We all need to chill out every now and then, and the best calming dog beds will help your pooch feel comfortable, safe and secure.
Calming dog beds are essentially super-comfortable and supportive beds, made with lots of plush padding and comfortable materials – a lot like the best luxury dog beds. But they’re not just for bougie dogs who like the finer things in life. As expert vet Dr Lily Richards explains, “Sleep and rest are very important for dogs to stay healthy, grow, heal and for general well-being.”
Calming dog beds are ideal for dogs that get easily stressed out or scared. If your canine is prone to separation anxiety, gets scared by strangers, or is easily frightened by loud noises like fireworks then a calming dog bed is just what they need.
As an added benefit, the extra attention to comfort and support also means that calming dog beds are well suited to older dogs, or pooches suffering from long standing injuries, mobility issues, joint pain, or arthritis. They’re often designed like the best orthopedic dog beds, using all that cushioning to help distribute your dog’s weight evenly, letting them fully relax and feel at ease.
You will pay more for a calming dog bed than you would for some of the more basic options on our best dog beds list, but you’re getting what you pay for: high quality materials, excellent build quality, and supreme comfort for your dog.
The best calming dog beds 2024
Best calming dog bed overall
This Furhaven calming dog bed is cushy and comfortable thanks to its bolstered donut shape and long shaggy faux fur covering. A pocket-effect is created between the bolster edge and the inner pillow, which is useful for burrowing, giving your dog somewhere to hide treats and toys.
The zipped interior liner lets you refill or replace the stuffing as necessary. You can also remove the bed’s cover (on the medium and large variants), making it completely machine washable and you get a 90-day limited coverage warranty against material defects.
There are options for small, medium, and large dogs, with the largest option supporting dogs of up to 75lbs (about the size of a golden retriever, but not suitable for very large dog). The shaggy fur is also not ideal for destructive dogs.
Reasons to buy: It’s available in a range of sizes, the cover is removable and machine washable, and the interior padding can be refilled or replaced.
Reasons to avoid: It’s quite expensive and not suitable for larger, or more destructive, dogs.
Best budget calming dog bed
If you’re on a tight budget, this donut-shaped calming dog bed from Nonofish is our recommendation. The raised rim edges work as a pillow for your dog while their body rests in the sunken center, offering them maximum comfort.
Finished with faux fur, the material is ultra soft, warm, and comfortable, and is well-suited to dogs who like to curl up to go to sleep.
The underside has non-slip dots to keep the bed in place. It comes in a variety of sizes including small, medium, large, and even extra-large, and there are tons of color options to choose from too.
You can technically clean it in a washing machine, but the cover isn’t removable so you’ll have to put the whole thing in, which means it will take a long time to dry out. As a result, spot cleaning by hand is preferable for smaller messes.
Reasons to buy: It offers excellent value for money and comes in a variety of size and color options.
Reasons to avoid: The cover isn’t removable which means hand washing is your only real option.
Best washable calming dog bed
If your dog is a bit of a mucky pup, then you should invest in a dog bed that’s super easy to clean and wash. This Donut Cuddler has a removable faux shag fur cover that’s fully machine washable and dryable – in fact it’s recommended that you tumble dry it, too, to prevent matting of the fur cover.
The bed itself is a donut shape, with a sunken center for your dog to snuggle in and a raised rim that can act as a pillow. The AirLoft fiber filling provides maximum comfort, and your pup can use the deep crevices to burrow and hide toys.
There are a variety of sizes to suit different dog breeds, and several colors for you to choose to help it match your home’s decor. The beds are designed and shipped from Los Angeles, and all the materials are responsibly sourced, with local customer service on hand to help via email or phone.
Reasons to buy: It’s fully machine washable, resistant to wear and tear, comes in a variety of sizes and colors, and it’s made using pet-safe materials.
Reasons to avoid: It’s expensive compared to competition, and you really do need to tumble dry it after washing —- air drying can cause clumping.
Best orthopedic calming dog bed
This orthopedic is an ideal choice for dogs that need both comfort and support. The raised edges of the donut-shaped design provides head and neck and support, while the sunken center makes it super comfortable to snuggle into. The faux fur covering is also self-warming, keeping your pet nice and toasty.
Lightweight and portable, this bed is filled with recycled polyester fiber filling that recreates a nest-like feeling and promotes a feeling of safety and security. It can be machine washed on a cold wash (and tumble dried on a low heat), but the manufacturer recommends using hand washing if possible.
The dog bed comes in four size options (XS–L) and has a non-slip underside to keep it in place. There are multiple color options to choose from too. While it’s made with pet-safe materials, it’s not recommended for dogs who chew heavily.
Reasons to buy: Made with petsafe materials, Comfortable design, self-warming faux fur coat.
Reasons to avoid: Not suitable for very large dogs or excessive chewers.
Best calming dog bed for burrowers
Unlike most of the donut-shaped calming dog beds on our list, the PetFusion Cuddler goes for a more traditional rectangular shape. It focuses on alleviating your dog’s anxiety by letting them burrow into the large, loose blanket that coats the bottom of the bed.
The high walls of the edges of the bed provide good support for the head and neck, while the bed itself has a pet-safe memory foam base for ultimate comfort and to help reduce problems such as joint pain. If you need to freshen the bed up, the covers are removable for machine washing and tumble drying (gentle/cold settings), with spot cleaning being recommended for light stains.
It’s not the cheapest bed on the market, but with high-quality materials that is to be expected. It’s also only available in one color and two size options, so it’s not suitable for large dog breeds.
Reasons to buy: Ideal for burrowers, easy to clean, super soft material.
