Types of Dog Beds Compared: Bolster, Mat, Cot, Cave and Pillow
Match the bed to how your dog sleeps: bolster or donut beds for curlers, flat mats and crate pads for sprawlers, raised cots for airflow and outdoors, caves for burrowers.
In short
- The best type of dog bed is the one that matches how your dog already sleeps: curled up, stretched out, tucked under something or flopped against a wall.
- Bolster and donut beds suit curlers and dogs who like a rim to lean their head on.
- Flat mats and crate pads suit sprawlers, crates and travel, because there is no wall to bump into.
- Raised cot beds lift a dog off the ground so air moves underneath, which makes them handy outdoors and easy to hose off.
- Cave and hooded beds suit burrowers and small dogs who like to tuck under a blanket.
- Measure your dog lying stretched out from nose to the base of the tail, then add roughly 6 to 12 inches.
Watch your dog nap for a week and you already know which bed to buy. The right type of dog bed follows sleeping style: a curler wants walls, a sprawler wants open space, a burrower wants a roof, and a dog who lives half the day on the patio wants something off the ground. Here is how each type works, who it suits, and how to size and care for it.
One note before we start: if foam and support are your main question, we covered that in its own guide, What Makes a Dog Bed Orthopedic?. This post is about shape and style.
Which dog bed type fits which sleeper?
Use this table as a quick map, then read the section for the type that sounds like your dog. Many dogs are a mix, and plenty of homes end up with two beds: a plush one in the living room and a flat pad in the crate or car.
| Bed type | Shape | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolster / donut | Raised rim on 2 to 4 sides, or a full round | Curlers, leaners, dogs who rest their chin on an edge | Walls eat into lying space; measure the inside |
| Flat mat / crate pad | Thin, even pad with no walls | Sprawlers, crates, cars, travel | Thin pads compress; check thickness |
| Raised cot | Fabric stretched on a frame, off the floor | Outdoors, patios, warm rooms, some chewers | Firm feel; add a pad if your dog likes plush |
| Cave / hooded | Bed with a fabric roof or attached blanket | Burrowers, small dogs, dogs who nest | Too warm for some; big dogs rarely fit |
| Pillow | Stuffed cushion, often reversible | Flexible sleepers, easy floor lounging | Fill can shift and flatten; shake it out |
Bolster and donut beds: for curlers and leaners
Bolster beds have a raised, stuffed rim around part or all of the edge. Rectangular versions look like a little sofa with three walls; donut beds are round with a deep, plush ring all the way around. Both give a dog something to press against or prop a chin on, which is why curl-up sleepers tend to head straight for them.
The catch is space. The walls take up room, so a 30-inch round bed has a smaller inner circle than you might expect. Look for the inside measurement, or choose one size up for a dog who sometimes stretches out. Rectangular bolsters with an open front are easier to step into than a full round wall.
Bolster and donut beds
Round donuts for tight curlers, sofa-style bolsters for chin-resters.
Flat mats and crate pads: for sprawlers, crates and travel
A flat mat is exactly what it sounds like: an even pad with no rim. Dogs who sleep flat on their side, legs out, use every inch of it. Because nothing sticks up, a mat slides into a crate, lies across a car seat or rolls up for a weekend away.
For crates, size the pad to the crate floor, not the dog. Crate pads are usually sold to match standard crate lengths, so check your crate's inside floor measurement and pick the matching pad. If you are still choosing the crate itself, start with What Size Dog Crate Do I Need?.
Flat mats and crate pads
Reversible, washable pads that lie flat in a crate or car.
Raised cot beds: for airflow, outdoors and some chewers
A raised cot bed, also called an elevated dog bed, is a sheet of tough mesh or woven fabric stretched across a metal or plastic frame a few inches off the ground. Air moves underneath, the surface dries fast, and the whole thing can be hosed down on the patio. Dogs who run warm or lie outside a lot often like them.
Cots feel firm and springy rather than plush. Some dogs love that from day one; others take a few days. Put a familiar blanket on top at first. Many cots tuck the fabric edges inside the frame, which leaves fewer seams and corners for a mouthy dog to grab. That helps, but it is not a promise: no bed is truly chew-proof.
Raised cot beds
Steel or aluminium frames with mesh or woven fabric, sized small to large.
A cot for dogs who test their beds
An aluminium-frame cot whose fabric edges wrap inside the frame, so there is no loose hem or exposed seam to start on. A good choice to try if soft beds keep getting unstuffed.
- Fabric edges tucked inside the frame
- Non-skid rubber feet
- Wipes down and dries quickly
Cave and hooded beds: for burrowers and small dogs
Some dogs dig under every blanket in the house. A cave bed (or hooded bed) gives them a built-in roof: a soft hood that holds its shape, or an attached blanket they can crawl under. Dachshunds, terriers and many small, short-coated dogs are known nesters, though any dog can be one.
