What Size Dog Bed Do I Need? Measure in 2 Minutes

Short answer: measure your dog from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail while they're lying down, then add 6 to 12 inches. That number is the minimum bed length you want. The rest of this guide shows you how to take the measurement in two minutes and how to adjust it for the way your dog actually sleeps.

A bed that's too small is a common reason dogs ignore a new bed and go back to the couch. Weight charts can help, but two dogs of the same weight can have very different shapes. A 20 lb beagle and a 20 lb dachshund need different beds. Length is what matters most.

How to measure your dog

1. Wait until your dog is lying down, ideally in their usual sleeping position. Right after a walk or a meal works well.
2. Measure nose to tail base with a soft tape measure. Don't include the tail itself. If your dog won't hold still, measure the spot they were lying on once they get up.
3. Measure shoulder width at the widest point. This matters for dogs who sleep on their side or back.
4. Write down both numbers in inches. Most US pet bed listings use inches, so this saves converting later.

How much to add

The amount you add depends on how your dog sleeps:

• Curlers sleep in a tight ball, nose tucked to tail. Add about 6 inches. They like a snug bed with raised sides to lean against.
• Sprawlers stretch out on their side or flop on their back. Add 10 to 12 inches, and check the width too.
• Leaners like to rest their chin or back against something. Any size, but they're happiest in a bed with a bolster, the raised cushioned edge around the sides.
• Burrowers like to tuck themselves under or inside something. A covered bed or small house suits them better than an open cushion.

Not sure which one your dog is? Watch where they choose to nap for a few days. Dogs who sleep pressed against the arm of the couch are usually leaners or curlers. Dogs who end up across the whole floor are sprawlers.

Bolster beds: check the sleeping area

Many listed bed sizes are the outer measurement, from edge to edge. On a bolster bed, the raised sides take up a few inches of that space, so the flat area your dog actually lies on is smaller. Before you order, check whether a size is the outer edge or the sleeping area. If it isn't stated, assume it's the outer edge.

A simple rule: if your number lands within 2 or 3 inches of a size, go one size up. A bed that's slightly roomy is fine. A bed that's slightly small usually goes unused.

Example: choosing a size for the Pawables Cozy Pet Sofa

The Pawables Cozy Pet Sofa is a bolster bed that comes in five sizes. Here are the listed sizes (length × width × height):

• S: 15.7 × 11.8 × 3.9 in
• M: 19.7 × 15 × 5.1 in
• L: 27.6 × 19.7 × 5.9 in
• XL: 35.4 × 23.6 × 7.1 in
• XXL: 43.3 × 27.6 × 7.9 in

Say your dog measures 22 inches from nose to tail base and sleeps curled up. Add 6 inches and you get 28 inches. That lands right at the L (27.6 in), so following the size-up rule, the XL is the safer pick. If the same dog sprawls, add 10 to 12 inches for 32 to 34 inches, which also points to the XL.

Puppies and growing dogs

If your dog is still growing, buy for the adult size rather than the size they are today. Ask your vet or breeder roughly how big your puppy is expected to get. A large bed can feel too open for a small puppy at first; a folded blanket in one corner makes it cozier until they grow into it.

Sharing a bed

Two pets sharing one bed need more room than you'd think. Measure each one, add their lengths together for a pair of curlers, or use the longer dog's sprawling length for a pair who like to stretch out side by side. When in doubt, two medium beds next to each other work better than one bed that's a little too small for both.

Signs the bed is the wrong size

• Your dog's head or legs hang over the edge.
• They circle and circle but never settle.
• They lie half on the bed and half on the floor.
• They try the bed once, then go back to the couch or your bed.

Any of these usually means the bed is too small. A bed that's too big rarely causes problems unless your dog is a curler who wants to feel enclosed, in which case a bolster or covered bed helps.

For small dogs who like to hide

Small dogs who burrow under blankets often prefer a covered bed. The Pawables Cozy Hideaway is a soft, semi-enclosed house for cats and small dogs. It comes in three sizes, with a size guide on the product page.

Quick recap

1. Measure nose to tail base, lying down.
2. Add 6 inches for curlers, 10 to 12 inches for sprawlers.
3. On bolster beds, assume the listed size is the outer edge.
4. Within 2 to 3 inches of a size? Size up.

Browse all of our dog beds, every one listed in inches, with free US shipping on every order this Cozy Season.