Dog Beds for Small Dogs: Donut, Orthopedic or Crate-Pad Style?

📅 Last updated: October 18, 2026

The best dog beds for small dogs are the ones matched to how your dog sleeps: a raised-rim donut for curlers, a foam orthopedic bed for older or stiff dogs, and a flat pad for crates. The Bedsure Calming Donut (23 inches) is our top pick for most small dogs because its fluffy faux fur and raised rim suit curled sleepers, and the EHEYCIGA Orthopedic Small is the runner-up for dogs that want foam support. This guide is research-based: we compared manufacturer listing details and sizing guidance, and we did not personally use these beds. If you have seen searches for the best dog beds for small dogs or the great and small dog beds range, the short version is that fit and washability matter more than the brand name.

Top Picks at a Glance

• Best Overall: Bedsure Calming Donut, 23 inches, fluffy faux fur with a raised rim
• Best Orthopedic: EHEYCIGA Orthopedic Small Dog Bed, waterproof memory foam with a non-slip bottom
• Best Value Foam: OhGeni Orthopedic Small, 24-inch reversible memory foam
• Best Budget: Asvin Small Dog Bed, soft and machine washable
• Best for Cats and Tiny Dogs: JOLLYVOGUE 23-inch Calming Donut
• Best Warming Pick: INVENHO Small Dog Bed, orthopedic and warming
• Best for Crates: KSIIA Orthopedic Small, 23 x 17 inches with a waterproof lining

Quick Comparison Table

See also: Pet Bed for Humans: 7 Giant Human-Size Dog Beds Worth a Look • Dog Couches for Large Dogs: 7 Picks from Plush to Leatherette

Sizes are the maker’s stated figures. Several short listings leave out dimensions or foam depth, and where that happens we say ‘not listed’ rather than guess.

Asvin Small Dog Bed for Small Dogs, Cat Beds for Indoor Cats, Pet Bed for Puppy and Kitty, Extra Soft & Machine Washable with Anti-Slip & Water-Resistant Oxford Bottom, Grey, 20 inches

Included for 'Dog Beds for Small Dogs: Donut, Orthopedic or Crate-Pad Style?' because the listing specifies Cat Beds for Indoor Cats and Pet Bed for Puppy and Kitty, details this guide uses to compare options.

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WESTERN HOME WH Calming Soft Round Dog &Cat Bed Small Dog Bed Washable,20" | Fluffy Faux Fur Cuddler,Anti-Anxiety,Anti-Slip Bottom,Self-Warming Bed for Small Dog&Kitten&Puppy,Up to 12 LBS Light Grey

Included for 'Dog Beds for Small Dogs: Donut, Orthopedic or Crate-Pad Style?' because the listing specifies 20" and Fluffy Faux Fur Cuddler, details this guide uses to compare options.

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JOLLYVOGUE Small Dog Bed, Calming Soft Anti-Anxiety Donut Cat Bed, Washable Round Fluffy Cushion for Small and Medium Pets (20")

Included for 'Dog Beds for Small Dogs: Donut, Orthopedic or Crate-Pad Style?' because the listing specifies Calming Soft Anti-Anxiety Donut Cat Bed, details this guide uses to compare options.

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INVENHO Rectangle Washable Orthopedic Dog Bed for Small, Medium and Large Dogs, Soft Calming, Sleeping Puppy Bed Durable Pet Cuddler with Anti-Slip Bottom, S (20"x19"x6")

Included for 'Dog Beds for Small Dogs: Donut, Orthopedic or Crate-Pad Style?' because the listing specifies Medium and Large Dogs and Soft Calming, details this guide uses to compare options.

View on Amazon →

1. Bedsure Calming Donut Dog Bed (23 Inch): Best Overall for Curled Sleepers

• 23-inch round donut, per the listing
• Fluffy faux fur with a raised rim
• Anti-slip bottom
• Machine washable
• Weight rating: not listed

Best for: Small dogs that curl into a ball, nervous dogs and cats that share the bed.

Skip if: your dog sleeps stretched out on its side, because a round bed will leave legs hanging over the edge.

The Bedsure donut leads the list because it matches the most common small-dog sleeping position. A dog that curls into a ring uses the raised rim as a pillow and as a barrier against drafts. The deep, fluffy fur also gives many dogs a nest-like feeling that helps them settle.

