10 Best Bolster Dog Beds in 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks

Are you tired of sharing your bed or sofa with your dog? Do you need a more comfortable way to transport your pup in your car? Does your dog dislike laying on the floor because it hurts their joints or spine? Dog beds are a worthwhile investment for countless reasons, including the ones we just listed. When it comes to giving your dog the most comfort and orthopedic support possible, bolster dog beds are almost always the best option.

Unlike entirely flat dog beds, bolster beds feature additional cushioning around the edges. This cushioning acts like a pillow for your dog, letting them rest their head and keep their neck in a neutral position.

Dog beds come in all shapes, sizes, and qualities, so buying the first one you come across is rarely a good idea. Instead, we’ve put together reviews of some of the top-selling bolster dog beds currently available. With a little help from us, you’ll soon be on your way to giving your dog a more comfortable life!

A Quick Glance at Our Favorites (2022 Update)

The 10 Best Bolster Dog Beds

1. BarkBox Bolster Dog Bed – Best Overall

Whether you’re looking to provide your dog with some joint pain relief or just want to spoil them with comfort, the BarkBox Bolster Dog Bed is our top pick. This bed is made with therapeutic memory foam, offering plenty of relief for dogs suffering from arthritis and hip or elbow dysplasia. This bolster bed comes in three sizes — 24X16 inches, 29X18 inches, and 35X22 inches — that will accommodate most dogs.

The medium grey color of this bed fits in with almost any home decor, so you won’t need to sacrifice your own style for your dog’s comfort. Plus, the outer cover can be cleaned in any washing machine.

While most dog owners seem to love this bolster bed, there are some reported issues. The most common complaint is that the foam cushion doesn’t return to its original shape after unpacking. Instead, it remains slightly compressed or even has bumps and ridges from the packaging. Also, the cover is not waterproof (or pee-proof).

Bark Box also has a subscription service where you can get awesome dog gear sent directly to you – and right now, you can click here to get a free dog bed when you sign up for the Bark Box subscription! 

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2. MidWest Bolster Dog Bed – Best Value

Despite what you may believe, it’s 100 percent possible to buy a great dog bed without spending a small fortune. If you’re on the hunt for the best bolster dog bed for the money, our top choice is the MidWest Bolster Pet Bed. This attractive dog bed comes in a variety of colors so you can match your existing home decor or dog accessory color scheme. This bed also comes in a large range of sizes, from 18 inches to 54 inches wide.

The soft fleece cover offers plenty of comfort and warmth when your dog needs it most. If you’re looking for a bolster dog bed that is entirely machine-washable and dryer-friendly, then this is a great option. This bed is also designed to fit into most crates.

Keep in mind that the fleece fabric does shed quite a bit, so you may find pieces scattered around your home from time to time. Also, some owners received beds that were smaller than expected.

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3. PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed – Premium Choice

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to stick to a budget. But if you’re willing to spend a little more to get the best bolster dog bed out there, then check out the PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed. It comes in four sizes and three different neutral color options.

This bed features a memory foam base that provides joint pain relief and can even help calm down your anxious dog. The bolsters on this bed use recycled filling to provide added support and comfort. The bottom of this bed features a skid-free texture to keep your dog’s bed in place, while the outer cover can be removed and placed in the wash.

Although this bed is advertised as having a waterproof inner lining, some owners reported issues with this claim. This may not be an issue at first but it can mean the bed is instantly ruined if your dog has an accident. Also, the cover’s zipper is fairly weak and prone to breaking.

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4. Furhaven Bolster Dog Bed

There’s something to be said about a dog bed that offers an option for every possible home decor style. If this concept appeals to you, then the Furhaven Dog Bed might just be the perfect match for your needs. You can purchase this bed in five different sizes and with one of three foam types: cooling gel foam, memory foam, or orthopedic foam. You can even purchase an extra cover if you want a backup or just want to change the bed’s style every once in a while.

