Vet Bedding & Vet Beds

What is vet bedding, and why do vets and breeders use it?

Vet bedding is a 100% polyester fleece with a dense, deep pile on top and a woven backing underneath. Vet bed, veterinary bedding, veterinary fleece and vet fleece are all names for the same thing, and people often write vet bed as one word; Vetfleece is our brand of it. It is used in veterinary practices, and ours is made to the same exacting standards as medical equipment: non-allergenic, non-toxic and non-irritant, and it does not harbour bacterial growth.

The pile holds warmth, so a pet resting on it stays cosy, and liquid passes down through the fleece rather than sitting against the animal, so the surface stays drier. That is why breeders trust it for whelping, why kennels, catteries and groomers use it as standard bedding, and why vets use it for sick and recuperating animals. The thick pile also lets a dog scratch, dig and nest before settling, and veterinary bedding for dogs works as well at home as in the surgery.

Veterinary grade: pile depth and weight

Standard Vetfleece has a 25–28mm deep pile at 1200gsm, which gives it the plush, cushioned feel that holds heat and supports joints. Our Original Heavy Duty Greenback Fleece is deeper and heavier, with a 32–35mm pile at 1500gsm, and is made to the standards required by the NHS. Its extra depth and weight suit kennels, catteries and professional breeders.

Greenback or non-slip rubber backing?

Greenback vet bed

The double-woven green backing is tough and tightly knit, which helps stop the fleece being chewed, and it is designed to let fluids pass straight through. We recommend it for whelping and for sick or incontinent animals: lay it over an absorbent inco pad and liquid drains into the pad while the pup or patient rests on a dry surface. The Original Greenback Fleece and the Original Heavy Duty Greenback Fleece are both greenbacks. A green backing alone is not proof of genuine Vetfleece; look for our logo on the sewn-on washing label.

Non-slip vet bed

Non-slip Vetfleece has a rubber backing that grips wooden, tiled and laminate floors and stays put inside crates, carriers and car boots, so it does not bunch or slide as your pet settles. That stability matters for nervous, older or unsteady dogs. The trade-off is that the rubber will not let all the liquid pass through, and it should not be washed above 40°C. Our Non-Slip Multi Paw Vetfleece and Non-Slip Camouflage Vetfleece are the non-slip options.

How vet bedding drains and washes

Polyester is liquid repellent, so Vetfleece does not absorb liquid or the dyes in it and will not stain. Every piece comes with a sewn-on washing label. We recommend washing greenback fleece at 40°C; it can handle up to the autoclavable standard of 120°C used in veterinary practices to kill bacteria, but washing that hot all the time will shorten its life. Non-slip fleece should be washed at 40°C or below, because hotter washes can make the backing deteriorate. Do not bleach, iron or dry clean.

Vetfleece is quick drying. Tumble dry on low heat or air dry; the Heavy Duty Greenback is washed on a wool cycle and tumble dried cool. It will not moult, and slight edge fraying in the first couple of washes is normal. Washing it inside our Vetfleece Laundry Wash Bag keeps loose hair and fibres out of your machine's filter and pump.

Sizes, rolls and cutting to size

Each of the four fleeces comes in the same 21 ready-cut sizes, from a 15in x 12in (37cm x 30cm) cage liner up to the 118in x 30in (300cm x 75cm) roll, with larger pieces and bespoke shapes on request. If you cut your own pieces, see our vet bed rolls. We supply full rolls too, but lengths vary, so ring the sales office on 01262 606100 and we will check the roll before quoting. Kennels, rescues and retailers can apply for a trade account.

To cut a piece down, measure the inside base of the crate, bed or carrier, choose the nearest size up, mark your line on the backing with a marker pen and ruler, and cut. A Stanley knife along the ruler gives the cleanest edge, because scissors can cut through the pile and leave it tapered; either way, the fleece will not fray.

Which size vet bed do I need?

Crate floors vary between makers, so the crate measurements below are typical: measure the inside of your own crate, choose the size that matches or is slightly larger, and trim to fit.

All 21 sizes, 100 x 75cm and 150 x 100cm included, are listed on each of the four fleeces, so choose the size first, then the backing and colour.