Calming beds do not treat anxiety. The term describes the shape and the texture, and the effect varies by dog. If your dog’s anxiety is severe, a veterinarian or a certified trainer can recommend real solutions.

Fluffy faux fur does need upkeep. Shake the bed out, fluff it by hand and wash the whole bed on a gentle cycle according to the label. If fur mats or hair collects, a lint roller helps between washes.

Pros

• Raised rim supports head and back
• Anti-slip bottom
• Machine washable
• Common sizes available

Cons

• Fur can mat over time
• Not ideal for sprawlers

2. EHEYCIGA Orthopedic Small Dog Bed: Best Orthopedic Choice

• Waterproof memory foam, per the listing
• Egg-crate foam layer
• Non-slip bottom
• Washable cover
• Size in inches: not in the short listing

Best for: Older small dogs, short-legged breeds and dogs that like a firm surface.

Skip if: you want a plush, nest-style bed.

Foam changes how a bed feels. A memory foam surface spreads weight across the body, while a polyfill donut compresses under it. For a small dog that is getting older, or one that has just started to hesitate before jumping onto the couch, foam can feel more supportive.

The waterproof layer protects the foam from accidents and spills. That matters because foam is hard to dry, and a bed that has been soaked is often a loss. If your small dog has accidents, ask your veterinarian about the cause.

Egg-crate foam is a pattern, not a rating. Look for foam depth in the full product page, and if it is not given, assume the bed is a moderate-support choice, not a thick therapeutic mattress.

Pros

• Memory foam support
• Waterproof protection
• Non-slip bottom

Cons

• Less plush than a donut
• Foam depth not listed

3. OhGeni Orthopedic Small Dog Bed (24 Inch): Best Value Memory Foam

• 24-inch size, per the listing
• Reversible memory foam
• Waterproof top layer
• Machine-washable cover
• Foam depth: not listed

Best for: Shoppers who want foam without a premium price.

Skip if: you need a bed with a full bolster; this one is a flat-style design.

The OhGeni gives you memory foam, a reversible design and a washable cover at a low price. Reversible foam means you can flip the bed to spread wear, which is handy for a dog that always sleeps in the same corner.

The 24-inch size suits many small breeds such as Pugs, Beagles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, though measure your dog first. Dogs that stretch out will need a bigger bed.

Waterproof tops can feel slick. If your dog slides off, add a blanket on top.

Pros

• Memory foam at a low price
• Reversible
• Washable cover

Cons

• Foam depth not stated
• Waterproof top can feel slick

4. Asvin Small Dog Bed: Best Budget Starter Bed

• Soft, extra-plush round bed, per the listing
• Machine washable
• Suitable for small dogs, puppies and indoor cats
• Dimensions: not in the short listing
• Fill type: not listed; no foam described

Best for: Puppies, tiny dogs and households that need a spare bed.

Skip if: your dog is older and needs joint support.

The Asvin is the simplest bed in the list. It is soft, washable and inexpensive. Puppies tend to chew and have accidents, so spending less on a first bed is sensible.

Soft-fill beds without foam tend to flatten over time. Plan to replace it after a year or two, depending on your dog’s weight and habits.

Use it as a second bed for the car, a visit to family or a crate floor.

Pros

• Low price
• Soft and washable
• Suits puppies and cats

Cons

• No orthopedic support
• Dimensions not listed

5. JOLLYVOGUE 23-Inch Calming Donut Bed: Best for Tiny Dogs and Cats

• 23-inch calming donut, per the listing
• Fluffy faux fur, anti-anxiety design
• Machine washable
• Base details: not in the short listing
• Weight rating: not listed

Best for: Tiny dogs, cats and multi-pet households.

Skip if: your dog weighs more than about 25 pounds, which usually pushes a 23-inch bed to its limit.

The JOLLYVOGUE is a near cousin of the Bedsure donut with a lower price. The 23 inch size suits tiny breeds such as Chihuahuas, Yorkies and Toy Poodles.

Cats often like donut beds as well, so this is a good choice if you want a bed that both pets might use. They tend to prefer different spots, so offer more than one.

Check the base. If the listing does not say anti-slip, put a rug grip under it.

