Buying guides
Best Personalized Dog Beds: What Actually Matters
The best personalized dog bed is a good bed first and a name second. Check that it is big enough for your dog to stretch out, supportive enough for your dog's age and has a cover you can wash weekly, then choose how the monogram or name is applied. Browse our personalized dog beds with those three checks in mind.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 14, 20264 min read2 sources
What personalization adds, and what it does not
A name or monogram is decoration. It makes a bed feel like your dog's and it makes a good gift, but it does nothing for comfort, support or durability. Those come from the size, the filling and the cover, so judge the bed on them and treat the lettering as the last step.
Because a personalized bed is often made to order, it can be harder to send back if the size is wrong. That is a reason to be a little more careful here than with a standard bed: measure first, read the maker's size guidance, and check the return policy for personalized items before you pay.
Size: room to stretch out
The American Kennel Club advises a bed large enough that a dog has more than enough space to stretch out and snooze. To check, measure your dog lying fully stretched, from nose to the base of the tail, and compare it with the bed's inside dimensions rather than its outer edge. Dogs that curl up tightly can use a smaller bed; dogs that sprawl need the larger size.
Large breeds and older dogs need more room, and so do dogs that sleep a lot. The AKC notes that dogs sleep between 12 and 18 hours a day depending on age, and that older dogs and larger breeds need more sleep than younger, smaller ones. If your dog is between sizes, choose the bigger one. Our dog beds range shows the common shapes if you want to compare them before personalizing.
Support for your dog's age and joints
Aging dogs may develop arthritis, hip dysplasia and other joint problems, and the AKC says a supportive bed can cushion the body. Orthopedic beds use egg-crate or memory foam or special interlocking fill, and they suit dogs of all ages, including as preventive care for younger dogs. A thin, flat cushion with a name stitched on it is not a substitute.
If your dog is slow to get up, reluctant to jump or stiff after rest, see your vet rather than treating it with a bed, because those can be signs of pain that needs an exam. For comparing foam types and thickness, see our orthopedic dog beds collection and our general dog bed buying guide.
A cover you can wash, and a name that survives it
The AKC recommends a removable cover you can toss in the wash weekly, and says washability matters most for senior dogs with incontinence and puppies still learning to potty train. For orthopedic beds, a waterproof removable cover is ideal. A separate cover is also quicker to launder than a whole thick cushion.
Embroidered names usually hold up to repeated washing better than printed or iron-on lettering, but ask the maker and follow the care label. The AKC says air drying is usually best because some fillings clump in the dryer, and fiber-filled beds must be fully dry because dampness encourages mold and mildew. Our washable dog beds and dog bed covers pages are worth a look if washing is your main concern.
Where to put the bed
Dogs are den animals, so the AKC suggests putting the bed in a calm spot away from household activity. For a stressed dog, the bed can go inside the crate as a hideaway. Several beds around the house can also help keep a dog off the furniture.
Placement is the one choice that matters as much as the bed itself. A personalized bed in a busy hallway will be used less than a plain one in a quiet corner, so choose the spot first, measure it, and then pick the size and shape that fit.
Chewers, heaters and other cautions
Personalization can add risk for a dog that chews. Avoid hard add-ons such as patches with plastic backing, buttons or beads, and choose stitched or flat lettering instead. If your dog tears or swallows bedding, remove the bed and call your vet, since swallowed fabric or stuffing can cause a blockage.
The AKC also urges caution with electric warming beds, especially for a dog known to chew. Wash beds regularly to cut down on parasites; the AKC notes one study found fleas in 14 percent of pets' sleeping places, even outside peak season. When you are ready, view our personalized dog beds and compare sizes against your dog's measurements. This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
What size personalized dog bed should I buy?
Measure your dog lying fully stretched, from nose to base of tail, and pick a bed whose inside dimensions leave room to spare. If your dog is between sizes, choose the larger one.
Can a personalized dog bed be returned?
Often not, because it is made to order. Check the maker's policy on personalized items before you pay, and measure your dog carefully, since the wrong size is the most common reason to want a return.
Does a monogram change how a dog bed washes?
It can. Stitched names generally hold up better than printed or iron-on lettering. Follow the care label, and ask the maker whether the lettering is designed for repeated machine washing.
How often should I wash a dog bed cover?
The AKC recommends a removable cover you can wash weekly. How often you really need to depends on how much your dog sleeps in it, coat type, outdoor activity and any allergies at home.
Is a personalized bed good for a senior dog?
Only if the bed underneath is supportive and washable. Look for foam or interlocking fill and a waterproof removable cover, and see your vet if your dog seems stiff or sore.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
