Does your dog have aching joints? Perhaps your dog loses body heat easily?
A heated dog bed may be just what your canine friend needs and deserves!
Heated dog beds warm your dog’s body, keeping them cozy even on cooler days.
In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of heated dog beds, the factors to take into consideration when looking for a heated dog bed, and the seven best heated dog beds on the market today.
Best Heated Dog Beds: Quick Picks
Here are our top picks at a glance – read further for more detailed reviews!
Advantages of Heated Dog Beds: Who Are They Best For?
- Great For Seniors. Senior dogs aren’t able to self-regulate their temperature as well as younger dogs. Heated dog beds can help older dogs stay warm, while also alleviating arthritis pain and easing joint discomfort.
- Good For Outdoor Dogs. Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors will benefit tremendously from a warming dog bed to call their own. This is especially vital for pets that live in colder climates.
- Comforting for Puppies. Like senior dogs, pups aren’t as good at regulating their body temperature, so heated dog beds are a solid solution to keep puppies nice and cozy. Pups will also often miss cuddling with their littermates, and warming dog beds can create a familiar, comforting environment that reminds them of those cuddling sensations.
Types of Heated Dog Beds
Heated dog beds come in a few different styles and designs, including:
- Bolster. The traditional dog bed style, bolster dog beds have a cushioned bottom where the heating element is positioned, along with raised, cushioned walls around it where the dog can rest his head. Primarily for indoor use, bolster beds are great for anyone seeking a traditional-looking bed that’s also comfy and warm for your pooch!
- Flat Pads. Flat cushioned pads are often great choices for dog crates or confined spaces. Without the bolsters, flat pads fit in any area with the same dimensions as the bed. Often made of two or more orthopedic memory foam pads, these flat pad beds are easy to wash – often all you have to do is remove the zippered cover from around the memory foam to wash it.
Crate-specific versions of these beds come with slits in the corners, allowing you to hook the slits into the crate, preventing the mat from sliding around under your dog. These dog beds also come in a huge variety of sizes, so you can get the perfect size for your needs.
- Outdoor Heated Beds. Does your prized pooch spend most of her time outside? Some heated beds are intended specifically for use in outdoor locales like barns or doghouses. In my opinion, the best beds for outdoor use are those made of a sturdy material like PVC, because this material makes the bed easy to keep dry while still being comfortable for your dog. Many heated dog beds come with a liner made of fleece or other soft cloth that can be fit snugly over the PVC and be taken off for washing.
- Heated Furniture Cover. Another version of the heated dog bed is a flat sheet-like cover for the sofa with a heating element inside. This heating element can be moved around, allowing you to place the heating element under your pet’s spot, while you sit on the other end.
A major advantage of this type of heated dog bed is that you can easily remove the heating element and put the cover in a regular-sized washing machine to clean it. It will also provide a barrier of protection between your dog’s shedding hair and the sofa.
Best Heated Dog Beds Reviews: 7 Top Picks
In my research, I came across four amazing heated dog beds, all made by K&H.
K&H is located in Colorado Springs and is the biggest manufacturer dedicated to making heated pet products. Their products have been recommended by thousands of veterinarians for elderly animals and animals who need an extra boost to maintain body temperature.
K&H works with MET Laboratory to ensure the safety of their products, with the comfort and warmth of your pet as the main priority. Each of the four dog beds reviewed feature the quality and comfortability that K&H is well-known for and is specifically created for a particular function, such as outdoor use or use in a crate.
Keep the seven factors mentioned above in mind when reading these heated dog bed reviews and you should be able to easily determine which is the best for your dog!
1. K&H Self-Warming Crate Pad
About: The K&H Self-warming Crate Pads feature 1″ thick foam pads covered in quality microfleece.
These flat pads are great for dogs who sleep in their crates, as they radiate back the warmth of the animal to keep your canine cozy without the use of electricity.
