Not all dogs appreciate curling up in a plush bed and taking a nap. If your dog would rather pull all the stuffing out of her bed instead of resting in it, consider buying one specifically made for chewers. The best chew-proof dog beds will ensure your pup is comfortable and has joint support while sleeping while also keep you from constantly spending money to replace shredded dog bedding.
Traits We Want in a Chew-Proof Dog Bed
There are a ton of dog beds on the market that claim to be indestructible but can still be destroyed by a persistent pup. Look for these three things when shopping for a chew-proof dog bed:
A chew-proof warranty: Most high-quality “indestructible” beds will come complete with (at least) a 30- to 60-day warranty. Some of the products I tested have chew-proof guarantees for even longer—up to the lifetime of the product. If your dog chews through the beds within the warranty window, most companies will replace or fix your product, or refund your money. If you’re worried about dropping a lot of cash on a fancy bed that your dog might shred up immediately, a chew-proof warranty makes the risk a little more worth it.
Products made with chew resistant materials: Fluffy, fuzzy beds might seem more like a chew toy to your dog than a comfortable place to sleep. If your dog has destroyed a bed before, look for materials that discourage chewing, like metal or plastic frames, and strong ripstop or ballistic nylon fabric. Raised cots usually check these boxes and are typically a better-suited design for chewers than traditional foam or filled dog beds.
Minimal or no padding: There are chew-resistant cushioned dog beds, but if you have a super chewer who is prone to ripping foam and eating stuffing or fabric you should steer clear of anything with padding as a safety precaution.
Whether your dog is an adult or a puppy plays into why they might be deconstructing their bedding. According to Whole Dog Journal writer Elizabeth Vecsi, puppies and adolescents engage in “exploratory chewing” for as long as two years. An adult dog might chew up their bedding because of a lack of physical and mental activity, a stressful change in environment, or even for a medical reason.
If you’re dealing with a puppy who is chewing up their beds constantly, you can practice the trade game to discourage unwanted nibbling and give your puppy an appropriate outlet to chew (like a chew or toy instead of their bed). You may also need to only allow puppies bedding while they’re supervised to ensure they don’t ingest any fabric or wadding.
Know that even products marketed as indestructible dog beds are likely not 100% indestructible, even if designed to discourage chewing. If your dog or puppy is liable to rip up any fabric bed in his crate or otherwise, err on the side of caution. Taking away your dog’s bedding while you get to the root cause of the chewing is better than dealing with an intestinal obstruction caused by your dog ingesting pieces of a bed.
Read on for the best chew-proof and chew-resistant dog beds I tested for WDJ:
Best Chew-Proof Dog Beds
| WDJ Rating | Product/Manufacturer | Price | Sizes/Colors | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 paws | K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored Rip-Stop Elevated Dog Bed | $129-$199 | S-XXL Obsidian, Sandstone, Blue Quartz | The best choice for strong, persistent chewers, this K9 Ballistics bed is designed to discourage dogs from biting it. The aluminum frame comes with reinforced corners connected by durable ballistic material for your dog to rest on. The bed has a little bit of give that offers comfort without the risk of extra fabric that can be chewed on. It works as a crate pad or a standalone cot and can be used with or without the detachable legs. You’ll also score a 120-day chew-proof warranty. |
| 3.5 paws | Primo Pads | $31-$105 | 13”x22”-36”x54" Black, blue, green, pink, purple, red, tan | Primo Pads are the budget pick of this list with prices starting at $31 for small crate pads. They come in dozens of sizes for multiple different crate types and can even be custom ordered. I love how easy they are to clean—just hose or wipe them down and let them dry. The optional add-on lockdown system for wire crates will keep your pup from accessing the sides or corners to chew on. I wish Primo Pads came with a slightly longer warranty—the brand will only replace a chewed-up pad one time if it’s damaged within 30 days. |
| 3 paws | Orvis RecoveryZone ToughChew Couch Dog Bed | $303-$423 | S-XL Brown, Slate, Granite, Khaki | A supportive, padded option for light and moderate chewers, the Orvis RecoveryZone ToughChew has a tightly woven cover and firm foam inserts. I love that the foam is protected by a water-resistant material and that the main cover is machine washable. It stood up to digging/nesting by my tester dogs and the assembly was a breeze in comparison to other similarly sized foam beds I’ve tested. |
| 3 paws | K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored Padded Elevated Dog Crate Bed | $138-$209 | S-XXL Obsidian, Sandstone, Blue Quartz | One step down in durability from its non-padded counterpart, this K9 Ballistics raised cot adds padding to the center for additional support and comfort. The padding, however, may be more enticing to dogs who like to chew. |
WDJ’s Top Pick
I was impressed with all of the chew-proof and chew-resistant dog beds I tested, but the K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored Rip-Stop Elevated Dog Bed came out on top. It’s about as chew-proof as dog beds come with a sturdy aluminum frame, aluminum reinforced corners, and waterproof ballistic fabric. It’s raised off the ground, so dogs get circulation under them to stay cool in hot weather—a great feature for heavily coated breeds.
