The 8 Best Memory Foam Dog Beds Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024
Written By Vedrana Nikolic | Canine Coach, B.A Ethnology & Anthropology, M.A Semiotics.
Edited & Fact Checked By Renae Soppe | B.A Journalism & Science.
Last Updated: 18th January 2024
Most dogs spend more time lounging around their bed than anything else, and they deserve the best dog bed possible while doing it! There is no better way to take your canine buddy's chilling time to the next level than with a memory foam dog bed.
However, choosing the best is challenging with the various memory foam dog beds on the market. So, with the help of other veterinarians and canine behaviourists, we formed an expert team to determine which brands have the comfiest bed and are most preferred by our dogs. After several weeks of testing out dozens and dozens of memory foam beds, we had some clear stand-outs that we can't wait to share with you ahead!
Today's guide will reveal the findings and help you find the best bed for your dog on the Australian market.
Quick Picks - The Top 3
Our Number 1 Pick -
The Barney Bed
- Thick memory foam mattress
- Den-like design for extra comfort
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Available in all sizes
- Neutral, stylish design
Runner Up -
Kazoo Wombat Plush Bed
- Supportive memory foam base
- Comfortable design with bolsters on all sides
- Removable cover
- Good value for money
Third Choice -
PETMAKER Memory Foam Pet Bed
- Supportive mattress
- Bolster for extra comfort
- Removable and washable over
- Affordable
Australia's Best Memory Foam Dog Beds Reviewed
So what is the best memory foam dog bed Australia produces? After months of testing dozens and dozens of options, the following are the ones are team of independent experts loved best. They're well-built, durable, and (in most cases!) won't break the bank.
#1: Best Overall: The Barney Bed
What sets this product apart from the rest?
Dr Kathryn Rosalie Dench - M.A VetMB MRCVS.
Gentle Dog Trainers Expert Reviewer
"In our dog bed tests, the Barney Bed scored the highest in all the quality scores. Strength and durability of material & orthopedic support. Although it's a high cost item, our test bed is still going strong over three years later. If you removed all the hair, you'd think it was brand new."
The Barney Bed is the highest-rated bed for dogs in Australia, and we totally agree with that. If you want to give your canine companion the ultimate luxury bed, this is the one to choose.
So why is the Barney Bed so awesome? First of all, the bed features an exceptionally thick memory foam base. Moreover, this bed has a den-like design with bolsters on all four sides to keep your pooch feeling all snuggled-up in there. Just like the mattress, the bolsters are made of memory foam. There is no place that is more comfortable for a dog to rest their head!
I personally loved how the bed is also very functional and easy to clean. All I had to do is unzip the covers, take the memory inserts out, and throw the cover into the washing machine. The foam inserts themselves are covered with a water-resistant lining (which coincidentally also helps repel dust mites).
The Barney Bed being tested by our independent expert team.
For this reason, there will be no need to wash the foam inserts. And if your dog is prone to accidents, so you are worried about the bed not being waterproof, Barney also offers a waterproof lining for the bed that can be purchased separately.
Related: The Best Human Dog Beds
This is one of the best features of Barney Bed for our panel of independent experts. We specifically mentioned this one, considering that our dogs love to go outside and play with water. It is great to know we'll never worry about their bed getting wet anymore and cleaning the foam inserts.
Finally, the Barney Bed comes in five different sizes - from S to XXL. The largest version is 2 metres long which is larger than the option from Kazoo in our number two slot. A memory foam dog bed in extra large can be hard to find, but this bed will fit even the largest dogs! It's also great if you have two dogs who love to sleep together.
Compared to the other options on this list, we specifically made the Barney Bed as our first choice because it has more sizes than Kazoo Wombat Plush Bed, up ahead, and you can ensure that all of your dogs can sleep comfortably regardless of size.
We love that their foam beds has this size range because some of our dogs love to cuddle with each other. So, having a bed big enough for them is something that we consider.
It is also the best bed for dogs who just gave birth, making them and their puppies comfortable, considering that this bed is one of the largest in the market.