Coming in 6 different sizes and 3 different colors, these crate pads fit most crates and room décor. The corner slits help them fit even in crates that are a bit too small for the pad, and the non-slip bottom will keep the bed in place for even the most hyper of dogs or the bumpiest of rides.
These comfy pads are also machine washable, allowing owners to easily toss them in the wash without worry.
Pros
Owners of this heated bed love it because it doesn’t slip or slide around, maintains a good temperature that doesn’t overheat their dogs, and the pads fit most crate sizes for a range of dog breeds.
Some people have taken issue with how thin the pads are. Compared to memory foam beds, it’s true that 1 inch of padding isn’t much. However, for most dogs the pad is generally thick enough to keep them comfy.Cons
2. K&H Outdoor Heated Bed
About: The K&H Outdoor Heated Bed is a new take on an old favorite, made with orthopedic foam covered in an extra soft and waterproof PVC fabric.
Featuring a steel-wrapped cord, you won’t have to worry about this bed’s safety. The heating element is also designed to never heat higher than the body temperature of your pet, keeping the bed from overheating your four-legged pal.
The heated dog bed includes an ultra-soft fleece cover that is easy to remove and clean in the washer.
This cuddly warm bed comes with a one-year limited warranty, which adds some security in case something does end up breaking down in the bed.
As long as your dog is not a chewer, the K&H Outdoor Heating Bed should make a fine addition to your porch, garage, or any other outdoor dog hangout.
Pros
Most people agree that this heated dog bed is great for its extra-warm surface and ease of cleaning thanks to the added fleece liner.
There are some who feel this bed is not safe because dogs can get electrocuted if they chew (this is a general fear owners have of any electricity-based unit). Not recommended for chewers, although your dog should be OK if he is not a chewer.Cons
3. K&H Thermo Snuggly Sleeper
About: The K&H Thermo Snuggly Sleeper is an oval heated dog bed, with comfortable cushioned bolster walls that give your pet a sense of security while providing low-wattage warmth.
This heated dog bed is available in 2 sizes and comes with a removable cover that is quick and easy to wash. You can also wash the entire bed can be washed in the washer after removing the heating element from its zippered casing.
The dual-thermostat heating element, buried deep within the bed, provides a warm – but not too hot place – for your arthritic or heat-challenged pooch to sleep.
Pros
Customers who buy this bed enjoy it for its versatility and the fact that if the bed gets worn out, the heating element can be removed and placed in another bed.
Some people say that this bed’s center is too thin, leaving your pet with not enough cushion between her and the floor, but as long as your dog is not severely arthritic, the cushioning should be thick enough.Cons
4. K&H Self Warming Lounge Sleeper
About: The K&H Self-Warming Lounge Sleeper is another popular, comfortable, self-heating dog bed for your beloved furry buddy!
Surrounded by extra-cushioned bolsters, the bed’s polyfill-stuffed bed retains your dog’s body heat, keeping him cozy without using an electric heating element.
For stability, the bottom is covered in a non-slip material, so it’ll fare well even on hardwood floors.
Available in small, medium, and large, you’ll be able to find the perfect size for your pooch.
To clean, simply place in the washing machine on the gentle cycle and line dry or put on the no-heat setting in the dryer.
Do not let the soft fabric of this bed fool you; it is very durable and will last for many nights of happy slumber.
Pros
Many people say that this bed is durable enough for use in a garage or shed and is so comfortable they would be willing to lay on it themselves!
Some dog owners have found that the pillow in the center is too cushy but cannot be removed; however the cushioning is perfect for most dogs.Cons
5. Best Friends by Sheri OrthoComfort Deep Dish Cuddler
About: The Deep Dish Cuddler is a luxurious, self-heating bed that will help keep your dog warm – and it will do so without requiring any power. This not only makes it convenient for home use, but it also means this bed is great for owners who travel with their dog.
Bolsters surround the whole bed, and the one at the rear (which will normally sit up against a wall) is extra-tall to provide maximum comfort.
This bed is machine washable and you can even toss it in the dryer once it’s clean (use a low-heat setting), and it has a waterproof bottom to help protect your floors from accidents.