Reasons to avoid: It’s not suitable for larger dogs, quite expensive compared to similar sized options.
Best calming dog bed for small dogs
If you're looking for a cozy and comfortable hideaway for your little furry friend, this cuddly small dog bed from Gasur is hard to beat. Featuring an attached pet blanket, this covered bed is ideal for any small dog that loves to burrow and snuggle.
The soft and plush interior fabric coupled with the chamois microsuede hood provides breathable warmth to promote better sleep and help relieve sore muscles and joints. You can also fold the hood down and use it as a blanket to tuck your canine companion in for the night.
Measuring 23" x 23", this bed is suitable for small dogs up to 20 lbs, but there's also a medium-sized version available that measures 26" x 26" and supports pups up to 30 lbs. We love how easy this cuddler is to care for too - simply pop the entire bed in the washing machine and voila, you'll have a fresh and clean bed in no time!
Reasons to buy: Supports better sleep, easy to wash, good value for money
Reasons to avoid: Only one color option, strange looking design won’t be to everyone’s taste.
Best calming dog bed for the couch
Looking for a way to keep your sofa fur-free while also offering your canine companion a snuggly spot to snooze? Then this couch cover from Tinaco could be just the ticket. Ultra soft and plush, it's made from cuddly faux fur fabric to provide the ultimate in warmth and comfort, so a good night's sleep is all but guaranteed.
The three-sided bolster design creates a feeling of safety and security, and the waterproof lining means you don't have to worry about any accidents your dog has seeping through onto your sofa cushions. It's also durable and incredibly easy to clean - simply pop it in the washing machine, air dry and it'll be as good as new.
It comes in three generous sizes (S–L) and it will suit all dogs up to 85 lbs. It's also suitable for the car, floor and bed, and comes in a choice of four stylish colors, so you can rest assured that you'll easily find one that blends into your decor.
Reasons to buy: Ultra soft and plush, variety of colors and sizes, leakproof and non-slip
Reasons to avoid: Not suitable for extra large dogs, not a standalone dog bed.
Best calming dog bed for Brits
Silentnight is a huge mattress brand in the UK, so they know how to make a comfortable bed for any animal. This calming donut-shaped pet bed is ideal for creating a calming environment for your pooch, giving them somewhere warm and cozy to snooze.
It has a super-soft plush cover that’s still surprisingly durable, while the Hollowfibre filling offers maximum comfort by supporting your dog’s weight evenly. It’s also fully machine washable so you can keep your dog’s sleeping environment clean and tidy. There is a non-slip base to keep the bed in place too.
Silentnight isn’t really a thing outside of the UK, so readers in America and the rest of the world might struggle to order one of these, but for Brits this is our top pick.
Reasons to buy: Calming donut shape, Soft plush cover, Machine washable
Reasons to avoid: Not available outside the UK
What makes a dog bed a calming dog bed?
Calming beds are generally circular or oval with long pile faux fur and a central deep soft nesting area with raised edges.
As Dr Lily Richards explains, “the theory behind the calming beds is to lie the dog deep within the bed, surrounding them with comfort contributing to a feeling of security as they would have felt with their mother/ litter mates when young and simulating the “den environment” of mature dogs.”
Having an extra comfortable and stress-reducing environment to sleep in can also promote longer sleep and rest periods, which Dr Richards explains can have a positive effect on dogs who experience stress and anxiety.
On top of the physical and emotional comfort they offer, calming dog beds can also offer health benefits. “The bed design offers support for the dog's head, neck and back which is great for older dogs or those prone to orthopedic pain, joint, and muscle pain” states Dr Richards.
Do calming dog beds actually work?
OK, so we’ve covered what calming dog beds are, but do they actually work? We spoke to one of our expert vets, Dr. Hannah Godfrey, to get the lowdown on these specialized dog beds
“Calming dog beds are typically doughnut-shaped with raised sides to help surround your dog, making them feel safe and secure.” explains Dr. Hannah Godfrey. “Anxious or sensitive dogs will often prefer this bed design, because they feel more enclosed and protected, which in itself makes relaxing in the bed feel warm and comfortable.”
Calming dog beds aren’t a magic fix though, and while they offer a lot of comfort to stressed dogs, they only work if you can convince your furry friend to use them. “While a calming dog bed will help your dog feel more relaxed when they’re sleeping or relaxing, getting them to use the bed during a stressful event might not be so easy,” says Dr Godfrey.
It’s important to combine calming dog beds with other products, such as the best calming dog treats, and training to ensure that your pooch knows how to respond when something stressful is happening. As Dr Godfrey puts it, “If your dog is anxious during fireworks, they might run around frantically, pace, or bark, if you haven’t prepared for the situation by creating a safe space for them, using sound desensitization methods in the months prior, and using calming sprays or diffusers.”
Figure out what situations cause your dog stress and work with them to alleviate those issues. Some dogs hate fireworks, others find meeting new people stressful and some suffer from separation anxiety. Whatever their triggers, be sure to encourage them to use their calming bed rather than just hoping they figure it out on their own.
Dr. Lily Richards is a vet with 11 years of experience in farm, equine, small animal and exotic patient care. After running a busy clinic she took a step into client education focusing on getting the right information to those that need it and are searching for help and advice from professionals online.
Dr Hannah Godfrey studied Veterinary Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College London. After graduating in 2011, Dr Godfrey went on to become a veterinary surgeon, conducting surgery consultations on a range of animals at a small independent practice in Cardiff, South Wales, UK. Dr Godfrey has a strong interest in soft tissue surgery. When she’s not helping animals back on their feet, Dr Godfrey writes a number of veterinary and animal-focussed articles.
