It’s frustrating seeing your dog reduce a new dog bed to a pile of fluff. While no dog bed is one hundred percent chew-proof, uniquely resistant bed designs and materials like ripstop fabrics, heavy-duty canvas, ballistic nylon, or even ultra-thick denim can thwart many chewers.
“For dogs that like to chew, high-quality, chew- and water-proof materials are generally the best choice for dog beds,” Integrative Veterinarian Dr. Carol Osborne told The Spruce Pets. “Chewing for a dog is like comfort food for people. It offers an outlet helpful to relieve loneliness and boredom.”
We’ve tested more than 60 dog beds, including dozens of orthopedic and cooling dog beds, in addition to beds for dogs of all sizes. We’ve encountered several dog beds that have stood out for their durability.
Our favorite dog bed for chewers is the Kuranda Standard Dog Bed which offers a cool, relaxing place to rest that won’t get bitten through. Available in five sizes, it offers everything any chew-obsessed dog might need to keep their bed safe.
Best Overall: Kuranda Chewproof Dog Bed
What We Like
- Multiple configuration options
- Elevated for cooling
- Easy to assemble
What We Don’t Like
- Some options have sporadic availability from online retailers
Kuranda dog beds come with a chew proof warranty, which covers your dog bed for the first year after purchase. You probably won’t need it—these beds are very tough. Each bed has a wide frame that prevents your dog from biting over it and piercing the taut fabric sleep surface. Most Kuranda dog beds are rated for up to 250 pounds.
We also like Kuranda dog beds because they are highly configurable. Available in PVC or aircraft-grade aluminum, you can select from four different materials for the fabric, which is held taut in the frame, forming a hammock-like surface for your dog to rest on. The heavy-duty vinyl, ballistic nylon, and Cordura nylon options are all covered by the chew proof guarantee. They’re also available in a wide range of sizes, making them suitable for small or large breed dogs. Each bed is elevated seven inches off the ground.
The Kuranda dog bed is easy to clean, since you wipe or hose its surface down. Most options are suitable for indoor or outdoor use too.
One downside to hammock-frame dog beds is that they don’t have edge-to-edge cushioning, so proper sizing is a must. If your dog is too big for the bed, then their paws might hang over, on to the stiff frame, resulting in less comfort and less use. Measure your dog lying down and consider going one size up.
Dimensions: 25 x 18, 30 x 20, 35 x 23, 40 x 25, 44 x 27, and 50 x 36 inches | Materials: Vinyl, ballistic nylon, Cordura nylon, Textilene mesh | Colors: Smoke, burgundy, forest green, royal blue, navy
Also Great: K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Armored Rip-Stop Elevated Dog Bed
What We Like
- Can be personalized with your dog’s name
- Aluminum frame rated to 250 pounds
- Suitable for indoor or outdoor use
- Wash with a hose
- Comes assembled
What We Don’t Like
- Fewer configuration options
- Shorter chew proof guarantee than Kuranda
K9 Ballistics makes very similar dog beds to Kuranda, and our testers loved both brands. Just like the Kuranda, it’s a hammock-style dog bed, which is elevated off the ground for exceptional ventilation. It’s suitable for indoor or outdoor use, and can be washed easily by wiping it down or spraying it with a hose.
We like that you can personalize your K9 dog bed with vinyl lettering, so it will have your dog’s name on it. K9 dog beds arrive already assembled, so your dog can start napping right out of the box.
Rather than multiple fabric options, the K9 Chew Proof Armored dog beds use a waterproof “ballistic” rip-stop fabric that can hold up to just about anything. We found the build quality and durability equal to the Kuranda, though you have fewer configuration, sizing, and color options.
While the K9 Chew Proof dog bed offers fewer size options overall, we do like that the smaller sizes are closer to the ground than larger sizes, making them a better option for small breed dogs with mobility problems, since they only have to lift themselves 4.5 inches off the ground.
Dimensions: 29 x 18 x 4.5; 35 x 22 x 4.5; 41 x 27 x 6; 47 x 29 x 6; and 50 x 33 x 8 inches | Materials: Aluminum, rip-stop fabric | Colors: Obsidian black, sandstone, blue quartz
Best Budget: Amazon Basics Cooling Elevated Pet Bed
What We Like
- Multiple sizes
- Breathable mesh fabric
- Easy to assemble
What We Don’t Like
- Flimsier frame than premium models
- Some sizes are frequently out of stock
The Amazon Basics Cooling Elevated Dog Bed uses the same hammock design as our favorite durable dog beds, with an elevated frame that creates a ventilated platform for your dog, with a taut top that’s resistant to chewing. Of course, with the lower price comes some sacrifices, including a coated iron frame that’s a little flimsier than our favorites (though it proved more than durable enough for our 75-pound tester dog).
