Labs are prone to arthritis, hip dysplasia, and pressure calluses. Many of these issues can be prevented or eased by the right kind of dog bed. Not just any bed will do, which is why we’ve made this list of the best dog beds for Labs.
At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Dog Beds for Labs:
- Big Barker 7″ Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed – Our Top Pick
- Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed Lounge Sofa
- BarksBar Gray Orthopedic Dog Bed – Snuggly Sleeper
- Kuranda Dog Bed – Chewproof – All Aluminum (Silver)
- Dogbed4less Orthopedic Gel Infused Cooling Memory Foam Dog Bed
There are so many different dog beds to choose from that shopping for a new dog bed for your Labrador can be overwhelming. First, let’s talk about the different types of dog beds, why getting the right bed is crucial, and what you should look for in a Labrador dog bed.
Best Dog Beds for Labs: Quick View
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick Big Barker 7″ Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed for Large and Extra Large Breed Dogs
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed Lounge Sofa Removable Cover 100% Suede 4″ Mattress Memory-Foam Premium Prestige Edition
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | BarksBar Gray Orthopedic Dog Bed – Snuggly Sleeper
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Kuranda Dog Bed – Chewproof – All Aluminum (Silver) – Ultra-Duty Outdoor Bed – 40 oz. Solid Vinyl
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Dogbed4less Orthopedic Gel Infused Cooling Memory Foam Dog Bed
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
Why are Dog Beds for Labs Important?
While your Lab may seem content sleeping on either the floor or your furniture, there are good reasons why neither of these places is ideal. Some reasons include:
- Your furniture doesn’t have the right support. Have you ever slept on a mattress that was too soft or too firm? Your dog can wake up with the same aches and pains after sleeping on your furniture or the floor.
- The crate can get uncomfortable without a bed. If your Lab spends much time in a crate, the plastic tray can be cold and uncomfortable. Every crate should have a good dog bed in it.
- Dog nails are tough on furniture. No matter how short you keep your dog’s nails, they can still puncture your nice furniture as they jump up and down. It’s worse if your dog loves to dig. A dog bed is cheaper to replace than your furniture.
- You could trip over your dog. That midnight urge to use the bathroom could end up in disaster if you trip over your Lab while he’s sleeping on the floor.
- Your furniture will be covered in hair. Everybody who has ever owned a Labrador knows that Labs shed – A LOT. The less time she spends on your sofa, the less dog hair will cover it.
The best reason to buy your Labrador a bed is that they deserve to be spoiled! Show your Lab how much you love them by buying the best bed you can afford. They can sleep in pain-free luxury knowing you want the best for them.
What Type of Dog Bed is Best for Your Labrador?
There are 3 main types of dog beds. The best type of dog bed for your Lab is generally going to be an orthopedic or memory foam bed. Let’s talk about the main types of pet beds and look at the pros and cons, so you fully understand which type of bed is best for your Lab.
Orthopedic or Memory Foam
Memory foam mattresses have become increasingly popular for humans, and for good reason – they provide the perfect combination of comfort and support. All your curves and joints can sink into the memory foam while your spine is kept straight.
Those same benefits apply to your Lab. Labs are prone to hip dysplasia, pressure calluses, arthritis, and other leg or joint problems. Pressure points caused by sleeping on the floor or a thinly-cushioned bed can cause or worsen these problems.
Investing in a high-quality memory foam mattress now could help prevent pain in your Lab down the road and lessen any pain that they do develop.
Traditional Fiber-Filled Beds
These will be the cheapest beds you can find. Sometimes your dog just needs a bed and can’t wait for you to fit something else in your budget.
These beds don’t have much cushioning to prevent pressure points where your Lab’s joints meet the floor. The fiber filling also tends to shift, clump, or flatten over time. As a result, fiber-filled dog beds tend to have a short lifespan and need to be replaced on a fairly regular basis.
Elevated Cots
Elevated cots have several important uses:
- They’re often waterproof and portable, making for a great backyard or camping bed.
- Elevated cots are much more durable and can stand up better to heavy chewers or dogs who like to dig at their bed.
- They keep your dog cooler by getting them off the floor. If you live in a warm climate, sleeping on the floor can be hot for your dog. Elevated cots improve airflow all-around your dog and keep them cooler.
While they don’t provide as much cushion as an orthopedic or memory foam dog bed, elevated cots have several specific purposes that may make them the best choice for your dog.