As for the exterior cover options, there are over twenty colors and patterns to choose from. While your dog won’t care which one you pick, it’s certainly nice to have so many options! The center of the bed is lined with fleece for additional comfort and warmth. The covers are also machine-washable.

If your dog is a chewer, then this bed is unlikely to stand up to their habits. The quality of the foam inserts could also be better. Some owners reported that the cover fabric falls apart quickly in the wash and shrinks if dried, despite the claims that this product is machine-washable.

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5. BarksBar Bolster Dog Beds

Bolster beds comes in a wide range of styles, from barely-there bolsters to high-edged ones. If your dog prefers the latter, then the BarksBar Bolster Dog Bed is a worthy option. This bed comes in two sizes — 32X22 inches and 40X30 inches — and the larger size can fit dogs over 100 pounds. While the center of the bed is white, the outside features a cross-hatched grey pattern.

While this bed is great for any dog, it’s especially worth checking out if your dog struggles with joint pain or discomfort. The 4-inch-thick foam helps alleviate pressure placed on your dog’s joints and bones. At the same time, the extra-thick bolsters around the edge support your dog’s head, neck, and spine.

Because of the thick bolsters around the edges, the inner dimensions of this bed may be smaller than expected. Some owners were also disappointed with the actual thickness of the foam cushion, reporting that it was thinner than advertised.

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6. Friends Forever Dog Beds

The Friends Forever Dog Bed is designed to keep your dog’s spine in alignment while they nap. This bolster bed comes in four sizes and four neutral color options to match your existing hX50 inches.

This bed uses human-grade foam for its cushion, which ranges from 2.5 to 5 inches thick depending on which size you order. The water-resistant liner can help slow down the absorption of urine and other liquids, but won’t completely stop them from ruining the bed. The cover is machine-washable and features a non-slip bottom.

According to multiple owners, this bed is great at first but doesn’t last long. The zipper is prone to separating from the cover material and the bottom part of the cover is quite thin. There are also reports of this bed producing an unpleasant odor.

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7. Long Rich Reversible Dog-Bed

The Long Rich Reversible Dog Bed offers two different ways to improve your dog’s comfort. This bolster dog bed features a reversible cover with a different fabric material on each side. Depending on your dog’s individual needs, you can select the side that offers the most comfort with ease.

With this bed, you can choose from eight different colors to match your personal style and home decor. The cover can be removed and machine-washed.

This dog bed only comes in one size, 25X21 inches, so it will only fit smaller breeds and puppies. The bed itself is also not very durable and won’t stand up to chewing or digging. The seams are not well-stitched and the outer bolsters offer less support than may be expected.

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8. Majestic Pet Bolster Dog-Beds

If most bolster dog beds just don’t offer enough support for your pup, then check out the Majestic Pet Dog Bed. The giant bolsters on this bed offer the perfect amount of security and support for all dogs, including large breeds. You can choose from four different sizes, up to 52 inches, and seven colors.

This bolster bed has a waterproof base to prevent accidents and spills from reaching your floor or furniture below. The entire bed can be placed in the washer and dryer for easy cleaning. It’s also made in the United States.

While this bed is advertised as fully machine-washable, the padding seems to move around and lump together after several washes. Since the padding is already rather thin, this can shorten the bed’s lifespan considerably. The outer cover material also stains easily and attracts pet fur.

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9. Petsure Bolster Dog Bed

The Petsure Bolster Dog Bed is simple but effective at providing your dog a supportive and comfortable rest. This bed comes in three sizes, with the largest option holding dogs over 100 pounds, and comes in either Grey or Denim Blue. While there are only two color options, these colors will fit into most rooms in your home without issue.

There is a water-resistant liner inside this bed to help slow down spills and accidents and protect the memory foam cushion. The bottom panel is slip-resistant and the center of this bed features a Sherpa lining for optimal comfort.

Sadly, some owners reported that the bed they received was far too thin and did not feature memory foam. This bed also seems to have issues with returning to its original shape after being removed from its packaging. The outer cover is quite easy to rip.