Size matters more here than anywhere. A cave has to fit your dog lying curled inside with room to turn around, so most caves are made for small and medium dogs. If yours sleeps hot or pants under the hood, switch to an open bed with a loose blanket instead.
Cave and hooded beds
Sherpa-lined hoods and attached blankets for dogs who love to tuck in.
A classic cave for a burrower
A round, low bed with a sherpa-lined hood that stands open like a little shell, so a small dog can walk straight in and settle under the roof.
- Hood keeps its shape
- Soft sherpa lining
- Small size suits dachshund-sized dogs
Pillow beds: simple, flexible and easy to move
A pillow bed is a big stuffed cushion with no walls and no roof. It suits dogs who change position a lot, it fits under a coffee table or by a window, and many are reversible so you can flip to the cleaner side. The trade-off is that loose fill can shift into corners. Give it a shake and a fluff each week to keep it even.
Pillow and cushion beds
Plush, flat-topped cushions that move easily from room to room.
How to measure your dog for a bed
Measure your dog lying stretched out, from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, then add about 6 to 12 inches. That margin is the common rule of thumb in published sizing guides, and it gives room for paws and a turn-around. Measure width across the widest part of the body in the same position.
- Wait for a nap, when your dog is relaxed and lying in a favorite position.
- Run a soft tape from the nose to where the tail meets the body. Leave out the tail itself.
- Measure across the widest point, usually the shoulders or the outstretched legs.
- Add roughly 6 to 12 inches to each, leaning toward the larger margin for sprawlers.
- For bolster, donut and cave beds, compare your numbers with the inside sleeping area, not the outer size.
Washable covers, waterproof liners and chew-resistant fabrics
Dog beds get muddy, sandy and occasionally wet. A removable, machine-washable cover with a zip lets you wash the outside without wrestling the whole bed into the machine. A waterproof liner is a separate inner layer between cover and fill; it keeps spills and accidents out of the stuffing, so the inside stays fresh even when the cover needs a wash.
For chewers and diggers, fabric choice is the main lever. Tightly woven heavy fabrics such as ballistic nylon, and water-repellent wipe-clean polyesters, hold up better than plush fur. Hidden zips and tucked seams give fewer starting points. Even so, no bed is chew-proof: stay close when a new bed arrives, and pair it with proper outlets like the ones in Chew Toys for Strong Chewers. If chewing seems sudden or constant, ask your vet.
Tough covers and spare liners
Heavy-duty replacement covers, wipe-clean beds and waterproof spares.
- Check the care label before washing; many covers want a cool wash and low tumble dry.
- Keep a spare cover so the bed is never out of use on wash day.
Ready to compare? Browse every style in our dog beds collection, and introduce a new bed gently: put it where your dog already likes to rest, add something that smells like home, and let them choose it.
Questions people ask
What type of bed is best for dogs?
The best type is the one that matches how your dog sleeps. Curlers usually like bolster or donut beds, sprawlers like flat mats or pillow beds, burrowers like caves, and outdoor dogs often like raised cots. Watching a few naps tells you more than any label.
Is a bolster or flat dog bed better?
Neither is better overall. A bolster bed gives a curled-up dog a rim to lean on and rest a chin against, while a flat bed gives a stretched-out dog every inch of space and fits in crates and cars. If your dog does both, pick a bolster with one open side.
Are elevated dog beds good for dogs?
Many dogs like them, especially outdoors or in warm rooms, because air moves underneath and the fabric dries quickly. They feel firmer than a cushion, so some dogs need a few days or a familiar blanket on top. For any question about comfort and your dog's body, ask your vet.
What is a dog cave bed for?
A cave bed has a soft hood or attached blanket so dogs who like to burrow can tuck under cover. It suits small dogs and nesting breeds best. If your dog runs warm, an open bed with a loose blanket may be more comfortable.
How do I measure my dog for a bed?
Measure your dog lying stretched out from the nose to the base of the tail, then add about 6 to 12 inches. Measure the width across the widest part of the body the same way. For beds with walls, compare against the inside sleeping area.
Is any dog bed chew-proof?
No. Tough fabrics, hidden zips and frames that tuck the fabric away make a bed more chew-resistant, but a determined dog can damage anything. Supervise at first and give chewing a better outlet.
About the numbers
- Google search summary for "how to measure your dog for a bed", United States, read 2026-10-07: Measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, then add 6 to 12 inches to length and width.
- Google search summary for "types of dog beds", United States, read 2026-10-07: Bolster and donut beds described as suited to dogs who curl up or lean against a side; flat, cave and raised styles matched to other sleeping habits.
