Apartment Dog Beds That Actually Survive Weekly Washing
Furhaven Orthopedic Ultra Plush Deluxe Bed suits renters who need real joint support without eating up floor space. Renters worried about spills or hardwood damage should pick PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed for its waterproof liner. Dogs that chew or dig do better on the Kong Cushion Dog Bed, built from the same fabric as Kong’s toys.
Furhaven Orthopedic Ultra Plush Deluxe Bed leads this list for apartment dwellers who want real joint support without dedicating much floor space. Egg crate foam holds its shape through frequent machine washing, which matters in small units with heavy pet traffic. Its zippered cover takes longer to air dry than a thinner mat, so plan around laundry day without a dryer hookup.
Small living spaces punish dog beds quickly. Fur and drool build up faster in less square footage, indoor humidity lingers after washing, and a bulky bed crowds floor space renters cannot spare. We compared listed cover removal methods, manufacturer wash and dry ratings, stored dimensions, fill materials and owner reports of odor buildup or shrinkage after repeated laundering.
Our top picks
Furhaven Orthopedic Ultra Plush Deluxe Dog Bed
Egg crate orthopedic foam cradles joints while a plush faux fur cover zips off for washing. Owners in small units report the foam keeps its loft after dozens of wash cycles. Bolstered sides give a dog somewhere to rest its head without adding much footprint.
Pros
- Zippered cover removes in under a minute
- Egg crate foam resists flattening over time
- Bolster edge doubles as a headrest
Cons
- Foam base cannot go in the washer
- Air drying the cover takes several hours
PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed
A waterproof liner sits beneath the memory foam layer, so spills and accidents never reach the floor underneath. The plush cover unzips fully and tumbles dry on low heat, unusual for a memory foam design. Non skid backing keeps it from sliding on hardwood, a common apartment flooring type.
Pros
- Waterproof liner protects rental flooring
- Cover tumble dries instead of air drying only
- Non skid base stays put on hardwood
Cons
- Memory foam layer is spot clean only
- Runs firmer than fiberfill beds
MidWest QuietTime Deluxe Micro Terry Dog Bed
Sized to match standard wire crates, this mat slides into a crate corner without wasting space. Micro terry fabric wicks moisture and machine washes on a normal cycle without shrinking. It compresses flat for under bed storage, useful when floor space rotates between uses.
Pros
- Crate sized fit avoids wasted floor space
- Whole bed washes and dries as one piece
- Compresses flat for under bed storage
Cons
- Thinner cushioning than foam based beds
- Fiberfill flattens faster with daily use
Bedsure Orthopedic Dog Bed with Removable Washable Cover
Egg crate foam similar to pricier orthopedic beds comes at a lower cost, with a zippered cover that machine washes on cold. Bolstered sides suit dogs that like to lean while resting. Budget conscious renters get most of the support benefit without paying premium brand pricing.
Pros
- Orthopedic support at a lower cost
- Zippered cover simplifies regular washing
- Bolster sides suit dogs that lean
Cons
- Foam is thinner than premium orthopedic beds
- Cover fabric pills after repeated washing
Friends Forever Original Calming Donut Cuddler Dog Bed
A raised rim faux fur donut shape encourages small dogs to curl up, which many owners say eases anxiety in a loud building. The entire bed machine washes and holds its round shape afterward, rare for donut style beds. Light weight makes it easy to shift between rooms.
Pros
- Whole bed washes without losing shape
- Raised rim suits dogs that like to curl
- Light enough to move between rooms
Cons
- Not rated for dogs over 25 pounds
- Rim flattens faster than firmer bolster beds
AmazonBasics Padded Pet Bed
A simple padded mat with no bolster keeps the footprint minimal, fitting under a desk or beside a couch without crowding a small room. It machine washes and lays flat to dry within a few hours, faster than thicker beds. Thin padding suits dogs that prefer a low profile spot over a cushioned bolster design.
Pros
- Minimal footprint fits tight corners
- Dries faster than thicker foam beds
- Affordable across all size options
Cons
- No bolster support for dogs that lean
- Padding compresses more than foam beds
Kong Cushion Dog Bed
Kong builds the cover from the same durable fabric used in its chew toys, so claws and light chewing do not shred it as fast as thinner covers. The zippered cover removes for machine washing while the base cushion stays in place underneath. Reinforced seams hold up under dogs that dig at bedding before lying down.
Pros
- Fabric resists tearing from digging and chewing
- Reinforced seams outlast basic mat beds
- Zippered cover simplifies washing
Cons
- Cushion insert cannot be machine washed
- Bulkier than a flat mat style bed
How to choose
What washable actually means on a dog bed label Washable means different things across listings. Some beds unzip a cover while a foam or fiberfill core stays dry clean only, and others load the entire bed into a standard machine. Check the care label for wash cycle and dryer heat rating before buying, since foam run through a hot dryer can warp or lose loft. A liner under the cover matters too, since it keeps moisture from reaching stuffing that takes days to dry through.