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10. AmazonBasics Pet Sofa Lounger Beds

Last but not least, the AmazonBasics Pet Sofa Lounger Bed offers a simple solution to your dog’s joint and general body aches. This bolster bed comes in a light grey color and three different size options: 25X20.5, 36X29, and 44X35.5 inches. The memory foam insert helps alleviate pressure points while the three-sided bolster offers support without posing an issue for dogs with limited mobility.

This bolster bed includes a water-resistant lining inside to protect the memory foam cushion. The outer cover is removable via zipper and machine-washable.

Based on our research, there are a few drawbacks to this dog bed. First, the cover’s stitching is poor-quality, resulting in tearing even with very little use. Second, the cushion tends to develop uncomfortable lumps that don’t go away over time. Finally, the bolsters aren’t sufficiently cushioned and are prone to sagging.

Related Read: 10 Best Dog Beds – Reviews and Top Picks

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Buyer’s Guide – Picking the Best Bolster Dog Bed

Choosing the right bed for your pup isn’t easy. Yes, you could take your dog to the store and have them try out the selection, but that probably won’t tell you which bed they actually prefer.

Instead, consider these factors when shopping for a new bolster bed for your dog:

Is it easy to clean?

Your dog’s bed will slowly collect dirt, fur, and other debris. However, one of the most common reasons dog owners throw out their pet’s bed is because of an accident.

This is obviously a major concern for young puppies and senior dogs that are losing bladder control. In reality, though, any dog can have an accident in certain situations.

When shopping for a new bed, look for one that has a waterproof lining or that can be entirely machine-washed. Otherwise, you might have to invest in a brand-new bed when your existing one becomes soiled.

Does it offer enough support?

Bolster dog beds are great for pups with joint pain, stiffness, or arthritis. If the cushioning of your dog’s new bed isn’t supportive enough, though, they won’t get to experience any of the benefits.

Not only should the bottom cushion of your dog’s bed be thick and supportive, but you should also check the supportiveness of the bolsters. If the bolsters and under-stuffed or sag, they probably won’t support your dog’s head, neck, and spine.

Is it the right size?

Buying your dog a too-small bed is like forcing a grown man to sleep on a twin mattress. It’s not comfortable and it can even make existing aches and pains worse.

If your dog is full-grown, then you can buy a bed appropriate for their current size. If your dog is still a puppy, however, it’s best to leave some room for growth.

Along with your dog’s actual size, consider whether you want to use their new bed in a crate, car, or other small space. You’ll want to find a happy medium between letting your dog sprawl out and ensuring the bed fits where you need it most.

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Conclusion

Just like you spend time and energy researching the best mattress for yourself, finding the perfect dog bed for your beloved pooch is entirely worth the effort. Yes, you could go to your local pet store and pick up the first bed you see. Or, you could spend a little extra time to get the best bed possible.

If you’re interested in buying a bolster bed for your dog, then the BarkBox Bolster Dog Bed is the best choice. This bed is available in three different sizes so that you can select the perfect size. The memory foam cushion helps alleviate joint pain caused by injury, aging, or arthritis. Plus, the outer cover can be machine-washed.

For dog owners who want to give their dog a good night’s sleep but can’t necessarily afford a premium dog bed, we suggest the MidWest 40236 Bolster Pet Bed. This bed is available in a wide range of colors and sizes. The entire bed can be machine-washed and dried and it’s designed to fit most standard dog crates.

On the other hand, the PetFusion PF-IBL1 Ultimate Dog Bed is our top pick for owners who want the best no matter the cost. Like our other top picks, you can choose from multiple sizes to fit your dog. It features a removable and washable cover with a non-slip bottom. Also, the filling is recycled and eco-friendly.

When buying a new dog bed, the last thing you want is to invest in something your dog doesn’t use or instantly destroys. So instead of crossing your fingers and hoping for the best with a random bed, we hope our reviews will point you in the right direction.