Available in five different sizes, the Amazon Basics Cooling Elevated Dog Bed is a great value, and our tester gave it the highest scores possible in our evaluation. You will have to assemble it yourself though.
Dimensions: 28 x 21 x 7 (x-small); 36 x 22 x 7.5 (small); 43 x 25.6 x 7.5 (medium); 51.3 x 31.5 x 7.7 (large); 60 x 37 x 9 inches (x-large) | Materials: Plastic mesh | Colors: Green, grey
The 10 Best Dog Beds of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best Donut: K9 Ballistics Tough Rip-Stop™ Deep Den Dog Bed
What We Like
- 360-degree bolster
- Non-skid bottom
- Can be machine washed in cold water
- Recycled fill
What We Don’t Like
- Rip-stop fabric isn’t the softest
- Only available in one color
If you are looking for a more traditional rip-proof dog bed, K9 Ballistics’ doughnut-shaped dog bed is perfect for diggers and scratchers, using scratch-proof fabric and a non-skid bottom. The bed is water resistant and is filled with a recycled polyester that’s both comfortable and form-fitting. It has a 360-degree bolster, with a deep interior that encourages your dog to burrow in. The bed fits most wire crates too.
Dimensions: 24 x 20 x 8 inches (small); 30 x 24 x 10 (medium); 36 x 28 x 10 (large); 45 x 38 x 12 inches (x-large) | Materials: Rip-stop fabric, coated bottom fabric, recycled polyester fill | Colors: Pewter Grey
Best Luxury: Orvis RecoveryZone ToughChew Couch Dog Bed
What We Like
- Can be personalized with your dog’s name
- Ripstop fabric cover
- Dual-layer foam with softer top
- Nylon ripstop bottom
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive
The Orvis ToughChew dog bed uses two layers of foam—including a soft, one-inch top layer—for a more cushioned, orthopedic design than hammock-style dog beds. The stuffed, couch-like bolster is more likely to attract chewing than the tauter hammock design, but Orvis compensates with construction designed to withstand abuse. This begins with the ripstop fabric cover, which is made from recycled materials and has a dense microweave that should hold up to substantial abuse.
We tested the Orvis dog bed in a household with two medium-sized dogs—one over 60 pounds. One of the tester dogs regularly dragged the bed from room to room, yet never succeeded in puncturing the fabric cover.
Dimensions: 34.5 x 23 inches (small); 40.5 x 27 (medium); 47 x 31 (large); 53 x 35 inches (x-large) | Materials: Serene foam top layer, dense foam secondary layer, polyester, nylon, brass hardware | Colors: Brown, slate, granite, khaki
Final Verdict
The Kuranda Chewproof Dog Bed is our favorite for tough chewers, because it’s metal-frame hammock design is comfortable and tough. While elevated dog beds with a taut hammock platform are already more resistant to chewing than cushioned equivalents, Kuranda (and our runner-up, the K9 Ballistics Armored Rip-Stop Elevated Dog Bed) also offers ultra-durable fabric.
How To Prevent Problem Chewing
A dog can start chewing for a multitude of reasons, including that they are stressed, anxious, dealing with separation anxiety, or just bored. The best way to get a dog to stop chewing according to Dr. Osborne is to give them enough exercise.
“A well-exercised dog is generally a tired, happy, calm canine who no longer needs to chew to relieve his or her anxiety,” Dr. Osborne told The Spruce Pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are some dogs aggressive chewers?
“Boredom, stress, separation anxiety, and teething puppies are most often tagged as aggressive chewers,” Dr. Osborne told The Spruce Pets. “The act of chewing is soothing for an anxious dog’s emotions. Chewing for a dog is like comfort food for people. It offers an outlet helpful to relieve loneliness and boredom.”
What are the best materials for aggressive chewers?
“Hard materials that won’t break or splinter in your dog’s mouth such as rubber and nylon bones are best for aggressive chewers, Dr. Osborne said.
Dr. Carol Osborne is an author and world-renowned integrative veterinarian of twenty-plus years. After graduating from the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Carol completed a prestigious internship at the Columbus Zoo. Shortly afterward, she launched a very successful private practice and became the founder and director of the non-profit organization, the American Pet Institute. Dr. Carol offers traditional veterinary care for dogs and cats with a softer, natural touch. Her approach highlights the importance of nutrition and utilizing holistic avenues in combination with traditional treatments. Currently, she offers holistic therapies and traditional veterinary medical care for dogs and cats at the Chagrin Falls Pet Clinic in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