Things to Look for
Now that you have an idea of which type of dog bed would work best for your Lab, what other things should you look for when in dog beds for Labs? Here are some suggestions.
Machine-Washable Removable Cover
Labs can be dirty. They’re very active, and you may not be able to wash their paws every time they have a muddle adventure. They can also drool and shed like maniacs, even when you brush them with the best brushes and de-shedding tools.
A Lab’s bed can get dirty pretty quickly, so a machine-washable removable cover is a must-have feature when you’re looking for a dog bed for a Lab.
Waterproof
This may not be an important factor if you have a young, healthy Lab, but older Labs or those with health or mobility issues may have problems with incontinence. You don’t want your dog to ruin the bed if that happens, so look for one that includes a waterproof inner liner.
Durable Cover
Some dogs like to dig at their beds, and some covers just can’t stand up to that level of abuse. Look for a dog bed with a durable cover that will stand up to dog nails and frequent washing.
Made in the USA or Europe
Not all countries have the same safety standards. While products made in places like China may be cheaper, they can also be lower quality. This can mean anything from a shorter lifespan to the use of toxic chemicals. Try to stick with dog beds made in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, or New Zealand.
Extended Warranty
If you spend a lot of money on something like a memory foam dog bed, you expect it to last for a while. Look for a company that stands behind their product with a warranty of at least 1 year. Our top-rated dog bed for Labs has an impressive 10-year warranty!
Thick Foam Layer
The thicker the foam layer in your dog’s bed, the less likely they are to have any pressure points where they sink through the bed and touch the floor. Memory foam that’s at least 4 inches thick is best.
Best Dog Bed for Labs
Now that you have a better idea of what you’re looking for in a dog bed, here are our recommendations for the 5 best dog beds for Labs.
#1 – Big Barker 7″ Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed for Large and Extra Large Breed Dogs (Headrest Edition)
Notable Features:
- Made in the USA
- 10-year warranty
- Easy to clean
- Designed for big dogs
- Won’t flatten
- 4 colors and 3 sizes to choose from
User Reviews: The height of this bed means dogs who like to hang partly off the bed don’t like it, but most dogs absolutely love this bed. Many people report laying on the bed themselves and report that it’s comfortable enough that they would sleep on it if it were longer. The foam doesn’t dent like cheaper dog beds, so the bed lasts much longer than most other beds.
Bottom Line: While this bed has a higher upfront cost than the other beds on our list, its long lifespan will pay for itself within a few years since most other beds need to be replaced every year or two. The cover is easy to wash, and the thickness of the bed is perfect for dogs with joint issues.
#2 – Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed Lounge Sofa Removable Cover 100% Suede 4″ Mattress Memory-Foam Premium Prestige Edition
Notable Features:
- Water-resistant liner and human-grade mattress foam
- Limited 1-Year Warranty
- Easy to clean
- Available in 5 colors and 4 sizes
User Reviews: Some people report an odor from the memory foam when the bed first arrives, and some people report problems with the cover falling apart in the wash, but most people and dogs love this bed.
Bottom Line: If the Big Barker is out of your price range, this one is nearly as good, even though the foam may not last as long. Wash the cover on a gentle cycle by itself because the nonslip nubs on the bottom of the cover tend to come off in the wash.
#3 – BarksBar Gray Orthopedic Dog Bed – Snuggly Sleeper
Notable Features:
- Padded rim cushion for dogs who like bolsters
- Can hold dogs up to 100+ pounds
- High-quality human-grade orthopedic foam
- Nonslip bottom
- Washable cover
User Reviews: Some reviewers complained that the bed fell apart pretty quickly, but most dogs and owners love the bed so much that multiple reviewers said they had ordered or were planning on ordering more.
Bottom Line: The BarksBar Orthopedic Dog Bed probably won’t hold up to diggers or chewers and may not be a good fit for dogs who prefer to stretch out rather than curl up, but it’s still a good choice for most dogs.
#4 – Kuranda Dog Bed – Chewproof – All Aluminum (Silver) – Ultra-Duty Outdoor Bed – 40 oz. Solid Vinyl
Notable Features:
- Patented, chew-proof high strength, lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum frame supports up to 250lbs
- Easy to clean
- 1-year warranty
- Elevated/Raised orthopedic design to keep your dog dry, cool, and comfortable indoors and outdoors
- Available in 6 sizes and 4 colors
User Reviews: This bed can be difficult to assemble, but it’s nearly impossible for dogs to destroy. Some dogs don’t like its firmness, but most dogs like it, and it withstands weather well.
