Heated dog beds are popular because they comfort older, arthritic, short-haired, or small-breed dogs—as well as puppies who miss the extra warmth of littermates they no longer live with. Warming beds can also help support pregnant or nursing moms, dogs recovering from surgery or illness, and recently adopted or rehomed dogs.
Most heated dog beds contain removable, washable covers and pads, convenient for cleaning and warm-weather storage. Many have raised sides for head and neck support or for dogs who like to snuggle or curl up. Orthopedic foam, egg-crate foam, or memory foam supports painful joints. Non-slip undersides help keep beds in place on hard floors.
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| Product and Maker | Size | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| K&H Thermo-Snuggly Sleeper Bed | Small (20.5”x19.5”x6.5”) Medium (30.5”x24.5”x9”) | $53-$70 | Electric bed for indoor use. Small for dogs up to 20 pounds, medium for dogs up to 40 pounds. Suitable for senior, arthritic, or pregnant dogs, newborn puppies, and dogs recovering from illness. Thermostatically controlled, plush polyester fiber, and soft, fluffy bolster construction. MET safety certified. |
| Golopet Heated Orthopedic Sofa Bed | Medium (20”x20”x2”) Large (32”x20”x2”) Extra Large (40”x27”x2”) | $45-$71 | Electric bed for indoor use. Thick memory foam padding with elevated pillow. Bite-resistant cable, thermostat sensor, waterproof surface, machine-washable heating pad. UL certified. |
| K&H Pet Bed Warmer | Small (10.25”x9.25”) Medium (20.5”x6.75”) Large (24.5”x11.75”) Extra Large (26.5”x16.75”) | $30-$45 | Plug-in heating pad for indoor use. Low wattage thermostat-controlled, pre-set temperature (104°F/39°C). On when plugged in. Use in dog bed, not by itself, under at least 1/2 inch of padding. MET safety certified. |
| Golopet Heating Pads | Small (22”x18”) Medium (23”x17”) Large (28”x18”) Extra Large (34”x21”) | $38-$52 | Plug-in heating pad for indoor use. Sold at Chewy and Amazon. Removable soft plush cover. Adjustable thermostat with timer (1 to 24 hours, 80°F-130°F or 26°C-54°C). Waterproof, flame-retardant inner layer, chew-resistant power cord. MET and UL certified. |
| RIOGOO Heating Pad | Small (15.7”x14”) Medium (18”x18”) Large (22”x18”) Extra-Large (28”x18”) XX-Large (32”x20”) | $24-$37 | Plug-in heating pad for indoor use. For senior, arthritic, newborn, pregnant, recovering dogs. Automatic power off, temperature sensor. Machine-washable cover. UL certified. |
| Thermotex Heating Pad | One Size (33”x40”x1.5”) | $224 | Plug-in heating pad for indoor use. FAR infrared pet heating pad for dogs weighing over 24 pounds with muscle pain and stiffness, arthritis, joint pain, and inflammation. MET safety certified. |
| K&H Lectro-Kennel Heating Pad | Medium (16.5”x22.5”) Large (22.5”x28.5”) | $178-$237 | Plug-in heating pad for outdoor use. For kennel, garage, doghouse, basement, porch, etc. Advanced heat dispersion heater, waterproof. MET safety certified. |
| Back on Track Oval Bed | Extra-Small (21”x15”) Small (30”x23”) Medium (34”x23”) Large (39”x27”) Extra-Large (47”x29”) | $49-$81 | Self-warming (non-electrical) beds/liners. Thin, foldable mat for crates, home, car, while traveling, or between training sessions. Welltex technology uses mineral and ceramic infused fabrics to produce FAR infrared warmth to reduce inflammation and speed recovery. |
| Back on Track Oval Bed | Small (23.6”x19.7”) Medium (31.5”x39.4”) Large (39.4”x47.2”) | $69-$169 | Self-warming (non-electrical) beds/liners. Lightweight, padded, for home and car use. Welltex FAR infrared technology. |
| Back on Track Rocky Bed | Small (17.7”x15.7”x6.7”) Medium (21.7”x19.7”x9.1”) Large (25.6”x23.6”x9.1”) Extra-Large (29.5”x27.6”x9.1”) XX-Large (31.5”x33.5”x9.1”) | $129-$176 | Self-warming (non-electrical) beds/liners. Sofa style, brown or grey, washable cover. Therapeutic Welltex FAR infrared technology increases circulation, reduces inflammation, mitigates swelling, and eases muscle tension. All Back On Track products are recommended for injury recovery, senior dogs, and competition dogs. |
| Aspen Self-Warming Round Bed | One Size (19.5”x19.5”x7”) | $20 | Self-warming (non-electrical) beds/liners. Heat-reflecting Mylar layer, comfy faux lambswool, plush sides. Recommended for small dogs (up to 10 pounds). Machine washable. |
| Asupri Sheepskin Pet Mat | Standard (18”x12”) Puppy Rug (18”x12”) | $21-$24 | Self-warming (non-electrical) beds/liners. 100% sheepskin, soft plush rug for crate, bed, sofa, car, indoors or outdoors. Recommended for small to medium dogs. Spot clean or hand-wash with gentle products. Natural fibers trap and retain body heat. |
