Best Puppy Bedding Options: Beds, Mats and Materials

The best puppy bedding for most new owners is a washable, chew-resistant crate mat or low bolster bed sized for your puppy now. Add a waterproof liner underneath, and upgrade once chewing and toilet training settle.

Puppy bedding is compared below by type, material and climate, along with how to handle accidents and chewing.

Bedding sits alongside the crate, bowls and toys in a complete puppy home setup.

Puppy bed types compared

Each bed type suits a different stage and situation, so match the bed to your puppy’s age, chewing habits and the room or climate it will sleep in. The table gives a quick, neutral comparison; the sections below explain each type.

Bed type	Best for	Pros	Watch-outs	Washability	Chew resistance	Climate fit
Crate mat or pad	Young puppies in a crate or playpen	Thin, cheap to replace, fits the crate floor	Little support for older or larger dogs	High, most go in the machine	Low to medium	All year
Bolster or donut bed	Puppies that like to curl up and lean	Cosy sides, feels secure	Stuffing tempts chewers; bulky to wash	Medium, check for a removable cover	Low	Cooler months
Orthopaedic or memory foam bed	Large breeds and older puppies	Even support for joints	Foam is hard to clean if soaked	Cover only	Low	All year with a breathable cover
Elevated or trampoline bed	Hot weather, outdoor areas under cover	Airflow underneath, off hot or cold floors	Edges can be chewed; needs a mat in winter	High, wipe or hose down	Medium	Hot summers
Chew-resistant bed	Determined chewers past the first weeks	Tough canvas or ballistic nylon	No bed is fully chew proof	Medium to high	High	All year
Blankets and towels	Extra comfort and familiar scent	Easy to wash and rotate	Can be shredded and swallowed	High	Low	Cooler months

Which bed type suits your puppy?

Start simple with a mat or low bed, then choose a longer-term bed once you know your puppy’s adult size and habits.

Crate mats and pads

A fitted crate mat is the most practical first bed. It covers the crate floor, washes easily and costs little to replace if it is chewed or soiled. Choose one with a non-slip base and a cover that survives frequent washing.

Bolster and donut beds

Raised sides let a puppy curl up and rest its head, which many find comforting. The trade-off is stuffing, which teething puppies love to pull out. Choose a removable, zipped cover and keep these beds for supervised time at first.

Orthopaedic and memory foam beds

Firm, even foam supports growing joints and suits large and giant breeds as they mature. Look for a waterproof inner liner and a removable cover, because foam that absorbs urine is very hard to clean properly.

Elevated and trampoline beds

A raised frame with taut fabric lets air circulate underneath, keeping puppies cooler and off hot paving or cold tiles. They work well on verandahs and in covered outdoor areas, and are easy to hose down.

Chew-resistant beds

Beds made from heavy canvas or ballistic nylon, with hidden zips and tight seams, hold up better against chewing. They are a sensible choice once you know your puppy is a chewer, though supervision still matters.

Materials that suit puppies

The best materials for puppy bedding are tough, washable and breathable, with a waterproof layer between the cover and any foam or filling.

Canvas and ballistic nylon resist claws and teeth and dry quickly, which makes them practical outer covers for young puppies. Breathable mesh works well on elevated beds and in warm rooms, since it lets heat escape rather than trapping it.

Faux fur and plush fabrics feel soft and warm, and many puppies love them, but loose fibres and long piles are easy to chew and pull apart. They suit calmer puppies and cooler months better than the teething stage.

Foam gives the best support, but only with a waterproof liner and a zipped cover over it. Shredded fibre or polystyrene bead fillings can be a problem if a puppy chews through the cover, so check seams regularly.

Whatever you choose, the RSPCA recommends soft, dry bedding for new puppies that keeps them cosy and not too hot or too cold. Avoid loose ribbons, buttons or decorative trims that could be chewed off and swallowed.

Bedding for toilet accidents

Plan for accidents by layering a waterproof liner under a washable cover and keeping at least two sets of bedding on rotation.

Most puppies have accidents in the first weeks, and bedding that cannot be washed quickly becomes a problem fast. A waterproof liner protects foam or filling, while a removable cover can go straight into the machine. With a second set ready, your puppy always has a clean, dry bed.

Avoid a large plush bed in the crate during early toilet training. A bed much bigger than your puppy gives it room to soil one end and sleep at the other, which can slow progress. A fitted mat keeps the space small and easy to clean, and it dries quickly between washes.