Sadly, the Barney bed comes only in one colour. The colour is a stylish neutral grey, though, and it easily fits into any interior. If you don't like the colour, though, Barney also makes linen sets for the bed, which come in a couple of different colour options (and make cleaning the bed even easier).
This Barney Bed is suitable for small dogs like a Chihuahua to extra large dogs like a Great Dane.
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#2: Runner Up: Kazoo Wombat Plush Bed
The Kazoo Wombat Plush Bed is another great bed for dogs that features a memory foam mattress. Besides the mattress, this bed also features bolsters on all sides to provide additional support for tired joints and create a den-like feeling for your dog - much like our first choice.
These features of the bed make my dogs snore as they doze off to sleep on the comfy bolsters.
This bed from Kazoo also features a removable cover that can be washed in the machine. The cover is extremely soft on top and has a non-slip bottom panel. While the cover works great on a new bed, there is one thing we are worried about: the fabric doesn't look like it can withstand consistent wear and tear, and Kazoo doesn't offer replacement covers.
However, if you want to make sure that the cover lasts for a long time, I sometimes shake the dust or use a vacuum cleaner if it's not that dirty since the cover can be easily cleaned.
The Kazoo Wombat Plush Bed being tested by our independent expert team.
This bed from Kazoo looks a lot like our number one choice, the Barney Bed. It's considerably cheaper, but you get what you pay for. The Wombat bed will provide support and comfort for your dog, but it's nowhere as durable as the Barney.
However, compared to the third option, PetMaker, the quality of the materials is not compromised, making it our second choice, and you can still rely on this bed for your canine's comfort, whether it's day or night.
This Kazoo Wombat Plush Bed is suitable for small dogs like a Chihuahua to medium dogs like a Blue Heeler.
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#3: Budget Pick: PETMAKER Memory Foam Pet Bed
Memory foam dog beds are probably the best sleeping arrangement you can get for a dog. However, since a quality memory foam bed is essentially the same as what humans use, these beds can get quite expensive. This bed from PetMaker is probably the cheapest dog bed you can buy that features memory foam.
However, you can’t expect the same quality from a cheap bed as you can from the pricier ones. This doesn’t mean this bed won’t work for your dog, though. The thing is, the PetMaker bed features only 3 inches of memory foam - 1 inch of regular memory foam, and 2 inches of cooling memory foam.
The PETMAKER Memory Foam Pet Bed being tested by our independent expert team.
Below that, you'll find a 3 inch thick layer of egg-crate style memory foam. All in all, this kind of mattress is not too bad, but it will not mould to your dog's body as a bed made completely of memory foam would.
There are two more things we liked about this bed. First, it comes with a bolster along the backside that allows the dog to feel extra comfortable. Second, the cover on this bed is removable and washable.
The cover features a non-slip bottom and a strong hidden zipper which is always a plus. This is a unique feature of this bed that I love that is not present in Barney Bed and Kazoo. If your dog is like mine and likes to move around while sleeping, this is an excellent choice to keep the bed in place because of its non-slip bottom feature.
The sleeping surface is made of microsuede fabric, which is extra soft, so it's a good choice if you want to treat your dog to some extra luxury while sleeping.
This PETMAKER Memory Foam Pet Bed is suitable for small dogs like a Chihuahua to medium dogs like a Blue Heeler.
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#4: Best Memory Foam Dog Mattress: Sealy Lux Pet Dog Bed
Sealy is a company that makes memory foam mattresses for humans with a lot of success. That is why we had high expectations from them when they decided to expand to the dog bed market. And they have delivered! Their dog beds come with real memory foam mattresses, no worse than those used for people.
While Sealy now makes a couple of different pet beds, we’ve found that the Lux model works the best and offers the best value for money. Besides a thick memory foam mattress that is both supportive and comfortable, this bed also features bolsters on three sides, with an opening at the front.
The Sealy Lux Pet Dog Bed being tested by our independent expert team.
We found this design works great, as it provides support and coziness when needed, but the opening at the front makes the bed easy to get into even for dogs with reduced mobility, like mine. If you are looking for a bed that can help an elderly dog suffering from arthritis or similar issues, this might just be it!
