Best Dog Bed for Small Dogs (2026): Memory Foam, Donut, and Budget Picks
Beds and crates
A small dog needs a bed sized to its body, not a shrunk-down version of a big-dog bed. Here are the memory foam, donut, and budget picks that fit small dogs and wash up after a muddy week.
Our picks
The best dog bed for small dogs is the EHEYCIGA Orthopedic Small Dog Bed when your dog needs support and a washable cover. A small dog does not want a giant bed it can rattle around in. It wants a bed its own size, with sides it can press against and a surface that stays dry. That is the whole difference between a bed a small dog uses and one it ignores.
Pair a bed with the right crate and the rest of the room gets easier. Our best dog crate guide covers sizing, and the best dog bed guide compares the main shapes. If you are shopping for a big dog in the house too, see best dog bed for large dogs. The rest of the rest gear sits in the beds and crates section.
What "small dog" changes about a bed
A small dog sleeps differently from a big one. Many curl into a tight ball, which is why a donut with a raised rim works so well. Others stretch out flat and want a rectangle. The mistake is buying a medium bed and hoping the dog grows into it.
Size is the first thing to get right. A dog under about 11 pounds usually fits a 20-inch round bed. A dog up to 25 pounds fits 23 or 24 inches. If your dog is long from chest to rump, like a dachshund or a corgi mix, a rectangle gives more room to stretch than a round bed.
The second thing is the cover. Small dogs still shed, track in mud, and have the occasional accident. A zip-off cover that machine washes is the difference between a bed you keep and one you throw out. The EHEYCIGA keeps the foam protected with a waterproof liner, so you wash the cover instead of the whole bed.
Best overall: EHEYCIGA Orthopedic Small Dog Bed
The EHEYCIGA Orthopedic Small Dog Bed is the best pick for a small dog that needs support. The 24-inch size suits dogs up to about 25 pounds, with a memory foam top layer over an egg-crate base. That combination spreads weight across the hips instead of letting the dog sink to the floor, which matters for seniors and dogs with stiff joints.
The three-sided bolster gives a small dog a place to rest its head and a wall to press against. The waterproof liner sits between the fleece surface and the foam, so accidents and spilled bowls stay on the cover. The cover unzips and machine washes cold.
Skip it if you want a bed that is ready to use the moment you open the box. This one ships vacuum-sealed and needs about two days to reach full shape. Give it that time before your dog tries it.
Best calming: Bedsure Calming Donut
The Bedsure Calming Donut is the pick for a dog that sleeps curled up. The round shape with a raised rim mimics a den, and small dogs that ball up while they sleep tuck their whole body into the center. The 23-inch size fits dogs up to about 25 pounds.
The faux fur is soft out of the box, and the anti-slip base keeps the bed from sliding when a dog digs at it before settling. Use this as the room bed, not the crate bed, since the tall rim takes up crate floor space.
Choose it over the EHEYCIGA when your dog is a dedicated curler and does not need orthopedic foam. Skip it for a heavy chewer or a dog still working on house training, where a bed that soaks through is a problem.
Best value: WESTERN HOME WH Calming Round
The WESTERN HOME WH Calming Round is the value pick for the smallest dogs. The 20-inch size fits dogs up to about 11 pounds, which covers most toy breeds, and it costs a fraction of the orthopedic bed. The faux fur and circular rim give the same curl-up comfort as the Bedsure for a lot less money.
The whole bed goes in the washer, which is convenient until you have to dry it. Low heat and a good shake bring the fill back. The anti-slip PVC-dot base holds on tile and hardwood.
Buy this when you want an easy, cheap bed for a toy breed or a second bed for another room. Skip it for a dog over about 11 pounds, where the 20-inch size gets tight, and step up to the 23-inch Bedsure instead.
Memory foam, donut, or flat pad?
Memory foam is worth the extra money for a senior dog or one with joint pain. A donut is worth it for a dog that likes to burrow and curl. A flat pad is the right choice inside a crate, where a tall rim just crowds the dog. None of these is a chew-toy substitute, so a determined chewer still needs supervision around any soft bed.
Sizing and placement notes
Measure your dog curled up, then add a few inches. A bed that is too large gives a small dog nothing to brace against, and it ends up sleeping in a corner of it or on the floor beside it.
Put the bed in a low-traffic corner but not in a draft. Small dogs lose body heat faster than big ones, and a bed next to a door that opens all winter is a bed they will avoid. If your dog likes to be near you, a second cheap bed in the room you use most gets more use than one perfect bed across the house.
Wash the cover before the smell sets in, not after. A waterproof liner and a zip-off cover make that a ten-minute job, and a clean bed is a bed your dog keeps using.
Bottom line
Buy the EHEYCIGA Orthopedic Small Dog Bed if your small dog needs joint support and a cover you can wash, and give it two days to expand. Choose the Bedsure Calming Donut if your dog sleeps curled in a ball and you want the den shape. Pick the WESTERN HOME WH Calming Round for a toy breed and a low budget. Match the size to your dog first, and the rest follows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best dog bed for small dogs?
For a small dog that needs joint support, the EHEYCIGA Orthopedic Small Dog Bed is the best starting point, with a memory foam and egg-crate base and a waterproof liner. For a dog that sleeps curled in a ball, the Bedsure Calming Donut fits that habit better. For the smallest dogs and a low budget, the WESTERN HOME WH Calming Round is enough.
Do small dogs need a smaller bed, or can they use a big one?
They need a bed sized to their body. A bed that is far too large gives a small dog nothing to brace against, and many of them pace or sleep in a corner instead of settling in the middle. Measure your dog curled up and add a few inches.
What size bed fits a small dog?
For a dog under about 11 pounds, a 20-inch round bed is usually enough. For a dog up to 25 pounds, look at 23 to 24 inches. A long-bodied small breed, like a dachshund, does better in a rectangle than a round donut.
Is memory foam worth it for a small dog?
It matters most for seniors and dogs with joint pain. The memory foam and egg-crate combo in the EHEYCIGA bed spreads weight and keeps hips off a hard floor. For a young, healthy dog, a cheaper fiber-filled donut is fine.
Are these beds machine washable?
Yes. The EHEYCIGA and Bedsure covers zip off and wash on a gentle cycle, and the WESTERN HOME bed goes in the washer as one piece. Air-dry or tumble on low, and let the cover dry fully before it goes back on the foam.
Why does a new memory foam bed look flat out of the box?
Memory foam beds ship vacuum-sealed and compressed. The EHEYCIGA needed closer to two days to reach full shape, longer than the box suggests. Put it down, give it time, and shake it out before your dog tries it.
Can a small dog bed go in a crate?
A flat mat works better in a crate than a donut with tall sides. If you crate a small dog, measure the crate floor and pick a flat pad, then keep the donut or bolster bed for the room.
How often should I wash a small dog bed?
Every one to two weeks for a dog that sleeps on it nightly, and sooner after a muddy walk or an accident. The waterproof liner on the EHEYCIGA means you wash the cover, not the foam, which is the whole point.