Pet Bed Sizes: Dog and Cat Bed Dimensions by Weight and Sleeping Style
Bed sizes for dogs and cats, matched to weight and to the way the animal actually sleeps. Rectangular, round and crate beds, how thick the cushion should be, and how to measure so the bed is not too small.
A medium dog bed is about 30 × 20 to 36 × 23 in (76 × 51 to 91 × 58 cm) for dogs of about 25–50 lb. Small beds are about 24 × 18 in (61 × 46 cm) for dogs under 25 lb, large beds about 42 × 28 in (107 × 71 cm) for 50–90 lb, and XL beds 48 × 30 in (122 × 76 cm) or more. Cat beds are usually 16–20 in (41–51 cm) across. Measure your pet stretched out and add 6–12 in (15–30 cm).
- Small dog bed
- 24 × 18 in (61 × 46 cm)
- Large dog bed
- 42 × 28 in (107 × 71 cm)
- Cat bed
- 16–20 in (41–51 cm)
- Add to pet length
- 6–12 in (15–30 cm)
On this page
Dog bed size chart
Bed sizes are not standardized, but most makers cut rectangular beds and crate pads close to the standard crate lengths below. The measurements are the sleeping surface; beds with raised sides (bolsters) are 4–8 in (10–20 cm) larger on the outside.
| Size | Bed (in) | Bed (cm) | Dog weight | Example breeds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 18–22 × 12–15 | 46–56 × 30–38 | Up to 10 lb (4.5 kg) | Chihuahua, Pomeranian |
| Small | 24 × 18 | 61 × 46 | 10–25 lb (4.5–11 kg) | Pug, Shih Tzu, Jack Russell terrier |
| Medium | 30 × 20 to 36 × 23 | 76 × 51 to 91 × 58 | 25–50 lb (11–23 kg) | Beagle, cocker spaniel, border collie |
| Large | 42 × 28 | 107 × 71 | 50–90 lb (23–41 kg) | Labrador, golden retriever, boxer |
| XL | 48 × 30 | 122 × 76 | 90–110 lb (41–50 kg) | German shepherd, Rottweiler |
| XXL / giant | 54 × 36 or larger | 137 × 91 or larger | 110 lb (50 kg) and up | Great Dane, Newfoundland, mastiff |
Weight is a shortcut. Two 60 lb dogs can need different beds: a compact bulldog curls into a 36 in bed, while a greyhound of the same weight stretches past 40 in. Measure if the dog is long, leggy or likes to sprawl.
How to measure your dog for a bed
- Watch how the dog sleeps. Curled up, stretched on its side, or flat on its back with legs out. The stretched position is the one to size for if the dog uses it at all.
- Measure the sleeping dog from the nose to the base of the tail (or to the farthest paw, if legs stick out). For a curled sleeper, measure the diameter of the curl.
- Add 6–12 in (15–30 cm). Use 6 in for small dogs and up to 12 in for large ones. That is the minimum length of the sleeping surface.
- Check the width: the bed should be at least as wide as the dog's height at the shoulder, so it can lie on its side without legs hanging off.
Example: a dog measuring 34 in nose to tail base while stretched needs a bed at least 40–46 in long, so a 42 × 28 in large bed or a 48 × 30 in XL bed.
Round and bolster beds
Round, donut and nest beds are sized by outside diameter. Because the raised rim takes 3–6 in (8–15 cm) on each side, the flat sleeping area is much smaller than the label.
| Diameter | Diameter (cm) | Sleeping area | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20–23 in | 51–58 cm | About 12–15 in (30–38 cm) | Cats, toy dogs up to about 12 lb |
| 30 in | 76 cm | About 20 in (51 cm) | Dogs up to about 25 lb that curl up |
| 36 in | 91 cm | About 25 in (64 cm) | Curled dogs up to about 45 lb |
| 45 in | 114 cm | About 33 in (84 cm) | Curled dogs up to about 100 lb |
Dogs that stretch out on their side do not fit a round bed of the size their weight suggests. For them, choose a rectangular bed, or a bolster bed with the raised edge on only three sides.