| K&H Microwaveable Pet Warmer | One Size (9”x9” square) | $50 | Microwavable heating pad. For indoor and outdoor use. Microwave 3 or 4 minutes or until contents become liquid. Stays soft, squishy, and warm for up to 12 hours indoors. Neoprene cover. Suitable for most dogs. |
| SnuggleSafe Microwave Heating Pad | One Size (9” round) | $32 | Microwavable heating pad. For indoor and outdoor use. Nontoxic gel. Suitable for most dogs. Bite-resistant. Holds heat for up to 10 hours. Place under towel, cover, or blanket. Sold at Amazon. |
Types of Heated Dog Beds
Electric (Plug-in) Heated Dog Beds and Pads
Electrically heated dog beds contain a plug-in electric heating pad that is thermostatically controlled so that it gently heats the bed’s surface, usually to the average canine body temperature (102°F or 39°C). In some models, heating is activated only when the dog is lying on the bed. Both indoor and outdoor heated pet beds are available with outdoor or kennel versions protected by waterproof or weatherproof shells and steel-wrapped cords. Most electric heated bed are inexpensive to operate, costing only a few dollars’ worth of electricity per year even when used daily.
Electric heating pads for dogs work similarly. They come in different sizes and are designed to fit in a dog’s bed. Some come with a thick fabric cover that the dog can lie on while others should be placed under at least ½-inch of padding between the warming pad and the dog’s body. Be sure to check if extra padding is needed before setting one up for your dog.
Safety features in today’s electric warming pads and beds include modern thermostats, auto-regulating heat, sturdy chew-resistant materials and power cords, and low-wattage designs. For proof of safety, look for certifications from MET Labs or UL Solutions (Underwriters Laboratories).
NOTE: Electric heating pads designed for humans are NOT recommended for pet use because of the way animals sense and respond to heat. Dogs can overheat without realizing it or without being able to move away from an uncomfortable heat source, especially if they are very young, elderly, injured, sedated, or recovering from surgery or illness. Prolonged contact with temperatures that feel only “warm” to people can cause skin burns in pets with thin hair, shaved areas, poor circulation, or reduced sensation. Human heating pads are designed to reach temperatures much higher than safe-for-pets temperatures and human heating pads are not protected from damage that can be caused by a pet’s chewing or scratching.
Self-Warming Dog Beds
Self-warming beds, also known as reflective or non-electric beds, reflect body heat back to the source so they warm a dog without electric cords or heated pads. Self-warming beds typically use Mylar reflective material like that used in space blankets, ceramic technology, or heat-retaining fabrics such as lambswool, fleece, or microfiber plush. Self-warming beds retain body heat but don’t generate extra warmth, so they are best used in mild climates or for backup warmth. Some are designed to support a dog’s recovery from accidents, illness, or surgery.
Microwavable Heating Pads for Dogs
Microwavable heated pads contain a gel or grain such as wheat that can be warmed in the microwave and then placed inside a bed, crate, carrier, or blanket. This type of heating pad, which radiates warmth for several hours before needing to be reheated, is convenient for travel, whelping boxes, and areas without electrical outlets. Avoid using made-for-humans models that might contain substances that are not safe for dogs.
Do-It-Yourself Options for Heated Dog Beds
If your dog is chilly and you don’t have a heated dog bed or pad, you can provide warmth for your pup with simple household items, such as a sock, small pillowcase, or linen or cotton bag filled with uncooked rice, dried beans, oats, or Epsom salts. Once you’ve filled your ‘bag’, wrap it in breathable natural fabric such as a cotton towel and heat it in the microwave for a minute or two or in an oven set to its lowest temperature for 15 minutes.
The heated pad can go under a thick or folded blanket to spread gentle warmth for several hours. Protect against overheating by checking the heat level with a thermometer. The treated area should not be above 105°F.
You can also fill a hot water bottle with warm water and cover it with a towel or fleece cover before tucking it under a blanket in your dog’s bed. Another simple strategy is to place a fluffy towel or blanket in your clothes dryer to warm it before placing it in your dog’s bed.
