncomfortable. Others may be comfortable but not able to withstand outdoor conditions. You can even find orthopedic outdoor dog beds, which provide comfort, durability, and support for aging dogs.

Obviously, you should never leave an outdoor dog bed in a raging thunderstorm, but your bed should be sturdy enough to survive morning mildew.

Is it important to you that the bed materials be hypoallergenic?

Look for bedding that is a good fit for every member of the family and won't set off potential allergies. Luxura-fill, for example, is designed to be hypoallergenic for the comfort of both your dog and your family members. This isn’t always easy.

Many dog bed manufacturers fail to list the materials they used to make their beds. In these cases, we recommend choosing a different brand or emailing the manufacturer to uncover every type of material used in the construction process.

Important: always ask about their manufacturing process. Bedding materials are often exposed to a wide variety of other materials during manufacturing. Many dog beds are made in large overseas factories that produce a wide variety of products.

What type of cover material best fits your specific needs?

Take a careful look at the material that will best fit your dog and your family's specific needs.

Polyester

Dog beds made from polyester are generally warm and fairly soft. They tend to be stain-resistant and tough enough to stand up to your dog's demands over time.

Faux Fur

Faux fur pet beds are soft, fluffy, and comfortable. Faux fur dog beds often add a luxurious note to your home and may also make your dog more comfortable, since they tend to be warm and fuzzy. Again, not all faux fur is built the same. Our Super Luxe 16-gram faux fur is designed to be luxurious and comfortable: the ideal solution for faux fur dog beds.

Suede

Suede dog beds can offer a softer, smoother feel. They may be less likely to feel cold when your dog settles in.

What material do you need inside your dog bed?

Take a look at the materials that go best inside your dog bed and how they may fit your pet's needs. Memory foam is the perfect solution for any dog bed, whether you're looking at a faux fur pet bed or an orthopedic dog bed for an aging pup.

Memory foams conform to your dog's body and can help make them more comfortable. Overstuffed Memory Spring Luxura-fill is a great way to offer your dog that comfort and convenience in a way that will stand the test of time.

What Types of Material Are Durable for Outdoor Dog Beds?

When looking for an outdoor dog bed, do your research! Look for a dog bed that is water-resistant, mildew-resistant, and fade-resistant. You may not want a faux fur pet bed or suede pet bed to go outside, since water and dirt may quickly end up ruining the luxurious surface. Polyester covers, on the other hand, are more likely to stand up to the test of time outside.

What Types of Materials Work Best for Comfy Dog Beds?

If you're looking for a comfy dog bed that your pet will love, try materials like:

• Overstuffed memory foam
• High-quality faux furs
• Suede

FAQs

Have questions about your dog bed? Check out the answers below.

Do dogs care if their dog bed is clean?

Dogs benefit from clean, comfy dog beds just like people benefit from clean, comfortable bedding and comfortable support! Look for a dog bed that your dog will fall in love with--and make sure you take the time to keep it looking its best for maximum comfort.

What are good non-toxic detergents for dogs?

Look for a scent-free, non-toxic detergent that is appropriate for your dog's needs. Many pet owners will use baby detergents to help clean their dogs' sleeping spaces. You may also want to try Tide Free and Clear, All Free and Clear, or Seventh Generation Free and Clear detergents.

Are dog beds machine washable?

Many high-quality dog beds, including the Animals Matter line, are not machine washable. While you can machine wash the removable cover, you'll need to spot treat the insert with a half vinegar/half water mixture.

Are you interested in learning more about the best luxury dog bed for your pet? Whether you're looking for faux fur pet beds or an orthopedic dog bed solution, we have you covered. Contact us today to learn more.