Dog beds come in different shapes and sizes, and it is a great idea to provide a sleeping area for dogs outside. This is a great solution for hot days when they want to snooze in cooler air, or simply for those that prefer the yard. There are lots of elevated dog beds for outdoor use, also known as pet cots. These cots keep the dog off the ground, away from any damp grass and parasites. They should also provide a secure, comfortable raised sleeping area.
Raised Dog Beds That Help Your Pet Relax Safely Outdoors
There are lots of things to look out for with the best outdoor raised dog beds for your pet. The first is the size. As you will see, there are lots of size options and many don’t share the same dimensions. Just make sure that the product is big enough for your pet to get comfortable. Then there is the frame elevating the bed. It should be the right height with a strong construction. Finally there is the material over the frame, which should be durable and breathable. The following products all showcase some of the best outdoor options and features available.
1. AmazonBasics Elevated Cooling Pet Bed
Amazon Basic dog beds always live up their name in terms of the style and look of the product. There really isn’t much to this elevated dog bed beyond the frame and the fabric. Yet, appearances can be deceiving with these Amazon products. The material used is a simple looking green, breathable mesh. This allows dogs to keep nice and cool with the airflow underneath the bed. That fabric is also easy to clean and pretty durable. It doesn’t have the strongest weight allowance out there, however, and can sag with the weight of particularly heavy dogs.
This means that owners need to be careful when picking the right size for their pet. This bed is 7 inches high and comes in a small medium and large. The small is 22 by 21 inches, the medium 30 by 23 inches and the large 38 by 26. This offers some choice for owners of different breeds, but it pays to measure the dog first. Some prefer their dogs to have more room to stretch out. This model is basic and affordable for those that want a simple for moving between locations.
2. K&H Pet Products Original Pet Cot Elevated Pet Bed
This is where we start to see that there is no standardization with the sizes of these outdoor dogs beds. This can be a problem when buying. Don’t assume that a small is suitable for your small breed. Or that a larger breed will fit on a large. Here the small is 22 by 17 inches, the medium 32 by 25 and the large 42 by 30. this means that their small is smaller than that of Amazon, but their large is bigger than the Amazon large. There is the added benefit of an extra size in the x-large at 50 by 32 inches. Again, these beds are raised 7 inches off the ground for plenty of height away from the cold ground.
This model is a little better looking and doesn’t seem quite as cheap. This is clear in the two tone look of the material, as well as the color choices. That material is a 600 denier fabric with good waterproofing in case of rain or accidents. This model also has the added benefit of the non-skid rubber feet. There is the sense that this one may be a little more durable and built to stay in place.
3. Coolaroo Elevated Pet Bed with Knitted Fabric
That Amazon Basic model at the start may not look like much compared to some dog beds. But this Coolaroo model is actually pretty similar, with its curved metal frame and green material covering the middle. It looks similar, but there is a sense from specification that the designers may have gone a little further with their choice of materials. The Amazon Basics option has criticisms about durability. Here there is the promise of the powder coated steal frame for durability for larger pets. There is also a high density polyurethane fabric that is strong, breathable and has addition protection from parasites and mold. This is important when placing this out in the garden.
Again, most of these outdoor models are 7 inches off the ground. As you will see, this is a pretty standard height for these elevated dog beds as it gives enough height from the ground, without asking dogs to jump up too much. There are 4 sizes here with this Coolaroo bed, much like the K&H Pet product. With a small, medium and large. The interesting thing about the extra large is that it is also higher. This isn’t the case with other brands. This one is 59.8 by 37 by 8.85 inches.
4. Koochi Large Elevated Dog & Pet Cot
Size options are important for dog owners that need to find the perfect sized sleeping area for their dog, with the right support. Here there is just the one large model for dog owners struggling to find a large elevated dog bed that suits their needs. This bed measures 43 by 31 inches on the sleeping mat. This means that it is not the largest around, but certainly not small by any means. The height is also fair at 7.9 inches. This make it higher than most of the large beds here, but not as high as Coolaroo’s extra large model.
The makers of this raised dog cot are also proud of the strength of the steel frame and connectors, with promises of durability and strength for a long time to come. There is also strength in the material on the mat. This textiline fabric is waterproof and breathable with protection against mold. The promise is that the strong connections will ensure that the material remains taut and supportive. The last thing that owners, or dogs want is the material sagging to the floor. This defeats the entire purpose of the purchase.
5. Kuranda Chew Proof Outdoor Dog Bed
This final model is interesting because of the focus on the term chew proof. This is something that the makers of the other models may have overlooked. There are gaps between the frames and materials on many of these beds, which can be tempting for chewers. Here the materials is flush with the frame, with no tempting gaps. This provides a taut, chew proof finish and a better look than some other beds. This is enhanced by the color choices of the slate grey against the metalwork, or the dark red.
Another interesting choice here with this raised Kuranda Dog Bed is that this is made from aluminum rather than steel. There are pros and cons here. The pro is that this makes the bed lighter than some of the steel models available. This is ideal for those that want a more portable option for travel. The specification states that it weights just 40oz, so should be easy enough to carry around. The downside is that it might not be a strong and sturdy as the steel option. This large bed also has a decent surface area – again in a different shape. It is 40 by 25 inches, and should suit many large breeds.
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