How much floor space a washable bed needs Apartment floor plans rarely spare a corner for a bulky bed. Crate matched mats slide into an existing crate footprint, adding no new floor space at all. Donut and bolster styles need more square footage but compress or fold for closet storage between uses. Measure the intended spot before ordering, since returns on bulky pet beds cost more in shipping than the bed itself.
Which fill holds up best to repeat washing Egg crate foam resists flattening across many wash and dry cycles, though the foam core itself usually cannot go in a machine. Polyester fiberfill washes and dries as a whole unit but compresses faster under daily use. Memory foam offers firm support yet needs spot cleaning rather than full immersion. Owners who wash weekly tend to favor fiberfill or crate matched mats simply because the whole bed dries fast.
Best picks for chewers, shedders and multi-pet homes Dogs that dig or chew before settling need a reinforced cover fabric, not a thin cotton blend that tears within weeks. Heavy shedders benefit from a fully removable cover rather than a fixed one, since loose fur otherwise works into stitching. Multi-pet households wash more often, so a bed that survives frequent cycles without shrinking matters more than plush thickness. Small breeds under 25 pounds often do better in a raised rim design that limits how far they sprawl.
Side by side
| # | Model | Size options | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Furhaven Orthopedic Ultra Plush Deluxe Dog Bed | Small to jumbo, fits studio and one bedroom layouts | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed | Small, medium, large | Best for waterproofing and hardwood floors | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | MidWest QuietTime Deluxe Micro Terry Dog Bed | 18 to 54 inch crate matched sizes | Best for crate fit and space saving | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Bedsure Orthopedic Dog Bed with Removable Washable Cover | Small through extra large | Best budget | 8.7 | Check price |
| 5 | Friends Forever Original Calming Donut Cuddler Dog Bed | Small and medium, best for dogs under 25 pounds | Best for small and anxious dogs | 8.4 | Check price |
| 6 | AmazonBasics Padded Pet Bed | Small, medium, large, extra large | Best compact footprint | 8.2 | Check price |
| 7 | Kong Cushion Dog Bed | Small, medium, large | Best for chewers and diggers | 8.0 | Check price |
Common questions
Can dog beds go in the washing machine?
Many can, though checking the label matters first. Beds with a zippered removable cover almost always machine wash, while one piece foam beds without a liner often list the core as spot clean only.
How often should a dog bed be washed?
Weekly works for a dog that spends most of the day on it, and every two to three weeks suits occasional use. Apartments with less airflow tend to hold odor longer, so more frequent washing helps there specifically.
What is the best dog bed for small apartments?
Crate matched mats like the MidWest QuietTime Deluxe Micro Terry take up the least floor space, since they fit an existing crate rather than adding new footprint. Dogs without a crate do well on a compact mat such as the AmazonBasics Padded Pet Bed.
Are memory foam dog beds machine washable?
The foam core usually is not, but the cover often is. The PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed keeps memory foam under a waterproof liner while its outer cover unzips and machine washes.
How do you get dog smell out of a bed permanently?
Wash the cover on the warmest setting the label allows, then let the foam or fill air out fully between washes rather than storing it damp. A liner under the cover stops odor causing moisture from reaching the fill in the first place.
Orthopedic vs regular dog bed, which is better for small dogs?
Orthopedic egg crate foam helps older or arthritic dogs of any size, while younger small dogs often do fine on lighter fiberfill. Weight matters more than breed here, since the support benefit shows most in dogs over seven years old.
Can a dog bed go in the dryer?
Only if the label says dryer safe, and usually only on low heat. High heat can melt certain fabric coatings or warp foam, so air drying stays the safer default for anything not explicitly rated for a dryer.
What size dog bed fits a studio apartment?
A small to medium bed under 30 inches across generally fits without crowding a studio layout. Crate sized mats and compact pads leave the most floor space free for furniture and walking room.
Which dog bed works best for chewers or diggers?
The Kong Cushion Dog Bed uses the same durable fabric as Kong’s chew toys, so digging and light chewing do not shred the cover as fast as thinner materials. Reinforced seams add extra durability along the edges.
The bottom line
Furhaven Orthopedic Ultra Plush Deluxe Dog Bed remains the strongest all around pick, pairing real joint support with a cover that survives weekly washing in a small unit. Renters worried about spills or hardwood damage should choose the PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed instead, since its waterproof liner protects flooring a landlord will inspect. Owners of dogs that chew or dig before lying down should skip both and pick the Kong Cushion Dog Bed for its tougher cover fabric.
Olivia Hartley
Olivia spent several years working at an animal shelter and a pet-supply retailer before joining the editorial team. She researches pet gear with an emphasis on safety, comfort and the fine print that owners often miss.