Bottom Line: If your Lab has destroyed every soft bed you’ve ever bought for them, then this is the bed for you. It’s not quite indestructible, but pretty close, and it can be used indoors or outdoors. The 1-year warranty is a nice added benefit.
#5 – Dogbed4less Orthopedic Gel Infused Cooling Memory Foam Dog Bed
Notable Features:
- Includes a waterproof liner, 2 covers, and gel-infused memory foam
- Gel-infused memory foam stays cooler than traditional memory foam
- Washable cover
- Stain-resistant
- Available in 7 sizes and 2 colors
User Reviews: The inner waterproof cover may be water-resistant, but it doesn’t stand up well to serious urine leaks, and the material is very noisy when dogs walk on it. If you don’t need the waterproof cover, this is a bed that most dogs love.
Bottom Line: For dogs that don’t have bladder problems, this is a good bed choice and is more affordable than other memory foam dog beds. If you need something truly waterproof, you’ll need to buy a different liner or choose a different dog bed.
How to Choose Your Labrador’s Bed
Those are 5 pretty great dog beds, right? So how do you choose the one that will be most appropriate for your Lab? Here are some questions you should ask yourself to help make the best decision.
- What size are you looking for? Some Labs are bigger than others. Some like to sprawl out, and some prefer to curl up. The best tip is to measure how tall your dog is from the floor to the top of their head when they’re standing and add several inches. This should be the width of the bed (not the length). This lets them comfortably sprawl out without hanging off the bed.
- What can you afford? More expensive dog beds typically need to be replaced less frequently and end up being less costly than replacing a cheaper dog bed more frequently. However, that’s a moot point if you can’t afford that upfront expense.
- Why are you buying the bed? Do you want something your dog can use outside? Do you just want something to keep them off the floor? Do you want to relieve pressure points on their joints? The answer to this question will help guide your decision.
Still not sure which bed is best for your dog? Here’s a quick guide to help you out.
If you want: Then you should pick:
The most luxurious and thickest bed: Check out The Big Barker on Amazon
An elevated cot for outdoor use: Check out the Kuranda Dog Bed on Amazon
A bed with bolsters for dogs who sleep curled up: Check out the BarksBar Snuggly Sleeper on Amazon
A high-quality memory foam bed: Check out the Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed on Amazon
An affordable memory foam bed: Check out the Dogbed4less Gel infused Cooling Memory Foam on Amazon
How Big Should It Be?
How do you know what size of dog bed you should get? You need one that’s large enough for your Lab to relax in without hanging off the edge, but it also needs to fit in the space you want to keep it. Bigger isn’t always better.
If your Lab needs a bed for their crate, it’s easy enough to measure the dimensions of the crate. If you have a little more room in your home for something larger, measure your Lab from the top of their head to the floor, then add several inches. This should be the width of the dog bed. The length will be longer than that.
Taking Care of Your New Bed
A good dog bed can be a fairly significant investment, so you’ll want to do everything you can to extend the lifespan of your new dog bed. While you should always follow the manufacturer’s directions, here are some tips to help you take care of your new dog bed:
- Use cool, gentle settings when washing and drying the cover. Air drying the cover is even better. Heat and agitation may beat up a dog bed cover faster than a dog can.
- Don’t over- or under wash the cover. Washing a dog bed cover a lot keeps it looking clean, but it can also beat it up and shorten its lifespan.
- Spot clean the cover between washes. Since a full wash can beat up a dog bed cover, spot cleaning can help extend the life of a dog bed cover.
- Add a waterproof interior dog bed cover. This is especially important for dogs who are prone to accidents, but it can always be a benefit to extend the life of memory foam. Even if a dog bed includes a waterproof liner, you may need to add a better one.
- Think about adding fabric protectant. Test it in an inconspicuous spot on the bed first, but fabric protectant like this one can help extend the life of the dog bed cover.
With all the tips we’ve included here, hopefully, you can find the best dog bed for your Lab.
Do you love a dog bed we didn’t mention? Be sure to list it in the comments to help out other dog parents!
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Dr. Lillian is a D.V.M. passionate about promoting awareness of dogs. She shares her expertise through her blogs on canineweekly.com and provides animal care services, including internal medicine, dermatology, and emergency care. Dr. Lillian is committed to contributing to animal welfare.