This bed is available in 15 different colors, and it comes in two sizes: Standard (20” x 20” x 12”), for dogs up to 25 pounds, and Jumbo (24” x 22” x 13.5”) for pups up to 35 pounds.
Pros
Most owners were very happy with the Deep Dish Cuddler and reported that their dog uses it frequently. It comes with all of the bells, whistles and features most owners want, including premium fill material, big cushy bolsters, and a waterproof bottom. It’s also nice that the bed comes in so many different colors.
The only common problem owners experienced (aside from sizing issues) was the stability of the extra-tall bolster; many reported that it would just flop over, rather than staying upright. A few owners also complained that the bed wasn’t as durable as they’d have liked.Cons
6. ALEKO Electric Thermo-Pad Heated Pet Bed
About: The ALEKO Electric Pet Bed is an octagonal bed with an internal heating element that should keep your dog nice and toasty on cold winter nights.
A self-regulating thermostat is built into the bed, which means it’ll stay the proper temperature anytime it is on – you don’t have to worry about monitoring or changing the temperature setting at all.
This is also a comfortable and cozy bed. The sleeping surface is very soft, and it is also water resistant (making it a good choice for accident-prone dogs). It also features overstuffed bolsters around the perimeter to provide comfort and security, as well as additional insulation.
The bed comes with a six-foot-long, chew-resistant power cord, but you’ll still want to use caution if your dog is a problem chewer. The manufacturer lists the dimensions as 19” x 19” x 7”.
Pros
Most owners who tried the ALEKO Electric Pet Bed were pleased with their purchase. It seemed to work as intended, and most dogs found it very comfy (cats appear to like it too, so you may want to pick up more than one if you have a multi-pet household).
A few owners complained that the bed didn’t seem to get very warm, but this is likely the result of unreasonable expectations – these types of beds are only supposed to provide very gentle heat. A few also felt that the sleeping surface wasn’t very padded.Cons
7. American Kennel Club Self-Heating Pet Bed
About: The American Kennel Club’s Self-Heating Pet Bed is a high-quality, yet affordable pet bed, which provides your dog with a warm place to catch 40 winks.
And best of all, it helps keep your pooch warm without needing a power source – like most other self-heating beds, this bed contains reflective foil, which redirects your dog’s body heat right back toward him.
But even if this bed didn’t include a reflective interior, it would still be a great bed for everyday use. It features very durable foam backing and a plush, quilted sleeping surface to provide your dog with a very comfortable sleeping surface.
It also includes small bolster-like edges, which helps many dogs feel safe and secure (and it also gives them a great place to lay their head), while the bottom features a non-skid material to keep the bed from sliding around the floor. Additionally, you can actually machine wash this bed – just use cold water and the tumble dry setting on your dryer.
Pros
Most owners reported that their dog loved the American Kennel Club Self-Heating Bed. It seems to be very well made and retain its shape even after a trip through the laundry. The bed also comes in six different colors, which means you should be able to find one that matches your home’s décor.
The only real downside to this bed is its size: It is only about 22 inches long by 18 inches wide, making it too small for most medium-sized dogs.Cons
Our Top Pick For Best Heated Dog Bed
Of the four heated dog beds reviewed, our choice for the top pick is the K&H Self-Warming Lounge Sleeper!
While all these heated dog beds are snuggly and warm, we like that the K&H Lounge Sleeper is self-warming, which means it doesn’t use electricity to heat the bed. Technically even the electric beds are safe, but we rest a bit easier knowing that, with this bed, dogs won’t have any electric wires to chew into!
The Self-Warming Lounge Sleeper also has a more cushioned center that is better for arthritic animals. Since it is self-warming, it can also easily be moved from room to room, but still heats to a good temperature.
This bed is an especially good choice for dogs that sleep curled up in a ball, but can be purchased in a large enough size that the dog could stretch out if he wanted. It’s thicker and more comfortable than the self-warming crate pad, but can be found in a size that will fit a crate if needed.