Colours and patterns

The greenbacks come in plain colours, the non-slip fleeces in paw prints and camouflage. Grey, charcoal, brown and white are on both greenbacks, and the Heavy Duty adds blue and green; a red vet bed or a pink one comes in the paw-print or camouflage patterns. Each colour below opens the product with that colour selected.

Camouflage is a natural pattern, so each piece varies slightly.

Where a vet bed earns its keep

Crates, kennels, carriers and cars

Cut to the crate base, Vetfleece turns a bare tray into a warm, dry, washable vet mat, and the tough backing helps prevent chewing. Non-slip fleece stays in place in a carrier or car boot.

Senior and arthritic dogs, and pets recovering from treatment

The dense pile cushions sore joints and reduces pressure on the limbs, moisture wicks away so the dog stays dry and warm, and the non-slip version reduces the risk of slips on hard floors. For a dog with a diagnosed condition, follow your vet's advice on bedding and care.

Vet bed for puppies and whelping

A vet bed for puppies is where many breeders start. In the whelping box, fluids drain down through the fleece into the pad beneath, so the newborn litter lies dry and warm, and the deep pile gives small paws something to grip as they push towards mum.

For the box itself, choose a greenback: its woven backing lets liquid pass straight through to the pad, it can be washed hotter than a non-slip fleece, and there is no rubber backing for pups to chew. Lay a washable Inconti-Pet pad on the floor of the box and the Original Greenback Fleece on top. Our cardboard whelping box comes in 24in, 36in and 48in squares, with fleece and pads to match. The KozeePet puppy heat pad holds a regulated 38°C and warms one part of the box, so the pups can move off it. Our whelping kit gathers the lot on one page. As the puppies grow, non-slip fleece in the pen or crate gives young legs a stable footing.

Vet bedding for cats, rabbits and small pets

Vetfleece is a vet-grade cage liner as well as a dog bed, and it suits cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals. The two smallest cuts, 15in x 12in and 18in x 15in, line a cat carrier, hutch or small cage as they are, and any size can be cut to fit. The fleece is non-allergenic, non-toxic and non-irritant, liquid drains through it so the animal rests on a drier surface, and it will not stain. Wash it at 40°C when it needs it; it dries quickly, so a rabbit vet bed is not out of use for long.

Compare the four Vetfleece fleeces

How to choose

• Whelping, incontinence or recovery, where fluids must drain through: a greenback, with an inco pad underneath.
• Hard floors, crates, carriers and cars, where the bed must stay put: a non-slip fleece.
• Kennels, catteries, determined chewers or high-temperature washing: the Heavy Duty Greenback.
• Not sure of the size: measure the base, go one size up and cut it down.

Made in our mill in Bridlington, Yorkshire

We are a third-generation, family-run business, and every piece of Vetfleece is made in our own purpose-built textile mill in Bridlington, on the Yorkshire coast, as it has been for over 35 years, so it is the vet bedding UK kennels and breeders can buy straight from the mill. Because the fleece is built to survive wash after wash, year after year, it is replaced far less often. Orders placed before 2pm are dispatched the same day, with free UK delivery.

Frequently asked questions

What is vet bedding?

Vet bedding, also called vet bed, veterinary bedding or veterinary fleece, is a deep-pile 100% polyester fleece with a woven backing. The pile holds warmth while liquid drains down through it, so a pet rests on a drier, warmer surface. It is used in veterinary practices, whelping boxes, kennels and catteries, and at home for dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs. Vetfleece is our brand of it, made in our own mill in Bridlington, Yorkshire for over 35 years.

How do I wash vet bedding, and at what temperature?

Every piece of Vetfleece has a sewn-on washing label. Wash greenback fleece at 40°C for everyday care. It can be autoclaved or washed at 120°C, the standard used in veterinary practices to kill bacteria, but washing that hot all the time shortens its life. The Heavy Duty Greenback goes on a wool cycle. Non-slip fleece should be washed at 40°C or below, because hotter washes make the rubber backing deteriorate. Do not bleach, iron or dry clean, and a laundry bag keeps loose fibres out of your machine.

Can vet bed be tumble dried?

Yes, on a low or cool setting. The care label says tumble dry on low heat, and our Heavy Duty Greenback is washed on a wool cycle and tumble dried cool. Vetfleece is quick drying, so air drying works well too. It keeps its pile after washing and will not moult, though slight fraying at the edges is normal for the first couple of washes and then stops. Do not iron it, and do not tumble non-slip fleece on a hot setting.

