Best Dog Beds for Chewers

No dog bed is guaranteed to survive a determined chewer. K9 Ballistics, one of the makers below, says on its warranty page that “a determined persistent chewer can eventually get through almost anything.” What you can do is choose a bed built to give a dog less to grab, such as a raised cot with a metal frame and a tough woven sling, then read the warranty terms and supervise.

This guide covers three options, from a heavy-duty cot to a padded crate bed. It also explains why dogs chew their beds and what to do if a dog swallows fabric or stuffing.

What to look for in a bed for a chewer

The following is general practical guidance, not a guarantee of durability. A bed with fewer soft parts, exposed seams and loose edges gives a dog less to pull at. That is why many chewer-focused beds are raised cots: a frame holds a taut sling, so there is no stuffing inside to pull out.

• Frame and edges: Look for a frame that covers the sling edges and corners, since those are the first places a dog can grab.
• Fabric: Dense woven fabrics such as ripstop polyester or vinyl are common choices. The makers’ own wording is the only claim we can point to, so treat fabric names as a description, not a promise.
• Padding: Padding, foam and fiberfill are what a dog can swallow if it breaks through. If your dog tears into things, a no-fill sling is the more cautious choice.
• Warranty terms: A chew warranty can be useful, but the conditions matter. Check what is covered, how many times, and where you must buy the bed.
• Size and fit: Measure your dog and, for crate use, the inside of the crate. Our guide to choosing a dog bed explains how to size a bed, and the crate size guide helps with crate dimensions.

Our Top Picks

The beds below are ordered by how well they fit the “chewer” use case, starting with the beds that carry a maker’s chew warranty. We use only the specs the manufacturers and their listings provide.

For large chewers and diggers: Kuranda Chewproof Elevated Dog Bed (aluminum frame, Heavy Duty Vinyl, 44 x 27 in)

This is a raised cot with an aluminum frame and a vinyl sling, so it has no stuffing and no padding to pull out. It suits large dogs that chew or dig, and it can be used indoors or in a kennel or outdoor area. The name includes “Chewproof,” but treat that as a product name, not a guarantee. The maker’s warranty has specific limits, listed below.

Key specs (per the manufacturer and its listing):

• Aluminum frame, Heavy Duty Vinyl sling, 44 inches long, 27 inches wide and 8 inches high.
• Item weight is 10 lb, and the listed weight limit is 250 lb.
• Care: wipe with soap and water or hose it off.
• Made in the USA, per the maker. Replacement fabrics and hardware are sold by Kuranda.
• Warranty: the 1 Year Chew Proof Warranty covers the frame and the Classic Canvas and Heavy Duty Vinyl fabrics for 1 year from purchase, including damage from digging or scratching.

Consider: The vinyl sling is firm and has no padding, and the Breathable Mesh fabric, bed pads and accessories are not covered by the chew warranty. Cosmetic damage is not covered either, each part is replaced once, and the maker asks for photos. If you buy through a third-party marketplace, the maker says to make warranty claims through the place you bought it, so check who the seller is first.

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For crate chewers that want some softness: K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored Padded Crate Bed (35 x 22 in, for 36 in wire crates)

This crate bed puts a padded center on an aluminum frame and ripstop sling. It suits a medium dog that wants a little softness but has destroyed ordinary crate pads. You can use it flat on the crate floor or add the included legs. The product name includes “Chew Proof,” but the maker’s own page says a persistent chewer can get through almost anything. If your dog is a senior who needs more supportive bedding, see our guide to orthopedic dog beds for senior dogs and ask your veterinarian.

Key specs (per the manufacturer and its listing):

• Aluminum frame with a 1200D ripstop ballistic sling and rubber corner pads.
• Padded center of 1.5 inches of recycled polyester fiberfill.
• Fits a 36 inch wire crate at 35 x 22 inches. To use it flat, remove the crate tray and slide the bed in diagonally.
• Legs are included if you prefer it raised.
• Warranty: the 1 Year Chew Proof Warranty offers a one-time replacement of the cover or bed, depending on the product, or store credit. There are no refunds, and the replacement has no separate warranty.

Consider: The fiberfill center is stuffing, so if a dog does get through the cover, it could swallow it. Supervise any dog with a history of tearing or swallowing things, as the maker advises, and see the safety section below. With the legs attached, headroom in the crate is slightly lower. Crate makers often round sizes up, so measure the inside of your crate before ordering. On Amazon, the maker covers an order only if the seller shown is K9 Ballistics, and other resellers are not covered.

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For diggers and nesters that don’t target frames: Coolaroo Original Elevated Dog Bed (Large, steel frame)

This is a budget-style raised cot with a steel frame and a breathable HDPE fabric. It is not sold as chew-resistant and has no chew warranty. It makes sense for a dog that digs, nests or has wrecked stuffed beds but does not go after frame edges, and for dogs that run warm or spend time outdoors.

Key specs (per the listing from Gale Pacific USA):

• Steel frame with breathable HDPE fabric.
• 51 inches long, 31.5 inches wide and 8 inches high.
• Item weight is 6 lb, and the listed maximum dog weight is 100 lb.
• Indoor or outdoor use. Hose it off or wipe it clean.

