Raised Dog Beds

What is a raised dog bed, and why do owners choose one?

Because the mesh is open and there is space beneath it, air circulates around your dog, which is particularly welcome in warm weather and for thicker-coated breeds. The same gap keeps them off cold, hard or wet floors, and it is genuinely useful in homes with heated floors.

The practical side matters just as much. The coated polyester mesh dries quickly after a muddy walk and wipes or washes clean, so there is no bulky fabric bed to launder. The steel frame is built to last, and when the top eventually wears you replace the mesh rather than the whole bed.

One honest note: a mesh bed is a firm surface. Many dogs settle on it happily, but if yours likes to nest in something soft, plan on adding a topper for cooler days; the options are covered below.

The mesh top and the steel frame

The AK-9's top is a breathable black mesh made from durable, scratch-resistant coated polyester. It is built to withstand claws and daily use, dries fast, and the open weave lets liquid drain straight through.

Underneath is a powder-coated tubular steel frame in battleship grey, chosen for stability and hard wear. The bed arrives as a tool-free flat-pack and goes together in minutes. The frame footprint is a little larger than the bed area, so allow a few extra centimetres in the spot you have in mind.

Which size raised dog bed do I need?

The figures below are the bed area, meaning the mesh your dog actually lies on, and the maximum dog weight for each size.

Exact heights are listed for the smallest and largest sizes; the range runs from 11 cm to 23 cm. As a rough starting point, a Pomeranian or Maltese fits the Extra Small, a Border Terrier or Miniature Schnauzer the Small, a Cocker Spaniel or Beagle the Medium, a Boxer or Husky the Large, and a St Bernard or Irish Wolfhound the Extra Large. These are suggestions worked out from the bed lengths and weight limits, so always measure your own dog.

How to measure your dog

Measure your dog from the nose to the base of the tail while they are lying stretched out, then add roughly 15 to 20 cm so they can sprawl. If your dog likes to curl up you can size closer; if they stretch right out, size up. The bed should let them lie fully on the mesh without any overhang. If they fall between two sizes, choose the larger one. The weight limit is the other check: pick a size whose maximum sits comfortably above your dog's weight; the extra large raised dog bed takes up to 100 kg.

Indoors and outdoors

Indoors, a raised bed earns its keep on hard floors, heated floors and in warm rooms. Its quick-drying mesh and steel frame suit active use outdoors too, in the garden on a warm afternoon or as a dry spot after a walk. Bring it in, or dry it off, after wet weather to protect it long-term. If you are looking for a raised dog bed for outdoor use, think of it as a fair-weather bed rather than one to leave out in the rain.

Toppers, covers and the replacement mesh

The mesh top is designed to be swapped, which keeps the bed going for years. The AK-9 Replacement Mesh Cover is a tough, open-weave polyester top in all five sizes that fits the frame simply and removes for washing. Mesh only; the frame is not included.

For softness and absorbency, the AK-9 Noodle Cover adds thick microfibre noodles on a breathable coated-mesh base. It soaks up water and mud, helps dry your dog, and washes at 30°C. It fits the frame or works on its own as a mat on the floor or in a crate, and an incontinence pad can be slipped between the mesh and the topper for extra protection. For warmth on cooler days, a layer of vet bedding cut to the size of the mesh gives a deep, soft pile that helps retain warmth, lets moisture drain through and washes at 40°C.

Cleaning and care

After a muddy walk, wipe the mesh down or wash it and let it dry; the open weave dries quickly, and there is no fabric bed to launder. The noodle topper goes in the machine at 30°C and can be tumble dried on a low heat. When the mesh shows its age, fit a replacement cover rather than buying a new bed.

Who a raised bed suits

• Large and giant breeds: the Large takes dogs up to 75 kg and the Extra Large up to 100 kg, on a 119 × 74 cm bed area.
• Thick-coated dogs and any dog that feels the heat: airflow underneath helps keep them at a comfortable temperature.
• Active, outdoorsy dogs: mesh that dries fast and wipes clean after wet, muddy walks.
• Homes with hard, cold or heated floors: the bed lifts your dog clear of the floor.
• Older dogs: the mesh suits younger and older pets alike, and a soft topper is easy to add. A raised bed is a step up, so if your dog is stiff or recovering from an operation, ask your vet whether it is a sensible choice.

Start with the AK-9 High Raised Dog Bed, add a topper if your dog likes it softer, and keep a replacement mesh in mind for later. For soft mattresses, see our beds and mattresses range.

Frequently asked questions

What is a raised dog bed?

A raised dog bed, also called an elevated dog bed, lifts your dog off the floor on a frame with a breathable top. The AK-9 High Raised Dog Bed uses a powder-coated tubular steel frame and a scratch-resistant coated polyester mesh, so air circulates underneath your dog and the bed dries quickly and wipes clean. It comes in five sizes, from Extra Small to Extra Large.

Are raised beds good for dogs?

For many dogs, yes. Lifting them off the floor improves airflow, helps keep them cool in warm weather and keeps them off cold, hard or wet floors, which is also useful in homes with heated floors. The mesh is firm rather than plush, so some dogs prefer a soft topper on cooler days. If your dog has a health condition, ask your vet before changing their bed.

What size raised dog bed do I need?

Measure your dog from the nose to the base of the tail while they are lying stretched out, then add roughly 15 to 20 cm so they can sprawl. Size closer for a dog that curls up, and size up for one that stretches right out. Your dog should lie fully on the mesh with no overhang. AK-9 bed areas run from 48 × 31 cm to 119 × 74 cm across five sizes.

What weight can a raised dog bed take?

Each AK-9 size has its own limit: 45 kg for Extra Small and Small, 55 kg for Medium, 75 kg for Large and 100 kg for Extra Large. Choose a size whose maximum sits comfortably above your dog's weight, and check the bed area as well, because a heavy dog still needs enough length to lie flat on the mesh.

Is a raised dog bed suitable outdoors?

The AK-9's quick-drying mesh and steel frame suit active use, so it works well in the garden on a warm day or as a dry spot after a walk. To protect it long-term, bring it in or dry it off after wet weather rather than leaving it out in the rain. Indoors it is just as useful on hard, cold or heated floors.

How do I clean a raised dog bed?

Wipe the mesh down or wash it after muddy walks, then let it dry; the open weave dries quickly and there is no fabric bed to launder. The replacement mesh removes from the frame for washing and refits simply. If you use the AK-9 Noodle Cover, machine wash it at 30°C and tumble dry it on a low heat.

Can I add a soft topper to a raised dog bed?

Yes. The mesh top is replaceable, and the AK-9 frame takes optional toppers sold separately. The Noodle Cover adds thick, ultra-absorbent microfibre noodles on a breathable mesh base and washes at 30°C. For cooler days, a layer of Vetfleece bedding cut to size gives a deep, soft pile that helps retain warmth, lets moisture drain through and washes at 40°C.

Does a raised dog bed need tools to assemble?

No. The AK-9 High Raised Dog Bed is a tool-free flat-pack that assembles in minutes. The powder-coated tubular steel frame goes together by hand, and the mesh top fits simply to the frame and removes again for cleaning, so swapping in a replacement mesh or fitting a topper is just as straightforward.