Factors to Consider in Heated Dog Beds
There a few different elements to consider when shopping for your pup’s perfect heating dog bed!
Your Dog’s Sleeping Style
If your dog does not like the bed, she won’t use it! Your dog’s sleeping style is a major factor to consider, as it will determine what type of bed is best for your pup.
Does your dog like to sleep stretched out? Perhaps a flat bed would be the best option for her. Does she prefer to curl up in a ball and rest her head on a pillow? Then maybe the bolster is the better choice.
There are also good options for the dog who prefers to sleep in a doghouse or on the couch (outdoor and furniture cover respectively). Keep your dog’s sleeping style in mind and you’ll be sure to find a bed that suits her needs.
Heating Element & Safety
There are two methods beds use to stay heated – one is electric, and once is self-warming.
Dog beds with an electrical element must be plugged into an outlet to warm up the bed. Self-warming dog beds are controlled by natural thermostatic heat and use your dog’s own body heat to warm the bed up. Which version of a heating element you use is a matter of personal choice.
Some dog parents just do not like the idea of their pet sleeping on an electric bed – however, it’s worth noting that all products reviewed below are accepted as quite safe. Still, if your dog has a bad habit of digging or chewing his dog bed, you may want to avoid electric-based heating dog beds!
Make sure the heating dog bed you buy is safe by always checking the wires of the heating element and electric plug from fraying and cracks.
Also make sure to try the bed out on yourself before allowing your dog to get on it, to ensure that the temperature does not go too high. If the bed is for outdoor use and has an electric heating element, make sure it has a steel cover for the plug to prevent water and animals from damaging the plug.
Size
You’ll also want to consider the size of your canine friend and the size of the space where you will be placing your new heated dog bed.
You would not want to purchase a bed designed for a basset hound and give it to a German Shepherd! Likewise, a bed made for a Labrador retriever probably isn’t the best choice for a Chihuahua.
Matching the size of the bed to your dog’s size can make a world of difference in his comfort. However, you also should contemplate where you will be placing the bed. If you want to fill a crate with a flat heating bed, you should measure the crate to determine the right size. If you will be covering your sofa with a heated furniture cover, you will need to measure the dimensions of the sofa before buying a cover.
Cleanability
The ability to easily clean a dog bed is a major factor in many pet owners’ choice of heated dog beds.
Dog beds made of materials that are machine-washable are probably the best choice since you can throw it in the washer and not stress about spot cleaning.
Quality of Materials
While attention to quality is important for all dog beds, it’s even more essential with a heated dog bed. Poorly made heating materials can break down quickly, and very low-quality units can be a safety or fire hazard.
Quality materials will ensure that the bed is durable and can withstand heating, as well as your dog’s activity level. It’s also smart to look for a bed with a non-slip grip on the bottom to prevent the bed from moving all over the home (especially if you have a rambunctious dog).
Keep an eye out for materials like fleece and polyester, which will hold up to wear and tear much better than cotton or other materials.
Portability
Some owners really want a dog bed that can easily be moved around the home and taken on trips. If you travel a lot with a crate, you may want to consider the ease of using a flat pad that has slits for crates.
Flat pads and bolster beds are also more likely to have self-warming versions, which tends to be better for moving around the home and taking on the road – it can be hard to always find a plug on your journeys!
Price
Pricing is always a consideration for dog bed purchases – you naturally want to purchase a bed in your budget, but you don’t want to go too cheap either, as cheap beds tend to not be as safe or have quality materials.
If you know you’ll probably want to replace your dog’s bed every few years, buying a high-priced bed is not a good financial choice.
If, on the other hand, you hope to keep the same bed for many years, you probably want to look into a higher-end, high-quality bed that will stand up to the stress of time. Many beds also have warranties, which can help ensure that you get at least a few years of solid use!
Have you ever had your dog use a heated dog bed? What did he or she think of it? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Leave a Comment