The Best Calming Beds for Dogs

Many dogs suffer from anxiety in one form or another. The most common is separation anxiety, which comes on when they are left home alone or when you shower with the door closed. One natural way to help ease their anxiety is by providing them with a comfy bed. Some of them are made specifically to provide a soft and enclosed space that your pup can curl up in, which helps them feel secure and safe.

What to Look For

To help you provide comfort for your furry friend, we reviewed some of the best calming beds for dogs. The two areas we focused on were comfort and quality, and our top pick, Furhaven’s calming plush bed, performs well in both. It’s available in various sizes and shapes, so it can perfectly cradle dogs from any breed. Speaking of size, OQQ has created a calming donut bed specifically designed for larger breeds. It’s durable and machine-washable, too. Read on to discover more of our favorite calming bed picks for dogs.

Furhaven Pet Plush Calming Donut Bed

A calming plush bed

This plush bed basically cradles your dog, so they can feel safe and secure while they snooze.
Best Overall

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If your dog needs a safe haven to curl up in after a stressful day, check out this awesome plush donut from Furhaven. Available in a wide range of styles, sizes, and shapes, this line of calming beds is warm, durable, and, most importantly, snuggly. The faux-fur has a naturally calming effect that’s soft and comforting. Better yet, the cover is removable and can be tossed into a washing machine for a fast and convenient wash cycle. You can even add and remove the stuffing to achieve the perfect amount of fluff. With Furhaven, comfort is the top priority.

Pros:

  • We love the variety of sizes and styles. This is especially useful if you own more than one breed of dog.
  • Unlike beds from some competing brands, the cover on this one is easily removable and doesn’t snare on the pillow.
  • The filling is made entirely out of recycled materials.

Cons:

  • Older dogs may need something firmer, so make sure to choose an orthopedic option for your senior pets.

Best Friends By Sheri The Original Calming Donut

Pretty in pink

Your pup will love this fluffy bed, and you'll love how adorable it is.
Best Pink Bed

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When you bring home your rescue dog or puppy, you’ll want an adorable bed ready and waiting for her. That’s where this donut bed from Best Friends By Sheri comes in. The pink color is beyond cute, and the faux fur is luxuriously fluffy. Round walls and a low, soft center make it ideal for her to cuddle up in, as well. As a bonus, the bottom is resistant to dirt and water, while the cover comes off for easy cleaning. Overall, this is an excellent choice.

Pros:

  • This bed is a durable option for teething puppies. It can withstand plenty of chews and scratches.
  • It’s supportive and provides a comfy spot for your pup to rest its head.
  • Even after multiple washes, it should remain shed-free.

Cons:

  • The fur mats up easily, so you’ll need to brush it out occasionally.

OQQ Dog Beds Calming Donut Cuddler

Big dogs need comfort too

For owners of plus-sized dogs, this calming bed is the perfect pick.
Best For Large Dogs

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Bigger dogs require bigger accommodations. This donut-shaped cuddler from OQQ is available in Large, X-Large, XX-Large, and XXX-Large, so even dogs as big as 100 pounds can still find their creature comforts. It’s an effective calming bed, too, since the plushy design warms up nicely, and the donut shape gives them a bit of a hug.  These quality beds can also be placed in the washing machine for convenient cleanings. No zippers are required.

Pros:

  • For convenience’s sake, we appreciate that it can be washed all-in-one. However, ensure that the zippers are closed and that your washing machine is dialed to a gentler setting.
  • This bed is a great choice if you own two dogs that enjoy cuddling with each other. The XXL should perfectly fit two medium-sized dogs.

Cons:

  • Some dog owners may prefer a cover they can wash separately.

Mixjoy Orthopedic Donut Cuddler Dog Bed

Stylish and functional

This plush bed gives your pup the perfect place to curl up and get comfy.
Best Non-Slip

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One way to help calm your pup is to provide them with a bed that they can curl up in, such as this one from Mixjoy. Its soft walls and plush center are supportive and keep your pooch feeling snuggly and safe. The fluffy faux-fur surface is self-warming for added comfort. And if it gets dirty or your dog has an accident, you can even throw it into the washer, which means you can get it clean and back down for your pup quickly and easily. Best of all, however, is the non-slip bottom, which ensures your pooch can dive into bed without having to worry about sliding across the living room.

Pros:

  • The Mixjoy seems to be fairly durable, so if your dog treats their bed as a chew toy, they may find this one a bit more challenging to rip apart.
  • Older dogs tend to find this bed more comfortable for their aging joints.

Cons:

  • The filling inside easily bunches up, so you need to fluff it often.

Bedsure Small Calming Bed

Rock-a-bye, puppy

These adorable little beds are ideal for smaller pets.
Best For Puppies

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For a puppy, the world is a new place and can be pretty overwhelming. That’s why we recommend this mini calming bed from Bedsure, which is the perfect size for puppies. The donut shape is extra-soft and fluffy, so little dogs can feel extra secure. When they curl up in the plushy center, the effect is somewhat like a hug. It also doesn’t hurt that the price is a bargain, so new dog owners can fit it into their tight budgets.

Pros:

  • Dogs seem to love burrowing into this donut bed thanks to its deceptively high ring.
  • While this bed is quite durable, it also stays soft after even several spills and washes.

Cons:

  • This bed gets warm fast, so while it may be perfect for harsh cold weather, it might not be optimal for hot, humid weather.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do dogs like donut-style beds and caves?

Donut-style beds and cuddle caves make dogs feel like they’re inside of a den. Dens often help dogs feel super safe and more secure than an open bed can. It’s similar to the reason why many dogs like to lie in their crate or hide under beds or tables when they get scared. They’re surrounded and can see what’s going on around them, which is how they would hide in caves naturally.

Should I get a calming bed even if my dog isn’t anxious?

Almost any dog can benefit from a calming bed because no matter how secure and calm your dog is naturally, there will be times that they need a bit of comfort. For example, if you have guests over, your dog may want to hide to get away from them. If you aren’t home, they may need somewhere to lay down and relax while they wait for you to get home, as well.

About the Author

Chelsea is a bonafide expert in many things, and pet care is high on the list. She's grown up with dogs and is passionate about raising well-trained, friendly, and happy dogs using safe and effective products. When she's not writing up top notch recommendations for pet owners, you can often find her enjoying the great outdoors and hiking with her three canines in tow.

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