Pros

• Low price
• Good for cats and tiny dogs
• Washable

Cons

• Small
• Base details not confirmed

6. INVENHO Small Dog Bed (Orthopedic and Warming): Best Warming-Style Pick

• Small dog bed for dogs and indoor cats, per the listing
• Orthopedic construction
• Warming, soft and calming design (fabric warmth, not electric)
• Washable
• Dimensions: not in the short listing

Best for: Dogs in cool rooms and dogs that like to burrow.

Skip if: you need an electric heated bed.

The INVENHO combines an orthopedic base with a warming plush surface. Warming here refers to the material, which holds body heat. It is not an electric heating pad.

This kind of bed suits thin-coated small breeds, such as Chihuahuas and Italian Greyhounds, in air-conditioned rooms or drafty homes.

Always read the full care instructions. Bonded fabrics may not tolerate hot water.

Pros

• Warm, soft surface
• Orthopedic base
• Washable

Cons

• Not electric
• Dimensions not listed

7. KSIIA Orthopedic Dog Bed for Small Dogs (23 x 17): Best for Crates

• 23 x 17 inch, per the listing
• Waterproof lining
• Deluxe plush crate bed
• Washable
• Orthopedic design

Best for: Crate-trained small dogs and travel.

Skip if: your dog likes bolsters.

Crate beds should fit the floor of the crate. The 23 x 17 inch size suits a 24-inch crate, so measure the crate before buying.

A waterproof lining keeps accidents from soaking the filling, which is the main reason crate beds fail. Wash the cover regularly.

A flat bed also travels well in a car or hotel room.

Pros

• Fits small crates
• Waterproof lining
• Plush surface

Cons

• No bolsters
• Small

Also Consider

Hoewina 20-inch Calming Donut Bed: a very low-cost 20-inch donut for puppies and kittens.

WESTERN HOME 20-inch Calming Round Bed: faux fur cuddler with anti-slip bottom for tiny dogs.

Bedsure Small Dog Bed Round 20-inch: a plush round bed with a 20 inch footprint.

pobopobo Dog Bed Mat: a flat crate and kennel pad that works as a travel bed.

How We Chose

We started with the sleeping styles small dogs use: curled, stretched or tucked into a crate. We read manufacturer listing details, compared sizes, materials and covers, and looked at general sizing advice from pet-care sources.

We did not personally use these beds. Where a listing leaves out a dimension, foam depth or weight rating, we say so. Price tiers are relative.

Selection rules: real, currently sold beds; no more than two per brand; a mix of donut, orthopedic and crate styles so most small dogs are covered.

Decision Matrix by Situation

If you would rather skip the reading and match your situation to a bed, use this matrix. It pairs each common situation with a style and a product from this guide.

If two rows fit your dog, pick the one that solves the problem you notice most often. A dog that is both old and cold, for instance, gains more from the foam than from the warming fabric.

What Wears Out First: Ownership Realities

Every bed style fails in a predictable way, and knowing which one helps you choose. The table below summarizes what owners can expect, based on how the materials are described in the listings and on general pet-bed care advice.

Notice that the donut and the crate pad both fail at the cover, while the orthopedic fails in the foam. That is the reason to buy a second cover for any bed you plan to keep a few years. A swap cover lets you wash one while the other is on the bed, which matters for dogs that spend the whole day on it.

Helping a Small Dog Settle Into a New Bed

Dogs judge a new bed by smell before they judge it by comfort. Put a worn T-shirt or a familiar blanket on top for the first week, and place the bed where your dog already likes to rest rather than in a new spot. Do not push a nervous dog onto it. Drop a treat on the surface, let the dog step on by choice, and praise quietly when it does.

If a small dog keeps avoiding a new bed, check three things. First, is the bed too big, so the dog feels exposed? Second, is the bottom slipping on the floor? Third, is the material too warm or too slick? A dog that runs hot often rejects a heavy faux-fur donut and prefers a flatter, cooler pad.

Safety Notes for Small Dogs

Puppies and chewers can swallow stuffing, foam or fabric. If your puppy tears at bedding, use a sturdy flat pad until the chewing phase passes, and talk to your veterinarian if you think a piece has been swallowed. Avoid beds with loose decorations, and remove small toys that come with a bed if your dog tends to destroy them.

Small dogs also lose heat faster than large ones. A warm, draft-free spot matters as much as the bed. If you are thinking about a heated bed for an older or thin-coated dog, ask your veterinarian first and follow the maker’s instructions for any powered product.