I liked how easy this bed was to put together—all I needed to do was screw the four legs on. It works well as a crate bed since it comes in most standard crate sizes. I found that it’s nearly impossible for dogs to chew on when used in a properly sized crate—the edges sit flush with the sides, and don’t allow much room for a dog to get their teeth around the edges or legs.
I work part time as a kennel and dog show assistant for a Malamute breeder who has 14 dogs and she has these beds in most of the dogs’ kennels. These working dogs are large, exuberant, and hard on their gear. The K9 Ballistics beds have been in the indoor and outdoor sections of the kennels for months with minimal to no signs of wear. They hold up to rain, being hosed down, and strong dog toenails.
This bed comes with K9 Ballistics’ 120-day chew-proof warranty which means the brand will offer you a one-time-only credit to replace the damaged bed within that time frame. I do wish that the warranty was longer than 120 days—other options on this list have chew proof guarantees up to a year or even for the lifetime of the product.
Runners Up
Primo Pads have been loved by dog sport and dog show exhibitors for years and they’re one of the best options for a chew-proof dog bed for crates. They’re made of firm closed-cell foam and covered in a waterproof, dust-proof, and hair-proof outer material. There are no zippers or stitching on these beds since they’re heat-closed, making them less enticing for chewers. I tested Primo Pads in both an Impact Crate and in a normal wire crate, and even without the brand’s lockdown system, the fit is tight enough that most dogs won’t be able to pull it up and chew on it. The lockdown system is for use with wire crates and consists of reusable zip ties that secure the pad to the bottom of the crate. If your Primo Pad gets dirty, it can easily be wiped or hosed down, making it a good option for dogs who like to get dirty. Primo Pads are available for wire crates, Ruffland Kennels, Vari Kennels, Impact crates, East Coast kennels, Dakota 283 kennels, and in custom sizes. The main downside of Primo Pads is their chew-proof warranty—currently, the brand will only offer a single replacement pad if it’s chewed within 30 days of receipt.
The Orvis RecoveryZone ToughChew Couch Dog Bed is an option for dogs who aren’t extremely strong chewers. It’s a firm foam bed that offers significantly more support than other options on our list, and the tightly woven cover feels extremely sturdy. The assembly of the ToughChew Couch bed was simple and straightforward—the directions were well written, and the foam pieces are covered in nylon-like sleeves, so they were easy to position in the cover. The only downside of the assembly is that the zipper was somewhat difficult to close. Though the brand doesn’t claim that the ToughChew Couch is orthopedic, the two-layer foam in this bed is focused on taking pressure off your dog’s joints, helping them recover quickly, and keeping them at a comfortable temperature. This bed comes with a lifetime chew-proof warranty, but it gets three paws instead of four because some user reviews said that their very persistent pups were able to chew through the bed. If you have a small dog or a dog who is a moderate chewer, the ToughChew Couch could be a good option—just size up if your dog likes to spread out.
K9 Ballistics has a padded version of the Chew Proof Armored dog bed that adds in filling to the middle of the cot for joint support and comfort. This bed is made with the same aluminum frame and detachable legs as the non-padded version, but I docked it a star because the padded center is more enticing for dogs to chew. It could still be a solid choice for dogs who only tend to nibble on the corners of beds since the corners are made of aluminum. You’ll be able to take advantage of K9 Ballistics’ 120-day chew-proof warranty in case your dog decides to disassemble the padding.