Clean accidents with an enzyme cleaner rather than ammonia-based products, since lingering odours can draw a puppy back to the same spot. If accidents in the bed continue, review your puppy toilet training routine, and speak with your vet if you notice frequent urination or other changes.

Bedding for Australian summers and winters

In Australian summers, choose breathable or elevated bedding in a shaded, well-ventilated spot; in winter, add insulation to get your puppy off cold tiles and concrete.

Thick, plush beds can trap heat on hot days. An elevated bed or a thin mat on a cool floor lets your puppy regulate its temperature, and moving the bed away from windows and direct sun helps too. Knowing the safe temperature range for dogs in Australia makes it easier to spot a puppy that is too warm.

Cooling mats can help in hot weather, but supervise their use and check the product for chew safety, since a chewed mat may expose its filling.

In winter, tiled and concrete floors draw warmth from a sleeping puppy. A raised bed with a blanket on top, or a thicker bolster bed, keeps your puppy comfortable. In an outdoor puppy setup, beds should sit under cover, out of rain and wind, with dry bedding. Check the bed after wet weather, since damp bedding loses its warmth quickly.

What if your puppy chews its bed?

If your puppy chews its bed, swap to a simple chew-resistant mat, remove any loose stuffing and give it better things to chew.

No bed is truly chew proof, despite the label on many products. A chew-resistant bed raises the bar, but a determined teething puppy can still damage seams and zips. Treat the term as a guide to durability rather than a promise, and check seams and zips each time you wash the cover.

Swallowed stuffing, foam or fabric can cause stomach upsets or blockages, so remove a shredded bed straight away. If you think your puppy has swallowed a large amount, it is best to call your veterinarian for advice.

Supervise new beds at first and offer safe chew toys for teething whenever your puppy settles down. For a puppy that keeps destroying bedding, a bare crate floor with a durable mat for a few weeks is a reasonable, temporary option. Calm, reward-based redirection of mouthing and chewing works better than punishment.

Should a puppy crate have bedding, and what size?

Yes, a puppy crate should usually have bedding, typically a fitted, washable mat, unless your puppy is shredding and swallowing it.

A crate mat makes a well-sized puppy crate comfortable and inviting, which helps your puppy see it as a safe place to rest. If bedding is being destroyed, remove it for a short period and reintroduce a tougher mat once chewing eases.

To size a bed, measure your puppy lying stretched out from nose to tail base and add a little room. In a crate, the mat should match the crate floor. For a long-term bed, think about your puppy’s expected adult size, but use a smaller bed or mat during toilet training. As a budget guide, RSPCA NSW lists $100 to $200 for a bed or kennel in the first year.

Plan to upgrade once your puppy is reliably toilet trained and past the heaviest chewing. Where your puppy sleeps also matters, especially on a puppy’s first night home, when a calm sleep area helps it settle.

Next steps: choose a bed and set up the sleep area

Pick a bed type from the comparison table that suits your puppy’s age, chewing and climate, and buy a second cover for washing days.

Set up the sleep area before your puppy comes home, then review the bedding once toilet training and teething settle and you know your puppy’s adult size.

Frequently asked questions

1. What is the best bed for a puppy?

The best bed for most puppies is a washable, chew-resistant crate mat or a low bolster bed sized for now, with a waterproof liner. Upgrade to a supportive or elevated bed once your puppy is toilet trained, past heavy chewing and close to adult size.

2. Should I put a bed in my puppy’s crate?

Yes, most puppies are more comfortable with a fitted, washable mat in the crate. Avoid a large plush bed during toilet training, and remove bedding for a short time if your puppy shreds and swallows it, then try a tougher mat.

3. Where should my new puppy sleep at night?

Most new puppies settle best in a crate or small safe zone close to where you sleep, with a fitted mat and a familiar-smelling blanket. Being nearby helps you hear when your puppy needs a toilet break and can make the first nights calmer.

4. Is there such a thing as a chew proof dog bed?

No bed is completely chew proof. Beds made from heavy canvas or ballistic nylon with hidden zips resist chewing much better than plush beds, but a determined puppy can still damage them. Supervise, provide chew toys and remove any shredded bedding promptly.

5. How often should I wash my puppy’s bedding?

Wash your puppy’s bedding covers about once a week, and straight away after any toilet accident. Keep two sets on rotation so a clean bed is always ready, and use an enzyme cleaner on accident spots to remove lingering odours.