Having a comfy, secure place for your canine friend to call their very own is vitally important.
As owners, we are 100% responsible for our dog’s welfare and wellbeing. Most dogs love to cozy up in their own bed. Somewhere they can feel safe, warm, and have some alone time.
There are many dog beds to choose from these days and some very lucky pooches quite often end up with more than one in the household. Most of us will choose a dog bed based on its visual appeal or the level of comfort we feel it will provide. If you are considering going eco-friendly with your dog your method of choosing a suitable dog bed for your best friend may fit a slightly different criterion. Not all dog beds are made in the same way and learning the difference between one that is safe for the environment and one that is not, is a major step in the right direction towards the eco-friendly life that awaits you.
What is and isn’t an Environmentally Friendly Dog Bed?
In a nutshell, most dog beds are not classed as eco-friendly. They are non-recyclable and are generally made from materials that do not break down well.
Synthetics such as regular Nylon and Polyester are two of the key culprits, which are made from petrochemicals and are non-biodegradable.
Viscose and Cotton processes also put an enormous amount of strain on the environment. In addition, some of these are pretty toxic materials too!
These types of dog beds are usually the ones that look the cosiest and comfiest. They are also the ones that don’t last very long because they have gone flat or smelly and can’t be washed properly. They are generally not very dog owner-friendly at all.
Environmentally friendly materials are those that contribute to green living and practices. They are usually strong, durable, waterproof, and reasonably low maintenance, making life super easy for you. When choosing an environmentally friendly dog bed you should ideally be looking out for some of the following key features and materials:
- Recyclable Plastic Bottles (can be made easily into fabric)
- Polyester Fiberfil’s that are fully recyclable
- Vegetable or Natural Fibres
- Organic Cotton (not regular)
- Material that is free from BPA Free, Latex Free, Lead-Free and Phthalate Free
- Any Non-Toxic Fibres
What are the Benefits of Environmentally Friendly Dog Beds?
Going environmentally friendly with your dog is becoming a popular trend. The more ‘we humans’ learn about the environmental impact we can have on the earth, the more we are able to adapt the way we live in order to address some of those issues. Going eco-friendly with your dog, may not seem like a huge deal, but as the saying goes “every little helps” (thanks for that one Tesco’s!)
By choosing environmentally friendly products for sustainability, you can help reduce an enormous amount of waste and decrease toxic chemicals that pollute our air. This is not only beneficial for the environment but makes you feel great too!
Eco-friendly dog products are not only great for the environment but are usually made from top quality, durable materials that can be purchased at very reasonable prices. Another great benefit for dog owners.
What’s On Offer?
To answer this question, an abundance of eco-friendly dog products are available on the market today. Below we have thoroughly researched some of the best environmentally friendly dog beds available to buy right now, which will hopefully aid you in your search.
Molly Mutt Dog Bed Cover
The Molly Mutt Dog Bed Cover is exactly that, a cover. Usually, dog beds come fully padded and filled out and usually contain fillers that are non-recyclable or biodegradable. However, this product is pretty unique with a great environmental twist!
Empty
Yes, the dog bed comes empty. “Weird” I hear you say. Well not really. This has been designed so you can fill the inside of the bed yourself with old items from home. Just think of all the old jumpers and t-shirts you have lying around that could make a super cozy bed for your pooch. I think cozying up to a jumper filled dog bed is much more appealing than the usual foam bedding options. What do you think?
Easy Clean
Dog beds in general just tend to get a bit gross and need to be cleaned regularly or they will start to fester. The Molly Mutt Dog Bed Cover is a super easy clean option that is 100% machine washable. Hurrah! The duvet cover also arrives pre-shrunk so you haven’t got any worries of it not staying true to its size.
Check out the Molly Mutt Dog Bed Cover – Here
P.L.A.Y Moroccan Lounge Bed
The P.L.A.Y Moroccan Lounge Bed is a snazzy, funky design that is a great addition to any home or office setting. It has a modern, fresh feel that your dog will feel the bee’s knees in.
Planet Fill
The inside of this doggy bed is made with high-loft PlanetFill filler. This type of filler is 100% friendly to the environment and consists of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. The stylish design is soft to touch and the very last thing you think about is recycled bottles!
Variety
We love a bit of variety and this dog bed does not disappoint. It comes in 4 artistic designs/colours, so whether you fancy a bit of ‘tempting teal’ or your home is more ‘Mellow Masala’ this dog bed could be right up your street. The design also comes in a handy 4 different sizes which cater to any size dog.