Finally, the cover on this dog bed is removable and washable in the machine. That's something we expect from any good dog bed, since these beds do need to be washed from time to time. The Sealy Lux Dog Bed is also available in a variety of sizes and colours, so you'll surely find something that fits yours and your dog's needs.
Also, I like this brand because of its charcoal base. It keeps my dog's bed smelling good as it reduces odour. Even if it does not have a waterproof feature like Barney Bed, you won't have to worry about frequently washing the cover just to keep the bed smelling fresh.
Compared to PetMaker, Sealy Lux has a thicker memory foam layer. So you can make sure that your dog's bed will last and be durable.
This Sealy Lux Pet Dog Bed is suitable for small dogs like a Chihuahua to large dogs like a Husky.
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#5: Best Cooling Memory Foam Dog Bed: FurHaven Cooling Gel Memory Foam Dog Bed
Watching TV with your partner seems like quite an enjoyable activity. But then your dog tries to squeeze in between you two on the sofa, and bit by bit, you're pushed off of it. Dogs love sleeping on couches, so one way to solve your problem is to get them their own piece of furniture. This bed from Furhaven will definitely become your pup's new favourite sleeping place.
The bed features a bolster on three sides, thus resembling a sofa. This design allowed my dog to sleep on his side, curled up, with a raised head and neck, four paws in the air… you name it. There's plenty of sleeping space for dogs that like to stretch out, as well as two corners for nestlers.
This bed has plush faux fur on the top side of the cushion, while bolsters are covered with suede fabric. These materials are soft, but they're not the main reason for this bed's comfortability.
Every member of our team of independent experts agreed that the superstar of this product is the gel-infused memory foam, for two reasons. The first and the obvious one is that it conforms to your dog's shape, and that way, it provides joint support. The second reason is that gel has a cooling ability - it disperses the heat away, so your long-haired pooch can sleep carelessly even on a hot summer day.
This is one of the best features of this dog bed because, unlike Sealy Lux, even if it is placed fifth on the list, you can ensure that your dog can rest even if the weather is hot because the foam has a cooling gel inside it.
My dogs love to lie on cool surfaces during summer, and they won't have to look for a cold floor if they have this bed.
This FurHaven Cooling Gel Memory Foam Dog Bed is suitable for small dogs like a Chihuahua to large dogs like a Rhodesian Ridgeback.
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#6: Best Memory Foam Dog Bed with Headrest: LaiFug Memory Foam Dog Bed with Headrest
We've all heard the saying "like owner, like dog" and we can probably agree that there's a genuine similarity between humans and their canine companions. They pick up a lot of our traits, and I'm almost certain that resting the head on a pillow is one of those things. This bed from LaiFug is one of the best memory foam dog beds with a headrest, so your dog can feel just like they have their own pillow.
The first thing I noticed about this bed is its chic design. The suede cover comes in three beautiful earthy colours: slate grey, dark green and chocolate. Each option will surely complement different interior designs.
Having to choose among these three colours gives us an option to not compromise the aesthetics of our home and the comfort of our dogs. Unlike Snooza, our number seven choice ahead, which has only one option, fur parents can match the colour of their dog beds according to their interior design.
While suede gets dirtier faster than many other fabrics, LaiFug made the cover safe for machine washing. Therefore, your dog jumping on the bed with muddy paws is not the end of the world. This cover is water-resistant and acts as the first line of defence against moisture. Having this is such a relief for fur parents like me who have a very active dog that likes to play outdoors. You won't have to worry about cleaning their bed from time to time if you have this one.
Under the cover, there's a waterproof liner that protects the memory foam from getting wet. The bolster is generously filled, unlike most other beds on the market. Your pooch's head won't sink into it, which can be annoying.
Another thing our team of experts liked about this option is its durability. Unlike the above mentioned brands, they have a replacement policy - you can definitely believe that they know the capacity of their products and would guarantee you about its quality. This brand claims that its foam retains at least 90% of its shape and support for at least 3 years. They even claim that in case it flattens before that timeframe, they'll replace it!
