Premium Dog Beds: A Guide to Quality Materials
What Materials Are Used in Dog Beds?
Choosing the right dog bed is crucial for the comfort and well-being of your canine companion. Dog beds come in various shapes, sizes, and styles, but what’s inside these beds is just as important as how they look. The materials used in dog beds not only impact their comfort but also their durability, ease of cleaning, and suitability for different breeds and needs. In this article, we’ll explore the most common materials used in premium and luxury dog beds and how each one affects the bed's performance.
Memory Foam
Memory foam is a popular material used in high-end dog beds, especially orthopaedic models designed for older dogs or those with joint problems. Memory foam conforms to the dog’s body, distributing its weight evenly and reducing pressure points. This is especially beneficial for dogs suffering from arthritis or hip dysplasia. The foam’s dense structure offers excellent support, ensuring that the bed doesn’t flatten over time.
One of the UK's most popular options when it comes to memory foam dog beds is the award-winning Baker & Bray Eco Luxe Orthopaedic Luxury Dog Bed.
These dog beds, available in a range of stylish colours to match or complement your home's decor, use solid premium-grade memory foam to form the base. They arrive fully formed and ready for your furry friend to test out. Unlike lower-quality options, there's no need to wait 24-48 hours for the memory foam to expand once the dog bed has been unpacked, as can be the case with lesser quality vacuum-packed foam.
Coupled with the fact that Baker & Bray use Global Recycle Standard material to make the covers of their premium dog bed's, its easy to see why the Baker & Bray bed was voted Telegraph Best Dog Bed 2024.
Orthopaedic Foam
Orthopaedic (orthopedic) foam is another form of supportive foam, specifically designed for therapeutic purposes. It is thicker and more resilient than standard foam, providing a firmer sleeping surface. This material is ideal for dogs with mobility issues, offering the comfort and support they need to rest properly.
Laboni's premium dog beds exemplify the use of orthopaedic technology in their innovative OrthoMattress design. This bedding solution combines cutting-edge materials and thoughtful engineering to provide optimal support and comfort for dogs of all ages and sizes.
Laboni's OrthoMattress Composition
The OrthoMattress features a two-layer construction, each layer serving a distinct purpose:
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Viscoelastic Memory Foam Layer: The top layer consists of high-quality viscoelastic memory foam. This material conforms to your dog's body shape, distributing weight evenly and reducing pressure points.
- Orthopaedic Foam Base: Beneath the memory foam, a layer of orthopaedic foam provides crucial support. This layer helps maintain proper spinal alignment and offers resistance to prevent the dog from sinking too deeply into the bed.
Shop Laboni Orthopaedic Dog Beds
Egg-Crate Foam
Egg-crate foam, often used in human mattresses, is a less expensive alternative to memory foam. It is designed with a convoluted surface that allows for better air circulation, keeping the bed cooler and more breathable. While it provides decent comfort and support, it doesn’t have the same level of durability or support as memory foam.
Egg-crate foam is typically found in budget-friendly pet beds. Its best use case regarding pet beds is for those who don't require the mobility support that memory foam offers.
Polyester Fibrefill
Polyester fibrefill, commonly known as polyfill, is one of the most affordable materials used in dog beds. It is soft and fluffy, offering a plush sleeping surface that many dogs find comfortable. Polyfill is often used in cushioned dog beds or pillows, giving them a lightweight and cosy feel.
However, polyfill tends to flatten with prolonged use and may not offer the same level of support as foam. It's more suitable for smaller, lighter dogs who don’t need orthopaedic support. Additionally, beds filled with polyfill are often easy to wash, as the material dries quickly.
This type of dog bed can often come vacuum-packed due to how easy it is to compress and how polyfill can then naturally expand.
Cotton
Cotton is a natural material that’s often used in premium dog bed covers. It’s soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for dogs with sensitive skin or allergies. Cotton beds can keep dogs cool during hot weather, as the material allows air to circulate easily.
One downside of cotton is that it tends to absorb moisture, which means it can become damp and uncomfortable if the dog sweats or if the bed gets wet. However, cotton covers are generally machine washable, making them easy to maintain.
Due to the natural origin of cotton, it is one of the most commonly used materials in pet bed manufacturing.
Its inherent absorbent nature allows for easy dyeing. This, in turn, enables a wide range of colors to be applied to the cotton when manufacturing pet beds. As a result, you can choose a dog or cat bed that fits in with your home decor.
Luxury dog bed brands that offer cotton upholstery, such as tadazhi, offer a range of styles and colours to help you find a bed that suits both your animal companion and your home.
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Conversely, organic cotton is also an option for those who prefer eco-friendly, chemical-free products.
Microfibre
Microfibre is a synthetic material known for its softness and durability. It is often used as a cover for dog beds, providing a smooth, suede-like texture that’s comfortable for dogs to lie on. Microfibre is resistant to stains and water, making it a practical choice for dogs prone to accidents or those that like to play outdoors and bring dirt inside.
Microfibre is also relatively easy to clean, as many microfibre dog bed covers are machine washable. Its durability ensures that the bed will withstand frequent washing and everyday wear and tear.
China is the world's biggest manufacturer of microfibre, and as such, the UK has no manufacturers of the material.
Fleece and Sherpa
Fleece and Sherpa are popular materials used in dog beds for their softness and warmth. Fleece is a synthetic material that mimics the feel of wool, while Sherpa is designed to resemble sheepskin. Both materials are excellent for providing warmth, making them ideal for colder climates or dogs with short coats.