Checkout the P.L.A.Y Moroccan Lounge Bed – Here
West Paw Design Montana Nap
The West Paw Design Montana Nap Dog Bed is a durable, lightweight mat that has been made in the USA. It comes in an array of colours to suit any doggy taste and can be machine washed for ultimate convenience.
Recycled Plastic
This doggy mat is a great eco-friendly solution for your dog. It has been made with IntelliLoft stuffing that comes from recycled plastic. Plastic isn’t always a big no-no when it comes to eco-friendly dog life, you just have to find a plastic that is safe for the environment which will be fully detailed on the sustainable packaging.
Great for Travelling
Some of us do a fair amount of travelling with our dogs, whether that be a trip to the park, a journey to work, a vets trip for example. The West Paw Design Montana Nap is very versatile. It is a lightweight option that can be fitted easily into crates and the back of cars, making this much more convenient for you as an owner (lots of these types of mats don’t fit well into crates in my experience).
Check out the West Paw Design Montana Nap – Here
Big Shrimpy Original Faux Suede Dog Bed
I don’t know where the name Big Shrimpy came from, but the cool name caught my attention and I decided this was definitely a bed I wanted to know more about. It certainly didn’t dissatisfy.
Recycling Scheme
This brand runs a pretty cool recycling scheme called ‘Full Circle’ which means when the bed comes to the end of its life or you decide you don’t want it anymore you can send it back to Big Shrimpy. They are able to fully recycle the outer fabrics and SmartFill back into a reusable fibre. Pretty cool stuff!
Superior Comfort
Just when you thought you’d heard it all the Big Shrimpy Dog Bed is like the gift that keeps on giving! It’s probably one of the comfiest beds on our list and has been built for comfort in mind. It gives your dog a feeling of security which is most important to our canine friend’s well-being.
Check out the Big Shrimpy Original Faux Suede Dog Bed – Here
Petique Bamboo Orthopedic Memory Foam Pet Bed
The Petique Bamboo Orthopedic Pet Bed is quite possibly the most luxurious bed on our list. It is an orthopaedic eco solution that is therapeutic and provides support to your dog’s joints and well-being. It looks so comfy we can’t help, but give it a try ourselves!
Bamboo
This eco-friendly dog bed is made from all-natural bamboo memory foam. It is hypoallergenic and antibacterial which helps to keep your pet cool and is great for any dogs that suffer from allergies. We can’t help, but love the fact this product is comfortable and supporting whilst still being environmentally friendly.
Orthopedic
Memory foam is great for joint support and the egg crate top layer on this bed gives better weight distribution and air circulation. Joints naturally deteriorate overtime for all living beings and an orthopaedic dog bed could be the answer to protecting your dog’s joints so they stay active for much longer.
Checkout the Petique Bamboo Orthopedic Memory Foam Pet Bed – Here
Majestic Pet Dog Bed
The Majestic Pet Dog Bed is a fantastic option for any canine lover. It’s super cozy and comfy and comes in reasonably large sizes, so it is a great option for bigger dogs. Many colors and style designs are available providing you with the ultimate choice.
Polyester Fiberfill
The material of choice for this environmentally friendly dog bed is Polyester Fiberfill. It’s made with high-quality premium materials that are hypoallergenic, meaning it is a great choice for any pooches suffering from doggy allergies.
Super Value
The Majestic Pet Dog Bed is a winner when it comes to value for money. The product looks expensive and is made with premium materials, but the price for this dog bed is much lower than you would expect to payout. This is absolutely perfect for price-conscious dog owners who are looking for more bounce for the ounce!
Check out the Majestic Pet Dog Bed – Here
Final Thoughts
I’m a bit torn with these. I like them all in their own unique way if I’m honest. The Majestic Pet Dog Bed is without a doubt the best value and provides quality at an affordable cost. I also can’t help but love the idea of the Molly Mutt Dog Bed Cover where you get the opportunity to fill the bed yourself with unwanted items from home, such as jumpers. For me, this would be the one that was mostly homely and dogs love nothing more than to feel comfort at home.
Overall, these were a good selection of dog beds and we can’t see you going wrong with any of them. Just make sure you carefully select the sizing before you purchase, as some beds tend to come up very small which won’t be much fun for your Great Dane!