This LaiFug Memory Foam Dog Bed with Headrest is suitable for small dogs like a Chihuahua to large dogs like a Rhodesian Ridgeback.
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#7: Best for Large Dogs: Snooza Big Dog Bed Chinchilla
Buying pet accessories is quite an endeavour when you own a large breed dog. Finding adequate harnesses, leashes, and clothes is hard, not to mention the dog beds. For some reason, manufacturers tend to forget that our large babies require as much comfort as tiny pooches do. Snooza specifically designed this memory foam mattress for dogs that fall under the "large" category.
This is best for fur parents like us who own some large breeds of dogs. If they don't have enough space, they might probably invade all of our bed space.
Our large pooches often suffer from hip and joint problems like dysplasia and arthritis. The bed is supposed to reduce discomfort and provide even support. That's why not just any memory foam bed would do. Beds for large breeds need to be made of a two-foam combo, like the Big Dog Bed is.
The Snooza Big Dog Bed Chinchilla being tested by our independent expert team.
The top part of the mattress is thick memory foam, while the bottom part is so-called 'load-bearing' foam. This part makes sure your dog's elbows won't pressure down the memory foam all the way to the floor.
I included this in the list because when it's compared to our number six option by LaiFug, their mattress is designed to support heavier weights of dogs so that the memory foam would not wear out easily. This helps the bed last longer than its competitors.
The top part of the cover features a beautiful faux fur in charcoal colour, while the base is made of two-tone furnishing fabric. The wrap-around zipper makes removing the cover a piece of cake. You can wash it on a 40-degree cycle and tumble dry it. The cover is water-resistant, but in the event a stain does manage to get through you can spot clean it.
The best thing about this product is that it promotes sustainability. This brand uses recyclable materials to make the dog bed. Every member of our panel of independent experts love the idea that the manufacturer helps you care for your dog and, at the same time, care for the environment.
This Snooza Big Dog Bed Chinchilla is suitable for small dogs like a Chihuahua to large dogs like a Rhodesian Ridgeback.
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#8: Best Waterproof Memory Foam Dog Bed: LaiFug Memory Foam Waterproof Dog Bed
There are multiple "wet" phases in a dog's life. First, they go through the "I'll pee just about anywhere" period, during which they're both the cutest and smelliest they'll ever be. Then, sometime through their teen years, their favourite pastime will be walking through puddles.
Finally, as they get old, some dogs start having occasional "accidents." With all this in mind, it seems worthwhile investing in a waterproof dog bed, and this model from LaiFug seems like an ideal choice.
The design of this bed is quite interesting. It consists of two pieces: the central part, which is made of memory foam, and the outside surrounding, made of regular high-quality support foam. The external foam frame is slightly taller than the middle part, so your dog can use it as a headrest after a tough day of playing fetch.
While this may sound similar to the previous brand, Snooza, and even our number one choice, Barney, the foam in this bed can be separated. If you need extra foam for another dog, it is great for emergency situations, which is also one of the reasons why this is one of the best dog beds in Australia.
With lots of waterproof beds, the first thing that wears down is the waterproof liner. That's because this already thin material gets weaker with the friction created by a dog's movement on the bed. While the liner on this LaiFug bed doesn't seem that thick, lots of our expert panel members praised its waterproof ability.
This bed is suitable for dogs under 70 kg, and it's also a great option for two smaller dogs who love sleeping together since there's so much headrest space.
Another thing that's good about this bed is its sewn-in pockets. If you want to make your floors as scratch-free as possible, like me, you will be happy because of this feature because it hides the metal zippers and protects your wooden floors.
This LaiFug Memory Foam Waterproof Dog Bed is suitable for small dogs like a Chihuahua to large dogs like a Husky.
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How I Choose a Memory Foam Mattress for Dogs
As you can see (and probably know), dogs sleep a lot. In fact, one could say, it is their default mode. When there is nothing special going on, most dogs will simply go to sleep. Because of this, it makes sense that every dog should have a quality bed - and getting a dog bed with memory foam is one of the best options you could get.