Consider: The fabric edge and frame corners are reachable, and a determined chewer can damage them. Supervise at first, and retire it if you see fraying or loose pieces.

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Comparison table

Why dogs chew their beds

Chewing is normal for both puppies and adult dogs, according to the ASPCA. For puppies it helps with teething discomfort, and for adults it keeps jaws strong and teeth clean. Chewing can also ease boredom and mild anxiety or frustration. The ASPCA also lists too little physical exercise or mental stimulation as a cause.

Before you assume it is simple boredom, the ASPCA suggests ruling a few things out. If a dog chews mostly or most intensely when left alone, especially with whining, barking, pacing, restlessness or house soiling, separation anxiety may be involved. Sucking or chewing on fabric may relate to early weaning, and if it is persistent and hard to redirect, it can become compulsive. In that case, the ASPCA suggests seeking help from a certified applied animal behaviorist, a veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB) or a certified trainer (CPDT). Hunger from a reduced-calorie diet is another possibility, so talk to your veterinarian if the chewing is new, intense or hard to interrupt.

For teething puppies, the ASPCA says heavier chewing usually fades by about 6 months of age. Some people offer ice cubes, frozen toys or frozen wet washcloths during this stage. The ASPCA also lists some practical steps that apply to bedding:

• Put away valuables, and give plenty of chew toys, swapping them every few days.
• Offer food-stuffed toys at the times your dog usually chews.
• Supervise while the dog is awake. When you cannot, use a confined area such as a crate or small gated room for up to a maximum of 6 hours, and remove items the dog should not chew.
• Give exercise and mental stimulation, and play well before leaving the dog alone.
• Do not hand over old household items such as worn-out shoes or discarded cushions to chew, because it confuses the dog about what is allowed.

The ASPCA also says taste-deterrent sprays alone are not enough, and that they should be used with the steps above.

Safety: what to do if a dog swallows stuffing or fabric

A chewer that gets through a cover can swallow pieces of fabric or filling. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that dogs often swallow items such as paper, tissues, clothing, sticks and bones. Some objects pass through the intestines normally and some do not. If an object causes a blockage, surgery is the only way to fix it, and a blockage can be life-threatening.

VCA lists these signs: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or sensitivity, loss of appetite, straining to defecate or passing little stool, lethargy, and behavior changes such as biting or growling when the belly is touched or the dog is picked up. VCA also says time matters, because a blockage can cut off blood supply to tissue, and if that lasts more than a few hours, the tissue can die. Fabric and stuffing are foreign objects too, so if you suspect a dog has swallowed any, call your veterinarian right away rather than waiting to see what happens.

As a practical habit, check the bed often for loose threads, holes and exposed padding, and retire it once it is damaged. If the cover is removable, wash it according to the maker’s care instructions, and our guide on how to clean a dog bed covers the basics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a truly chew proof dog bed?

No bed can be guaranteed against a determined chewer. K9 Ballistics itself says a persistent chewer can eventually get through almost anything. Raised cots with metal frames and tough woven fabric give a dog less to grab, but supervision still matters.

Do chew warranties cover everything?

No, and the terms differ by maker. Kuranda’s warranty covers the frame and its Classic Canvas and Heavy Duty Vinyl fabrics for 1 year, but not Breathable Mesh, pads, accessories or cosmetic damage. K9 Ballistics offers a one-time replacement or store credit, with no refunds, and covers Amazon orders only when the seller shown is K9 Ballistics. Read the current terms before you buy.

Should a chewer have a bed in the crate?

It depends on the dog. The ASPCA advises removing items the dog should not chew from a confinement area, so a dog that destroys soft bedding may do better with a no-fill cot made for crates or with no bed while you build the habit. Measure the inside of the crate first, and ask your veterinarian or a trainer if you are unsure.

Will a dog grow out of chewing its bed?

Puppy chewing linked to teething usually eases by about 6 months, according to the ASPCA. Adult dogs may keep chewing for reasons such as boredom or lack of exercise. If it is persistent or comes with signs of anxiety, talk to your veterinarian or a qualified behavior professional.

What should I do if a dog swallowed bed stuffing?

Call your veterinarian right away. VCA says a blockage can be life-threatening and that tissue can die if its blood supply is cut off for more than a few hours, so do not wait to see whether symptoms get worse.

Conclusion

No bed is guaranteed to survive a determined chewer, so choose for your dog’s habits and supervise. For large chewers and diggers, look at the Kuranda with Heavy Duty Vinyl. For a medium dog that chews in the crate but wants some softness, consider the K9 Ballistics padded crate bed. For a dog that digs at stuffed beds but leaves frames alone, the Coolaroo is the simple cot. If your dog swallows fabric or stuffing, call your veterinarian.

Sources

• ASPCA, Destructive Chewing
• VCA Animal Hospitals, Ingestion of Foreign Bodies in Dogs
• K9 Ballistics, Guarantee & Warranty
• Kuranda, 1 Year Chew Proof Warranty

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