Is vet bed safe for puppies?

Yes. Vetfleece is non-allergenic, non-toxic and non-irritant, and its tough, tightly knit backing helps stop puppies chewing and eating it. Breeders use greenback fleece over an absorbent pad in the whelping box because fluids drain through and the newborn litter stays dry, warm and safe, and a greenback has no rubber backing for pups to chew. Some determined chewers will try to eat almost anything, so supervise a known chewer, and if a pet swallows any fleece, seek veterinary advice straight away.

Should I choose greenback or non-slip vet bedding?

Choose greenback when liquid needs to drain straight through, for whelping, incontinent pets or recovery, and lay an absorbent pad underneath. Its double-woven backing is designed to let fluids pass through and helps prevent chewing, and it can be washed at 120°C when you need to. Choose non-slip when the bed must stay put on wooden, tiled or laminate floors, in crates, carriers or the car. The rubber backing grips well but will not let all the liquid pass through, and it washes at 40°C or below.

What sizes does vet bedding come in, and can I buy it by the roll?

Each Vetfleece fleece comes in the same 21 ready-cut sizes, from 15in x 12in (37cm x 30cm) up to a 118in x 30in (300cm x 75cm) roll, and larger pieces or bespoke shapes are available by phone or email. Our <a href="https://vetfleece.com/product-category/vetfleece/vet-bed-rolls/">vet bed rolls</a> suit kennels, breeders and rescues who cut their own pieces. We supply full rolls too, but roll lengths vary, so please ring the sales office on 01262 606100 and we will check the roll before quoting.

What size vet bed do I need for a crate?

Measure the inside floor of the crate, choose the size that matches or is slightly larger, and trim to fit. Typical crate floors: 24in is about 61 x 46cm, so use the 24in x 18in fleece; 30in is about 76 x 48cm, trim the 30in x 20in; 36in is about 91 x 58cm, the 36in x 24in; 42in is about 107 x 71cm, the 42in x 28in; 48in is about 122 x 76cm, the 48in x 30in. Crate floors vary between makers, so measure your own.

Does vet bedding drain, and will it stain?

It drains, and it will not stain. Liquid passes down through the pile rather than sitting against your pet, and greenback fleece lets it through to an absorbent pad underneath. Vetfleece is 100% polyester, which is liquid repellent, so it does not absorb liquid or any dyes in it. It should not pick up new smells either, and any slight smell from manufacturing fades and is not toxic.

Is vet bedding good for rabbits and guinea pigs?

Yes. Vetfleece is a vet-grade fleece cage liner that suits rabbits, guinea pigs, cats and other small animals as well as dogs, and it is non-allergenic, non-toxic and non-irritant. The 15in x 12in and 18in x 15in sizes line a hutch or carrier as they are, or cut a larger piece to the base of the hutch or cage. Wash it at 40°C when it needs it. Because liquid drains through and the fleece will not stain, it stays easy to keep clean.

Does vet bed keep dogs cool in summer?

No, and we would rather say so. Vet bedding is designed to hold warmth: the deep pile traps heat, which is what puppies, older dogs and poorly animals need. The pile is breathable, so air circulates through it, but it is a warm bed. For hot weather the cooler choice is one of our <a href="https://vetfleece.com/product-category/raised-dog-beds/">raised dog beds</a>, which lift your dog off the floor. Keep the Vetfleece for the colder months, the crate and the car.

How long does vet bed last?

Vetfleece can last for many years when cared for correctly, and it is designed to be washed as many times as you need. We cannot give an exact lifespan, because it depends on how often the fleece is used and washed, at what temperature, how heavily it is soiled and whether your pet scratches or chews it. Washing greenback fleece at 120°C all the time does shorten its life, so keep everyday washes at 40°C and save the hot wash for when you need to kill bacteria.

How do I cut vet bed to size?

Measure the inside base of the crate, bed or carrier first and choose the nearest size up, so you can trim it to fit exactly. Mark your line on the backing with a marker pen and ruler, then cut. Sharp scissors work, and a Stanley knife along the ruler gives the cleanest edge, because scissors can cut through the pile and leave it tapered. The fleece will not fray either way. Our YouTube page has a demonstration video.