Crate pads and crate beds
Pads made for crates are about 1 in (2.5 cm) shorter and narrower than the crate, so they lie flat on the pan. Measure the inside of your crate if you are unsure of its model; see the dog crate size chart for the outside sizes.
| Crate | Typical pad (in) | Typical pad (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 24 in | 23 × 17 | 58 × 43 |
| 30 in | 29 × 18 | 74 × 46 |
| 36 in | 35 × 22 | 89 × 56 |
| 42 in | 41 × 27 | 104 × 69 |
| 48 in | 47 × 29 | 119 × 74 |
Plastic travel kennels have rounded floors that are smaller than their label length by 3–4 in. A flat pad for a 28 in kennel is closer to 24 × 18 in. For the kennels themselves, see pet carrier sizes.
Cat bed sizes
An adult domestic cat is about 18 in (46 cm) from nose to tail base and curls into a circle about 12–14 in (30–36 cm) across. That is why most cat beds are small.
- Round and donut beds: 16–20 in (41–51 cm) across for average cats, 22–24 in (56–61 cm) for Maine Coons, Ragdolls and other large breeds.
- Cave and hooded beds: usually 15–18 in (38–46 cm) wide and 12–16 in (30–41 cm) tall, with an entrance about 7–9 in (18–23 cm) across.
- Window perches: commonly 20–24 in long and 11–14 in deep (51–61 × 28–36 cm). Check the weight rating against your cat, and fit suction-cup models only to clean, smooth glass.
- Radiator beds: about 18 × 12 in (46 × 30 cm), hooked over the top of a panel radiator.
Many cats prefer a raised spot to a floor bed. The perches on a cat tree double as beds, so check their platform sizes before buying a separate bed.
Thickness, height and materials
- Foam depth: 2–3 in (5–7.5 cm) for small dogs and cats, 4 in (10 cm) for dogs over about 50 lb, and 4–7 in (10–18 cm) of firm memory or orthopedic foam for giant breeds and older dogs.
- Raised cot beds stand about 7–9 in (18–23 cm) off the floor. They stay cooler and drier outdoors, but a dog with sore joints may struggle to step up.
- Low-entry beds: for seniors, keep the step-in height under about 4 in (10 cm) on at least one side.
- Covers: on XL and giant beds, check that the removable cover will fit your washer drum before you buy; the foam core itself usually cannot be machine washed.
A large dog bed takes about as much floor as a small rug, so plan the spot as you would furniture; the rug size guide helps with layouts. Human bedding sizes for comparison are in the mattress size chart, and the pillow size guide covers the floor cushions some owners use as small pet beds.
Frequently asked questions
What size bed does a labrador need?
A large bed of about 42 × 28 in (107 × 71 cm) suits most labradors, which weigh 55–80 lb. A dog that sleeps fully stretched or a big male may need an XL bed of about 48 × 30 in (122 × 76 cm). Choose foam at least 4 in (10 cm) thick.
What size bed for a 50 lb dog?
Usually a 36 × 23 in (91 × 58 cm) medium-large bed for a curled sleeper, or a 42 × 28 in (107 × 71 cm) large bed for a dog that stretches out. Measure the dog lying on its side and add 6–12 in to the length.
How big should a cat bed be?
For an average 8–10 lb (3.5–4.5 kg) cat, 16–20 in (41–51 cm) across. Cats like to curl against a raised rim, so a bed that is slightly snug is usually used more than a large flat one. Large breeds such as Maine Coons need 22–24 in (56–61 cm).
Are dog bed sizes the same as crate sizes?
Crate pads are, and they are made about 1 in smaller than the crate's length and width: a 36 in crate takes a pad of about 35 × 22 in. Freestanding beds with bolsters are larger on the outside than the sleeping area and will not fit in the matching crate.
How thick should a dog bed be?
About 2–3 in (5–7.5 cm) of foam is enough for small dogs, 4 in (10 cm) for dogs over about 50 lb and 4–7 in (10–18 cm) of firm foam for giant and older dogs with joint problems. If you can feel the floor when you press your knee into the bed, it is too thin for a heavy dog.