PRO TIP: “On average, most dogs spend about 50% of their day sleeping, about 12 hours in a 24-hour period. Puppies, large-breed dogs, and older dogs may sleep more, while small-breed dogs and working dogs may sleep less.” - Sandra Mitchell, DVM for PetMD
While for a young and healthy dog even the floor could be fine, but as dogs start getting older, they need a comfortable surface to sleep on even more. If you have decided to give your canine buddy the best possible treatment, here is what our team of independent experts say you need to consider to find a great memory foam dog bed:
Memory Foam
Dog bed memory foam is essentially the same memory foam used in mattresses for humans. Not all memory foam is the same though. The foam can be more or less dense, which reflects on the surface of the bed. However, in the case of dogs, this is not overly important - as long as it’s memory foam, they will find it comfortable.
What is important for you, when shopping, is to differentiate between different types of foam. Besides memory foam, you’ll find dog beds made with egg-crate memory foam or sometimes pillows made of shredded memory foam. While all these options are technically fine, if you want the best possible dog bed, look for those with an actual memory foam mattress that is at least a couple of inches thick.
Durability
When it comes to dog beds, you want something that can withstand everyday wear and tear, especially if your canine buddy is on the energetic side. Because of this, it’s important to look at the outer cover of the bed.
You want something breathable and comfortable for the dog, but also a fabric that is durable. Quality stitching can make a world of difference in this case, cause that’s where dog beds usually start to fall apart at first.
Maintenance
With any dog bed you buy, you have to think about cleaning. Even if your dog doesn’t smell and is very tidy, washing the bed is non-negotiable. Dogs can carry microorganisms and mites, therefore washing the bed at least twice a week is recommended (2).
When it comes to memory foam beds, though, you don’t want to wash the whole bed. That is why it’s a good idea to look for a bed with a removable cover that you can easily wash when you need to. If you don’t want to wash the cover all the time, though, you can also use linens on top of the bed and wash those.
My Final Thoughts on Memory Foam Beds for Dogs
As you have seen, memory foam is becoming popular in dog beds, and there is quite a lot to choose from. However, a quality memory foam bed is not difficult to spot, and the Barney Bed is just that. It’s a well made bed that will keep your dog comfortable, it is easy to clean, and replacement covers, and additional accessories are easily available. There's a reason why it's the number one choice from our team of independent experts. What more could you want?
Well, the only downside we could find to this bed is the slightly higher price tag than competitors. Although the Barney is well worth the price, if you want to spend less on your bed, we then recommend you consider the Wombat bed from Kazoo. What's important is that we choose what's best for us and for our dogs. As dog owners, we consider the pros and cons of things and do what is necessary, especially when it comes to our dogs' comfort and safety.
Want to learn more about dog beds? Check out our below guides:
FAQ
It’s hard to say what the best option is in every case, but memory foam beds are definitely great! Memory foam is relatively durable, it conforms to your dog’s body and provides support to achy joints. Overall, there are almost no downsides to such beds. The only case where memory foam may not be the best solution is if you live in a warm climate and your dog needs a cooling bed.
There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to mattress thickness for dogs. In general, the heavier the dog is the thicker you will want the memory foam to be. However, in any case, the mattress should be at least 3 inches thick in order to be fully effective.
It would be best for your dog not to chew up and swallow pieces of their memory foam bed. However, most pet parents have witnessed their dog chew up something they shouldn’t, at least once. The truth is dogs do pretty well in getting rid of swallowed pieces of things that are indigestible.
The thing to worry about is obstruction, which could be caused by your dog swallowing a large piece of memory foam. So, if your dog chews up the bed - don’t worry. But do watch your dog and if you notice them trying to vomit all the time or exhibit any other unusual behaviour - go to the vet.
References
- Mitchell, S. October 4, 2021. “How Many Hours Does a Dog Sleep a Day?”. PetMD. Retrieved November 6, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/behavior/why-do-dogs-sleep-so-much
- Fanslau, J. March 01, 2016. “The Guide to Washing a Dog Bed”. PetMD Editorial. Retrieved November 6, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/evr_dg_guide-to-washing-dog-bed