Once the heating goes on, cats and dogs go looking for the warmest spot in the house, and it is often your bed, sofa or a windowsill above the radiator. A bed of their own solves the problem, but only if it suits the pet’s size, shape and habits. Otherwise an expensive new bed sits empty while the cat carries on sleeping in a cardboard box. We gathered advice from the Chewy, PetSmart and PetsRadar guides on what to look for, and picked six popular beds from AliExpress.
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Step 1. Measure your pet
Size matters more than anything else. For a dog, Chewy advises measuring the length from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail and the width at the widest point, usually the shoulders. If your dog falls between two sizes, choose the larger one. PetsRadar adds an important caveat: a dog that sleeps stretched out may need a bed about 30 cm longer than its body from nose to tail. Dogs that sleep curled up need less extra room.
For a cat, PetSmart recommends measuring the relaxed animal from nose to the base of the tail and adding 5 to 10 cm. Chewy puts it the same way: a good cat bed is only slightly longer than the cat. For a cat that likes to sleep curled up, a bed that is too big is worse than one that is too small, because cats like the sides to touch their body.
Step 2. Watch how your pet sleeps
This tells you which shape to pick. Spend a couple of days observing where and how your pet settles down to rest.
- Sleeps curled up. Round doughnut beds and models with raised sides work well. According to PetSmart, high sides wrap around the body and help hold in warmth. PetsRadar suggests doughnut beds for small short-haired dogs.
- Sleeps stretched out. You need a flat cushion or a rectangular mattress of the right length. A doughnut would be too cramped, and the paws would hang over the edge.
- Likes to rest their head on something. Look for a bed with a bolster: it makes a comfortable chin rest.
- Hides under blankets and in boxes. A covered house or a semi-enclosed nest will suit them. PetSmart notes that such beds are especially good for shy and anxious cats, and the enclosed shape traps body heat and protects against draughts.
Step 3. Material and care
Soft fleece and faux fur are popular, but PetSmart advises avoiding materials that may irritate the skin. The most important practical point is washing. A bed collects hair, dirt from paws and smells, so a removable cover, or the ability to wash the whole thing, makes life much easier. PetsRadar suggests thinking in advance about how you will clean it: spot cleaning, the washing machine or taking off the cover. For active dogs and chewers Chewy recommends tougher fabrics, and a water-resistant cover, in their words, makes cleaning easier and extends the life of the bed.
Thickness matters too. Chewy says cats are usually comfortable on bedding 2.5 to 7.5 cm thick. For dogs a simple rule applies: the bigger the bed, the thicker the mattress should be.
Step 4. A warm bed or a heated one
In winter many people consider a heated bed. There are two options:
- Self-warming. These use materials that reflect body heat back to the animal, and no electricity is needed. Chewy calls them a good choice for older cats, for whom warmth eases aching joints. You can put such a bed anywhere: on the sofa, in a carrier, on a windowsill.
- Electrically heated. These run from the mains at low power and have a thermostat. PetSmart gives clear safety rules: never use human heating pads or electric blankets for animals, because they can get too hot and cause burns. Run the cable along a wall or behind furniture, and unplug the product if your pet chews cables. Chewy adds that a kitten or an older cat should be able to leave the bed easily if it gets too hot.
For most pets in a heated home, an ordinary insulated bed or a covered house is enough. Heating makes sense in cold rooms and for older animals.
Step 5. Age and location
For older dogs with sore joints, Chewy advises beds made of dense orthopaedic foam and warns that thin shredded filling suits them less well. For older cats, PetSmart recommends a low entrance, supportive foam and gentle warmth.
Choose a spot away from draughts by doors and from vents. PetSmart suggests giving your cat a choice: put one bed where the family gathers and another in a quiet, secluded corner. Cats sleep 12 to 16 hours a day, so two beds in the house are not a luxury.
When it is time to replace the bed
According to Chewy and PetSmart, a bed should be replaced if the filling has compacted and no longer springs back, a dip has formed in the middle, the seams are coming apart, or the smell and stains do not come out in the wash.
6 popular beds from AliExpress
We chose the models with the most sales and at least 98% positive reviews. Prices are as of 1 November for the cheapest option: most beds come in several sizes and colours, and larger sizes cost more.
Round doughnut bed, 40 to 90 cm
A classic doughnut in soft plush, available in six sizes from 40 to 90 cm. It suits both cats and dogs that sleep curled up: the high rim works as a pillow and a bolster at the same time. The wide size range lets you find a bed for a kitten or a medium-sized dog, just check against the measurements from step one.
Price on 1 November: £6.59
Sold: 2467+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
Insulated house for autumn and winter
A covered house that the seller describes as insulated, for autumn and winter. It is a good option for cats that like to hide and for small dogs. The enclosed shape traps body heat, so such a house is noticeably cosier in a cool room.
Price on 1 November: £6.19
Sold: 2718+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
Winter semi-enclosed nest bed
A square semi-enclosed nest with a partly covered top. It is a compromise between an open bed and a house: the pet feels protected but can still see what is going on around it. According to the seller, the bed is washable and light enough to carry from place to place.
Price on 1 November: £6.59
Sold: 1937+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
3D bed with a removable faux fur cover
A bed with soft padding and a removable, washable faux fur cover. A removable cover is exactly what the guides say to look for first, and this one has it. The seller states that the model suits dogs, so consider it mainly for small and medium-sized ones.
Price on 1 November: £5.99
Sold: 1058+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
Tent-style cat house
A soft house shaped like a tent or cave for deep sleep. Shy cats and those who hide under blankets love this shape. Before ordering, check the size of the entrance and the inner dimensions, especially if you have a large cat.
Price on 1 November: £4.78
Sold: 1230+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
Fluffy pet blanket mat
The best-selling product on this list and the cheapest. It is not a full bed but a soft, warm blanket that you can spread in your pet’s favourite spot, in a carrier, on the sofa or over an existing bed. It is handy if your cat stubbornly ignores every house but sleeps on one particular armchair: the blanket protects the upholstery from hair.
Price on 1 November: £1.86
Sold: 4317+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
In short: how to get it right
- Measure your pet and check the seller’s size chart, and if in doubt choose the larger size for a dog.
- Choose the shape by sleeping position: a doughnut for curled-up sleepers, a mattress for those who stretch out, a house for those who hide.
- Look for a removable, washable cover or a bed you can wash whole.
- For older animals choose firm support and a low entrance.
- Do not use human heating pads, only products made for animals.
