Best Dog Beds for Small Dogs

While small dogs take up less space, eat less food, and drink less water—the quality of their sleep is just as important as it is for big dogs. In fact, many smaller dog breeds tend to sleep more than their larger counterparts. Because of this, it’s super important as a pet owner that you take the time to pick out the best dog beds for small dogs.

But how you do pick out the best small dog bed for your pup when there are literally thousands to choose from? Do you just close your eyes and point and call it a day? Of course not! That’s where we come in. In this guide, we’re going to share our favorite picks for the best dog beds for smaller dogs and include some helpful resources to help you in the selection and buying processes.

1. Bedsure Calming Dog Bed for Small Dogs – Best Cozy Donut Option

Whether your little dog likes to snuggle with you or snuggle by themselves, they’re usually big fans of places they can get some warmth and a sense of security. Enter the Bedsure Calming Dog Bed. This donut shaped dog bed is ideal for small dogs up to about 25 lbs. and even has an extra small option (that is actually designed for cats) but works perfectly for teacup and really small-sized dogs.

Bottom line – This bed is extremely snuggly, comes in two colors (dark grey or camel), and is 100% machine washable. And when we say 100% washable, we don’t just mean a cover—we mean you can toss the entire bed into the machine. This is amazing if your little guy or gal likes to get dirty or has an accident from time to time. You can’t beat the snuggle sense of security this bed brings to the table.

2. Casper Dog Bed- Best Memory Foam Option

Alright, there’s really no better way to say it than this—this bed is really cool. It takes the memory foam technology that the company uses in its top of the line human beds and brings it to the world of pets. Built out of incredibly strong bonded microfibers, the Casper Dog Bed is truly one of the best and most durable dog beds for small dogs. In fact, the extra material on top is designed to mimic loose Earth so the dog can dig in and feel right at home.

Bottom line – This dog bed for small dogs is thoroughly tested to withstand anything and everything your little furry friend can throw at it. Add in the 1-year warranty, free shipping, and fashionable design that includes sewn-in pockets to hide the metal zippers and protect your floors and you have a truly amazing option for smaller dogs to get that sleep they deserve.

3. Amazon Basics Warming Pet Bed – Best for Colder Dogs

At a price point right around $20, it’s hard not to get your tail wagging at this awesome dog bed for smaller animals from Amazon Basics. If you’re not familiar with Amazon Basics, it’s the large company Amazon’s efforts to offer affordable products that people want—made by them. What’s really cool about this option is that it’s a self-warming bed that utilizes the same technology as those emergency “space blankets” that you see first responders pass out from time to time. The one drawback to the bed is that you can’t toss it in the washing machine, but you can still spot clean it. And at around $20? We’re okay with that.

Bottom line – This is the ideal dog bed for small dogs for people who don’t want to overcomplicate things. The bed comes in multiple shapes and sizes and is ideal for the littler ones. This bed works great as a primary option or if you need a secondary option in another room where your dog likes to hang out (or on another floor), this is a winner.

4. Furhaven Mid-Century Modern Dog Bed- Best Elevated Option

If you’re looking for something stylish that gets your small dog up off the cold floor and away from the bugs, then the Furhaven Mid-Century Modern Dog Bed is going to be the winner. Technically, this is just the bed frame, but it’s 100% compatible with most Furhaven beds or most of the other beds we’ve mentioned in this guide. Here’s a link to the Furhaven collection, so you can pick out a matching bed.

Bottom line – Why do we like this elevated option for smaller dogs? First, the total height of the bed is less than 10 inches (and that’s measured to the top). Smaller dogs don’t need to be joining the Olympic high jumping team, especially if you want to protect their joints. With the lower height here and the adaptability with all of the Furhaven line of dog beds (and most other beds), this is a win if you’re looking for something elevated to elevate the sleep quality for your dog.

What are the best dog beds for small dogs who are older?

When you’re looking for a bed for older small dogs, the most important things you need to take into account are their joints and mobility. For this reason, elevated beds are certainly not going to be a great choice. And even if your dog is quite mobile now, think about how they might be as they start to get older.

For us, the best options are the ones that focus on support. Out of our list above, we’d recommend checking out the Bedsure Calming Dog Bed or the Casper bed. And if you really want us to tell you which is the best for older small dogs, we’d say go with the Casper memory foam technology.

Can I buy my small dog a larger bed they can grow into?

You certainly can do anything you want to do. However, we’d recommend spending the money to buy a size-appropriate bed, as long as it’s in the budget. If you know you’re only going to be able to afford one bed for the next few years, opt for something larger instead of something smaller. But if you can spring the few bucks, get your dog a bed that fits their size.

Why is this important? Dogs, especially smaller dogs, like to feel safe and secure. And part of that safety comes from feeling like they’re protected on all sides and snuggled up nicely. If you have them sleeping on a massive dog bed, they’re going to feel vulnerable and the same level of security as if they were just sleeping in the middle of the floor.

Again, budget drives the final decision here. However, if you really want to do what’s best for your dog, get a size-appropriate dog bed. Remember, the Amazon Basics option we listed above is only around $20.

Are dog beds for small dogs cheaper?

Yes! Thankfully, dog beds are priced according the amount of material it takes to create the bed. And with smaller dog beds, there is less material needed, which means lower prices. For example, the Casper dog bed for small dogs is over 40% less expensive than the exact same bed for large dogs.

Tips for Buying the Best Small Dog Bed

• Use the size charts – All of the top dog bed companies offer sizing charts or outlines to let you know what size bed is best for your dog. Make sure you take a few minutes to check the chart and get the appropriately-sized bed. If you aren’t sure how much your dog weighs (how most of the charts are set up), hop on the scale holding your dog and write that number down. Then get on the scale without your dog. Subtract the second number from the first, and that’s how much your dog weighs.
• Make sure you select the appropriate size – Picking out the right dog bed size is step one. But make sure when you’re checking out that you actually select the right size! Yes, this sounds like a silly no-brainer, but we’re saying it for a reason.
• When in doubt, go bigger – If you’re not sure which size to get or are in-between sizes, opt for the bigger size. You can also check the reviews from people who usually share how the bed worked for their dog’s size. And if you really want to get crafty, grab a tape measure and tape off the dimensions on the floor to see what it’s going to look like.
• Durability still matters – When you think of bigger dogs and their needs, you generally think more about durability because they can cause more damage and have bigger accidents. But little dogs can be rambunctious and cause some pretty sizeable messes that are nothing short of impressive. Because of this, make sure you’re taking cleanup and durability into account when selecting a dog bed for a small dog.
• Consider where you’re going to put the bed – This is a tip that we generally include with all of our buyer’s guides. Before you purchase a dog bed (for any-sized dog), think about where it’s going to go. Make sure it matches the design of the room and will fit in the space provided.