The Best Washable Dog Bed Options Available In Australia

Have you discovered that your dog’s bed is notoriously difficult to wash? Ready to find the best possible dog bed that is also not a nightmare to clean? If the answer is yes, then today’s list is for you. 

We’ll help you find a washable dog bed that will suit your dog perfectly. So what makes us such experts? We teamed up with veterinarians, dog behavioural experts, and dog parents alike to test our several dozen of the top washable dog beds. After months of research and plenty of debate, we settled on this list of the very best washable dog beds Australia offers. Let's explore your options!

The Importance of Washing a Dog Bed

If your dog mostly lives in the house and is generally clean and well-behaved, it might take a long time for their bed to start looking like it needs washing. However, the truth is, all dog beds should be cleaned on a regular basis. This is because dog beds are perfect breeding grounds for germs.

So, even though your dog probably won’t mind a dirty bed, it is always a good idea to wash it frequently, and even more so if you have small children in the house who might come into contact with the bed. If the bed is not machine-washable, cleaning can be really time consuming. Luckily, there are many dog beds available that can be simply thrown into the washing machine.

How to Choose a Machine-Washable Dog Bed?

When it comes to washable dog beds, the first thing to check, of course, is the instructions for washing. There is no universal answer we can give here - every manufacturer will have their own directions for washing the bed. However, there are two paths you can go: choose a bed that is completely washable (meaning you don’t need to take anything apart) or one with a removable cover that is washable.

Related How To Choose The Right Size Dog Bed?

The advantage of beds that are washable as a whole is, of course, the fact that you don’t need to do anything before washing. However, these also do take longer to dry. A removable and washable cover might be a better solution for washing frequently, and the pillows can be cleaned from time to time too.

Is It Dryer-Safe?

Not all dog beds are dryer-safe. However, being able to put the bed (or the cover) in the drier does save a lot of time and helps sanitise the bedding. So, if you have a drier, it might be a good idea to look for such a bed.

Type of Filling

It’s nice that a bed is washable, but it is what’s inside that determines the quality of the sleeping surface. Beds with polyester filling are generally easiest to wash. Many of them can be washed in the machine on a gentle cycle, but always make sure to check the specific instructions first. These beds can be very soft and comfortable, but some dogs do need more support than that.

In fact, our panel of experts suggest that if your dog is suffering from joint issues or arthritis, for example, or you just think they could benefit from a more supportive bed, you might want to consider a memory foam option. While it’s possible to clean memory foam, it is nowhere as easy as other types of filling. However, you do usually get a washable cover with memory foam beds.

Cover Material

If you want to wash your dog’s bed in the washing machine on a weekly basis, it’s a good idea to make sure that the external cover of the bed can take this. There is a trade-off involved here. The softest covers will usually be the ones that deteriorate the quickest from effects of the washing machine. The stronger materials that are not so soft to the touch will hold up better after many washing cycles. In the end, it’s up to you and how you plan to maintain the cleanliness of the bed. 

The Best Washable Pet Beds 2024 Reviewed

There are many dog beds available on the market today, but not all of them are easy to clean. We did the research for you and after months of trial and error alongside our independent panel of experts, compiled the following list. Below, you’ll find some great comfortable beds that are machine-washable too!

This bed from HappyCare Textiles is a great year-round choice for your canine companion. It has a reversible design that allows you to pick the surface according to the weather. One side has a knitted corduroy which is great during winter periods since the material is warm and comfy. The other side features a smooth, faux suede which gives your dog a cooling effect during hot summer days.

This bed has a rectangular shape, which gives your pooch plenty of space to stretch their legs. It features bolsters all around the edges, so that your dog can have a sense of safety and security while sleeping. The front bolster is a bit lower than the other ones, which allows your pet to come in and out. These pillow-like bolsters sets this bed apart from our number two and three choices. There’s also a white dog paw applique on the front side, which is a neat detail. 

However, our research team was dismayed to learn that the bed comes only in one size that fits small to medium dogs. Therefore, large pooches, unfortunately, won’t be able to enjoy this bed.

Once the bed gets too many muddy paw prints on it, it’s easily washable. There’s no removable cover - the whole thing goes into the washing machine. However, keep in mind that both suede and corduroy are somewhat sensitive materials, so a gentle cycle is recommended. Furthermore, corduroy attracts lint, so it’s best you wash the bed alone in the machine.

This bed from SlowTon comes in a doughnut shape which is designed for dogs who love sleeping curled up. The edges are raised up a bit, which allows them to rest their head and neck while sleeping. Plus, raised edges make your pooch feel safe while they're in the land of dreams.

The bed is super soft - it has a high-quality synthetic plush fur which will make your dog feel like they are sleeping on clouds. What’s even more important is that the fabric is also breathable enough that your canine companion can use it even during warmer periods.

I especially loved how the bottom of the bed has high-density fabric with anti-skid sticky beads. I could rest assured the bed would stay in place when my playful pooch jumped onto it while in the midst of zoomies. Bed cleaning is a piece of cake - once it gets dirty, you can hand-wash it or simply throw it in the washing machine. The bed is also safe for tumble drying on low heat.

Related: Best Calming Dog Beds.

