Crate mattress or a proper bed?
Updated 16 September 2026
A crate is a fixed box, so a flat mattress gives your dog the full floor to lie on. Everywhere else the shape is about comfort, which is where a bolster or a donut comes in.
A crate mattress does the hardest working job in the house, because it gets stepped on, dug into a nest and slept on every night. Flat, thick and washable in one piece is what keeps it in good order through a puppy's first year.
That points to something simple, flat and machine washable, with a non-slip base so it stays put when a dog steps on and off. Save the bolsters and the deep plush for the bed in the living room.
Side by side
Crate mattress
A flat pad sized to the crate base, usually washable in one piece.
Suits
- Crates, car boots and vans
- Puppies in house training
- Dogs that dig their bedding into a nest
Ones we like
KSIIA
A flat washable mattress sized to drop straight into a crate or a car boot.
Measure the crate base and buy to that size. KSIIA suggest patting it down and letting it loft for about 24 hours first.
Bedsure
A fluffy crate mattress in an XL size, for big dogs who lie flat out.
Big enough for a labrador to stretch right out, and the side strap means it hangs up to dry after a wash.
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A proper bed
A bolstered or donut bed for the living room, where the shape is about comfort.
Suits
- The bed a dog chooses in the evening
- Dogs that rest their head on something
- Households where the bed is also furniture
Ones we like
KSIIA
Orthopaedic Sofa Bed, 90 x 57cm
A bolster dog bed with raised sides for dogs that sleep against something.
A good middle ground for a dog that likes a headrest and still stretches out, and the covers unzip for the machine.
Rosewood
40 Winks Deep Plush Donut Bed, 27 inch
A deep plush donut bed for dogs that curl up and burrow.
Watch how your dog settles first. A dog that curls into a ball will take to this one straight away.
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Common questions
What size crate mattress does my dog need?
Measure the inside of the crate base and buy to that measurement. A mattress that matches the floor lies flat, stays put under a dog that turns in the night, and gives the full length of the crate to stretch out in.
What crate bedding suits a puppy that chews?
A thin mat or a fleece blanket works well through the chewing months, because it is quick to wash and easy to swap for a fresh one. Once the phase passes, move up to a proper mattress in the same size.
Should a crate mattress be waterproof?
A wipe-clean base is the useful part during house training, because spills stay on the surface and the cover goes in the machine. Look for a fabric base such as Oxford, which stays soft to lie on and handles damp well.