Raised Dog Beds: Dog Cot Size & Buying Guide | Bossy Cat

Raised dog beds: is a dog cot right for your dog, and what size do you need?

A raised dog bed looks like a camp bed for dogs: a tight fabric deck stretched across a metal frame, lifted a few centimetres off the floor. They're also called dog cots or elevated dog beds, and they've become one of the most searched-for types of dog bed.

They're not for every dog, though. This guide covers who they suit, how to get the size right, and how to use one indoors, outdoors and through a British winter. Most of the cots in our dog beds range are made by PawHut, so the sizes below come from their listings.

Is a raised dog bed right for your dog?

A dog cot suits dogs that...	Think twice if your dog...
Sprawl out flat to sleep	Curls up tight and likes to lean on a side
Get warm easily and pant on soft beds	Gets cold quickly and loves to burrow
Spend time in the garden, patio or conservatory	Struggles to step up onto things
Come home muddy or wet from walks	Chews fabric when bored
Travel or go camping with you	Needs a bed for a crate (a flat pad fits better)

If your dog is a curler or a leaner, a padded dog sofa with a backrest will suit them better. We cover those at the end.

What size dog cot do I need?

Measure your dog lying stretched out on their side, from nose to the base of the tail. Then add 15 to 20cm so paws and tail don't hang over the edge.

Our raised cots come in four lengths, so the maths is simple:

Cot length	Fits a dog whose stretched-out length is up to
61cm	about 45cm
76cm	about 60cm
92cm	about 75cm
122cm	about 105cm

If your dog falls between two sizes, go up. A cot that's slightly too big costs you a little floor space. One that's too small means your dog sleeps half on the floor anyway.

Check the maximum weight on the product page as well as the length, especially for heavier breeds.

Why do raised dog beds stay cooler?

The deck is a single layer of breathable mesh or tough fabric such as 600D Oxford, with air moving underneath. There's no thick foam to hold body heat, so dogs that run warm on a cushion bed tend to settle better on a cot. That's why many of our cots are listed as cooling beds.

Can you use a raised dog bed in winter?

Yes, with one change. The same airflow that keeps a cot cool in summer means it won't hold warmth in January. Lay a fleece blanket or a thin washable mat on top, and your dog gets the benefit of being off a cold tiled or laminate floor without losing the cosy layer.

For outdoor cots, the collection guidance is to bring them in or store them during heavy rain and over winter. Use the indoor months to give the frame a wipe and check the fabric is still taut.

Canopy, folding or large-dog cot: which type?

Canopy cots (61, 76, 92 and 122cm) have a shade canopy with UV protection on top. They're made for the garden, the patio or a sunny conservatory, where your dog wants shade without going indoors.
Folding travel cots pack down into a carry bag. The PawHut portable cot measures 64 x 46 x 18cm (L x W x H), which suits a car boot, a caravan or a weekend away.
Cots for large dogs have a heavier frame and non-slip feet or pads, so they don't skid on hard floors when a big dog jumps on.
Steel-frame canopy beds with water-resistant mesh sit between the two: sturdy enough for the garden, light enough to move.

Are raised dog beds easy to clean?

They're the easiest dog beds to keep clean. Mud, sand and hair sit on top of the fabric rather than working into foam, so most of it brushes or wipes off. The fabric dries quickly too, which matters when your dog comes in wet from a walk.

Give the frame joints a check every few months and tighten anything that's worked loose.

Raised cot or padded dog sofa?

	Raised dog cot	Padded dog sofa
Sleeping style	Sprawlers	Curlers and leaners
Feel	Firm, springy, cool	Soft, cushioned, warm
Best spot	Garden, conservatory, hard floors, travel	Living room, bedroom
Cleaning	Wipe or brush down	Removable cushions on many models
Example	92cm canopy cot	PawHut large dog sofa with water-resistant fabric and wooden legs

Plenty of homes end up with one of each: a cot by the back door and a sofa bed in the lounge.

If your dog is older or less steady on their feet, check they can step on and off a cot comfortably. For anything related to your dog's health, ask your vet, and see Defra's Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs on giving dogs a comfortable place to rest.

Raised dog beds at a glance

Measure your dog stretched out and add 15 to 20cm. Pick a canopy cot for the garden, a folding cot for travel and a non-slip cot for big dogs on hard floors. Add a blanket in winter, and bring outdoor cots in when the weather turns.

Tags: Buying guide, Dog beds, Dog supplies

Frequently asked questions

Are raised dog beds good for dogs?

For dogs that sprawl out and run warm, yes. A raised dog bed lifts your dog off the floor on a taut mesh or 600D Oxford fabric deck with air moving underneath, so it stays cooler than a foam bed. Dogs that curl up tight or like to lean on something settle better on a padded dog sofa with a backrest.

What size raised dog bed do I need?

Measure your dog stretched out from nose to the base of the tail and add 15 to 20cm. On that basis, our 61cm dog cot fits dogs up to about 45cm long, the 76cm up to about 60cm, the 92cm up to about 75cm and the 122cm up to about 105cm. Between sizes, go up, and check the weight limit too.

Can a dog cot be used in winter?

It can, with a blanket on top. A dog cot's airflow keeps it cool, so in winter lay a fleece or thin washable mat over the deck. Your dog still stays off a cold tiled or laminate floor. Outdoor cots should come inside during heavy rain and over winter to keep the frame and fabric in good condition.

Can raised dog beds go outside?

Yes, most are made for it. Our canopy cots in 61, 76, 92 and 122cm have a UV protection canopy for shade on the patio or in the garden, and several raised dog beds use water-resistant mesh on a steel frame. Bring them in during heavy rain and over winter, and they'll last longer.

Do raised dog beds fold up for travel?

Some do. Our folding travel cots pack into a carry bag, and the PawHut portable raised dog bed measures 64 x 46 x 18cm, which fits in most car boots. That makes it handy for camping, caravans and staying with family, so your dog has its own familiar bed wherever you go.

How do I clean a raised dog bed?

Brush off hair and dried mud, then wipe the fabric down. Mud and hair sit on top of a raised dog bed rather than working into foam, and the fabric dries quickly after a wet walk. Every few months, check the frame joints and tighten anything that has worked loose so the deck stays taut.

Will a raised dog bed slide on hard floors?

Not if it has grip on the feet. Our cooling elevated dog bed for large dogs has non-slip feet, which stop it skidding on laminate or tiles when a heavier dog jumps on. For smaller cots, a rubber-backed mat underneath does the same job, and it helps protect the floor too.

Can I buy raised dog beds from Bossy Cat?

Yes. Our dog beds range includes canopy cots in 61, 76, 92 and 122cm, folding travel cots with carry bags and cots for large dogs with non-slip feet, mostly from PawHut. Delivery is free on all orders to UK mainland addresses and arrives in 3-5 working days, with no hidden fees. If you change your mind, you can return your order, but the return postage is paid by you.