Fleece and Sherpa are usually used as the top layer of the bed, where the dog sleeps, while the inner layers are made of foam or polyfill. These materials are also lightweight and easy to clean, though they may not be as durable as other options.
Fleece makes for a popular option in the use of cushion upholstery in cat beds and dog beds, partly due to its natural water-resistant and quick-drying properties. The fact that colouring is easily applicable to fleece means it can offer a visually appealing contrast when paired with a complementary or contrasting colour for the bed's base or outer material.
Pet Interiors leather & fleece cat bed MILA
Award winning brand, Pet Interiors, are particularly known for the level of options available in their range of pet beds with each component offering an option of its own.
Buffalo Leather
Another feature that is unique to Pet Interiors' products is their use of Italian buffalo leather. The hide of a buffalo is thicker and tougher than regular cow leather. This hide has an open-pored surface, which makes it easy to dye, allowing Pet Interiors to offer an array of colour choices in their luxury dog and cat beds. The velvety soft feel of the finished buffalo leather product is what gives it that luxurious and highly sought-after look and feel.
Adding to the above that this material is naturally strong, hard wearing, flexible, and water-resistant, making it an ideal material for high-quality pet beds.
These characteristics not only ensure durability but also enhance the overall comfort and look of the beds, signaling a premium product in the pet bed market.
Pet Interiors buffalo leather dog bed BOOX
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Nylon
Nylon is a strong, synthetic material commonly used in premium dog beds designed for outdoor use or for dogs that tend to chew or scratch their beds. It’s known for its durability, water resistance, and resistance to abrasions. Nylon dog beds are often used for dogs that live in colder or wetter climates, as the material can help keep moisture out and retain warmth.
While nylon may not offer the same level of softness as cotton or microfiber, it is practical for dogs that need a tougher, more durable bed. Some nylon luxury dog beds also come with a layer of padding or foam inside to provide extra comfort.
Other luxury dog bed brands, such as PillowVilla, infuse nylon with polyester to create covers for some of their dog beds, like the PUFFY: a plush, cosy, round dog bed. The soft cover and circular shape makes it your dog's safe-place. The pronounced walls make for a secure feeling because the gentle feeling of them on your dog mimics the sensation of being held or cuddled, which can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. This design, featuring a durable nylon and polyester blend cover, not only enhances the bed's longevity but also provides a soft, inviting surface that your furry friend will love to snuggle into.
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Cooling Gel
For dogs that overheat easily, beds with a layer of cooling gel can be a game changer. This material absorbs and dissipates heat, keeping the bed cool to the touch. Cooling gel beds are especially beneficial for breeds with thick coats or dogs that live in hot climates. Some cooling beds are made entirely of gel, while others incorporate a gel layer over foam or other materials.
The most common use of cooling gel technology in the pet world is found in cooling mats, which are usually used during the summer months.
If using a cooling mat with a young dog (or cat), supervision is imperative as the gel can be toxic if swallowed, should the mat become pierced through chewing.
Temperature Regulating Dog Blanket
Some dogs don't like the feeling of cooling mats, even when a blanket is laid on top of the mat, making keeping them cool a tough task.
The Baker & Bray Thermoluxe Dog Throw Blanket offers an innovative solution to this problem. This world-first temperature-regulating blanket uses NASA-created Outlast® technology to continuously absorb excess body heat when your dog is too warm and release stored heat when they're cold. The dual-sided design features snuggly fleece for winter and soft, water-resistant polyester for summer. Versatile and stylish, this hypoallergenic blanket can be used on dog beds, sofas, or any resting spot, providing year-round comfort and temperature regulation for dogs of all sizes.
Recycled Materials
Eco-friendly dog beds are becoming more popular, with many manufacturers using recycled or sustainable materials. Some beds are filled with recycled polyester, while others use fabrics made from reclaimed materials, such as plastic that has been recovered from the ocean. These beds are an excellent option for environmentally conscious pet owners looking to reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing quality or comfort for their pets.
Reclaimed and recycled plastics are cut down into fine fibres and processed in different ways such as weaving, sewing, and blending with different materials. Eco-friendly fabrics are not only durable and comfortable for pets but also the results are surprisingly inconspicuous and indistinguishable from traditional high-quality materials.
MISSOGNO Celestial dog bed
The MISSOGNO Celestial dog bed exemplifies this eco-conscious approach. Made from recycled ocean-bound plastic bottles, this hypoallergenic pet bed offers a sustainable solution that looks and feels premium. Its plush, teddy-like cover and supportive design, complete with orthopedic memory foam, ensure both comfort and style. This bed proves that eco-friendly options can be just as luxurious and functional as traditional pet beds, making it an excellent choice for environmentally aware pet owners.
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Premium Dog Beds Conclusion
When choosing a dog bed or cat bed, the materials used are often a true hallmark of the level of workmanship and quality. The choice of materials signals the level of premium or luxury that you are investing in for your pet's comfort and well-being.
High-quality materials like memory foam, orthopaedic foam, and premium fabrics such as buffalo leather or eco-friendly recycled materials not only provide superior comfort but also ensure longevity and durability. These premium components translate directly into a superior product that can withstand the test of time and daily use.
Investing in a bed made from superior materials means providing your furry friend with optimal sleep, helping them to be the healthiest version of themselves that they can be.
After all, a good night's rest is essential for their happiness and After all, a good night's rest is essential for their health and happiness.
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