There are three earthy colour options you can choose from: khaki, coffee brown and dark grey, all of which will beautifully blend into any kind of interior. And unlike our number one choice, the bed comes in five sizes, ranging from XS to XL. XL is a bit misleading though - the largest one is suitable for pets up to 20 kg, so anything larger than a Spaniel or a Whippet won’t fit on it.

For more luxury dog beds, check out this guide.

Here’s a bed that’s designed with our large fluffy friends in mind - it comes in two sizes, L and XL, so even a Great Dane could enjoy the comfiness this bed provides. Grey is the only colour option available, but it’s a colour that blends well into any decor.

The bed has a 7.5 cm memory foam base which provides comfort while also reducing joint pain, which our independent experts note makes this a great choice for elderly pets too. Two sides feature a solid foam bolster which gives your pooch a place to rest their head after a tiring playtime.

The bed comes with a removable microsuede polyester cover that you can easily spot clean and remove hair from. If it gets dirty, don’t worry; it’s safe for machine washing. The cover is water-resistant so don’t stress if your pooch jumps onto it straight from the bath.

Furthermore, the inner liner is waterproof, so possible wet accidents won’t make it all the way through to the memory foam mattress. The cover has two zipper compartments, which makes it easier for you to reassemble it after washing. The non-skid bottom makes sure that the bed doesn’t move around the tiles or hardwood floors.

PetFusion offers a 12-month warranty on any part that’s broken due to manufacturer defect, which is always a neat addition - no one wants to open a package a get a faulty product.

If you have a large canine companion, make sure to check out this guide where we talk about the best large dog beds exclusively. Or click here to find out more about orthopedic beds for dogs.

FurHaven knows that pets of all sizes need the same amount of comfiness while sleeping, so this bed comes in sizes from Small to Jumbo. There’s also plenty of colour options to choose from, which is even more than our number two pick - from orion blue to wine red, you can rest assured that any colour you pick will look lovely in your home.

The bed has a three-bolster design that resembles a couch, and all dog owners know how much their pets love sleeping on couches. There’s plenty of space for a dog to rest their head and to sleep in just about any position.

This bed features an egg-crate orthopaedic support foam which distributes the weight evenly, and that way it soothes pressure points while increasing the airflow through the bed. The foam makes this bed a great option for disabled and elderly dogs. Sizes S to L have a 7.5 cm thick foam, while Jumbo size features a 10 cm foam, so you can rest assured the bed will be comfortable even after years of use.

Don’t worry about the bed getting dirty - it’s super easy to clean. Unzip the cover, remove pillow bolster inserts and foam base and throw it into the washing machine. You can put it inside a mesh laundry bag if you’re worried about how it will come out, but we can assure you it’s 100% machine safe. Unlike our last choice, this fabric is not water resistant.

This bed from Fuzzyard is another adorable bed that is completely washable. What we like about this bed is how fluffy it is. It includes 5 pillow inserts. The largest one is obviously at the bottom of the bed and it is quite thick and comfortable. However, what makes this bed really special are the pillow inserts on all 4 sides of the bed.

We think this kind of bed is the best fit for smaller to medium dogs, as they will love curling up in a corner. However, the Lounge bed does come in 3 sizes which means even larger dogs could enjoy it. Since it has bolsters on all four sides, our independent experts note that elderly dogs and those with mobility issues may find entering and exiting the bed challenging.

This option from Fuzzyard is really easy to clean too. Similar to our last choice, the pillow inserts can be taken out of the cover for washing. This means you can wash just the cover, but you can also wash the pillows if needed - or just air them out if they are not that dirty. Keep in mind that it’s recommended to use a gentle cycle when machine washing.

If you are looking for a washable mat you can place into your dog’s crate, this option from HappyCare Textiles is definitely worth looking into. This is a simple dog bed, but one that our research team believe will actually satisfy most dogs’ needs.

The bed is made with extremely fluffy sherpa fabric, making it incredibly soft, warm, and cuddly. In short, it is something most dogs will love sleeping on. It's similar to our number two choice since it's soft and fuzzy, but unlike the number two bed, it is square and ideal for crating. It will help create the feeling that the crate is their own den. On the bottom side of this mat there is vinyl lining which adds a bit of water resistance and prevents slipping.

So far, we have established that this mat tends to make dogs happy, but it can make you happy as well with how easy it is to clean. When the bed gets dirty, simply put it in the washing machine and let dry.

You can find our detailed review of best dog crate beds available in Australia here, and more about budget friendly dog beds here.

Final Verdict

When it comes to washable dog beds, our independent experts were able to find great choices so you can wash the whole bed or just the outer cover. If you are looking for beds that are completely washable, the HappyCare Textiles Reversible Rectangle Pet Bed and the SlowTon Pet Calming Bed are our top recommendations.

The first one is more of a standard bed, while the second one is more like a fluffy cloud. The right choice will really depend on your canine buddy’s personality. In any case, we hope this guide has helped you find the perfect bed!    

References

1. Fanslau, J. March 01, 2016. “The Guide to Washing a Dog Bed”. PetMD. Retrieved April 19, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/evr_dg_guide-to-washing-dog-bed
2. Arnold, B. September 29, 2020. “ICK! Your Dog’s Bed is One of the Top 10 Germiest Places in the Home”. The Dogington Post. Retrieved April 29, 2023. https://www.dogingtonpost.com/dogs-bed-top-10-germiest-places/