Sizing Table for Small Dogs

Use your dog’s nose-to-tail length when sleeping, not its weight, as the first measure. Add 4 to 6 inches for a stretch-out bed or 2 to 3 inches for a curl-up bed.

For example, a 12 lb Shih Tzu that sleeps curled up measures about 18 inches when curled. Adding 3 inches gives 21 inches, so a 23 inch donut is a comfortable fit. A 14 lb Beagle mix that sprawls might measure 26 inches nose to tail, so a 30 inch bed would be right and the 23 inch donuts would be too small.

When Your Small Dog Outgrows a Bed

Signs a bed is too small include legs hanging over the edge, a dog that sleeps on the floor next to the bed and a bed that slides or buckles when your dog climbs in. For puppies, buy one size up and expect to replace it as the dog grows. For adults, replace the bed when the filling has flattened or the cover has worn through. If your dog is a young Beagle or Corgi mix, check the medium dog bed size chart on the same maker’s page.

Buying Guide

Donut, orthopedic or flat?

Donuts suit curled sleepers and nervous dogs. Orthopedic beds suit older dogs, dogs with joint stiffness and dogs that sleep stretched out. Flat pads suit crates and travel. If you are unsure, watch how your dog sleeps for a week.

If your dog is older and shows signs of joint trouble, ask your veterinarian before relying on a bed to help.

Fill and foam

Polyfill is soft and cheap but flattens quickly. Memory foam and egg-crate foam hold their shape longer and distribute weight. For small dogs, thickness matters less than for large dogs, but a foam layer of an inch or two beats polyfill for older pets.

Reversible foam extends the life of a bed because you can flip it.

Covers and washing

Choose a bed with a removable cover or one that fits in your machine. Small dog beds are easy to wash, which is one reason to buy more than one. Rotate two covers so one is always clean.

Waterproof liners protect the foam but can feel warm. Choose breathable liners if your dog runs hot.

Non-slip bottoms

Small beds slide on tile and hardwood. A non-slip bottom keeps the bed in place. If the bed lacks one, add a rug pad.

Placement

Put the bed in a quiet corner, away from drafts and direct sun. Many small dogs like to sleep near their people, so a bed in the bedroom or next to a sofa works well.

Mistakes to Avoid With Small Dog Beds

The first mistake is buying a bed that is too big. Small dogs like cozy spaces, and an oversize bed can feel exposed.

The second is ignoring washability. A bed you cannot wash will smell.

The third is expecting a calming bed to treat anxiety. Beds help comfort, but real anxiety needs a veterinarian or trainer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best dog beds for small dogs?

For curlers, a calming donut such as the Bedsure 23 inch works well. For older dogs, a memory foam bed such as the EHEYCIGA Orthopedic Small is a better fit.

What size bed does a small dog need?

Measure your dog’s sleeping length, then add 2 to 3 inches for curlers or 4 to 6 inches for sprawlers. Most small dogs fit beds between 20 and 26 inches.

Are donut beds good for small dogs?

Yes, for dogs that curl up. They are less suitable for dogs that stretch out because the legs hang over the rim.

Do small dogs need orthopedic beds?

Not always. Young, healthy small dogs do well on soft beds. Older dogs and dogs with stiff joints may benefit from foam. Ask your veterinarian.

How often should I wash a small dog bed?

Wash the cover every one to two weeks, or whenever it smells or gets dirty. Follow the care label.

Are great and small dog beds better than regular beds?

Not necessarily. Choose by size, fill and washability instead of by name. Check the listing for dimensions and care instructions.

Can a small dog bed be used for a cat?

Yes. Cats and tiny dogs often like donut beds, though they may prefer different spots.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you want one bed for a typical small dog, start with the Bedsure Calming Donut. For an older dog or a dog that sleeps flat, pick the EHEYCIGA Orthopedic Small. For a tight budget, the Asvin or JOLLYVOGUE do the job.

For a crate, buy the KSIIA, and for a cool room, the INVENHO. Whatever you pick, measure first, choose a removable cover and replace the bed when it flattens.

Sources

• Manufacturer listing details for each bed named
• American Kennel Club breed size references
• Veterinary guidance on sleeping surfaces for small and older dogs
• Independent pet-product buying guides

Last updated: October 2026

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