Dog bed covers wear out faster than the bed itself.
Instead of replacing the entire bed, a new cover can make your dog's bed look and smell fresh again. Whether you need a replacement cover for a worn bed or a protective cover to extend bed life, this guide covers all your options.
Quick Picks: Best Dog Bed Covers
| Cover | Type | Best For | Price | Rating | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Barker Replacement Cover | Replacement | Big Barker Beds | $$ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | View Big Barker Replacement Cover |
| Furhaven Replacement Cover | Replacement | Furhaven Beds | $ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | View Furhaven Replacement Cover |
| Waterproof Dog Bed Cover | Protective | Any Bed | $ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | View Waterproof Dog Bed Cover |
| Universal Zippered Cover | Universal | Most Beds | $ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | View Universal Zippered Cover |
| PetFusion Replacement Cover | Replacement | PetFusion Beds | $$ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | View PetFusion Replacement Cover |
Our top pick: Depends on your bed brand. For universal protection, waterproof covers extend any bed's life significantly.
Types of Dog Bed Covers
Replacement Covers
Designed to replace worn original covers on specific bed brands.
Pros:
- Perfect fit for your bed
- Same quality as original
- Extends bed life significantly
- Often cheaper than new bed
Cons:
- Must match your bed brand and size
- Not always available for all beds
- Limited colour and style options
Protective Covers
Additional layer that goes over your existing cover to protect it.
Pros:
- Adds waterproof protection
- Easy to wash frequently
- Protects original cover
- Works on most beds
Cons:
- Adds bulk
- May shift around
- Extra layer to manage
Universal Covers
Generic covers designed to fit various bed sizes and shapes.
Pros:
- Works on multiple beds
- Often more affordable
- Various materials available
- Good backup option
Cons:
- Fit may not be perfect
- Quality varies widely
- May not match bed shape exactly
Best Replacement Covers by Brand
Big Barker Replacement Covers
Big Barker sells replacement covers for all their bed models. Since Big Barker beds last 10+ years but covers wear faster, replacement covers are essential.
Available for:
- Sleek Edition
- Headrest Edition
- Sofa Edition
- All sizes (Large, XL, Giant)
Features:
- Same microfibre material as original
- Machine washable
- Multiple colours
- Perfect fit guaranteed
Price: Around £60 to £100 depending on size
Worth it? Absolutely. A £70 cover extends a £300 bed's life by years.
Furhaven Replacement Covers
Furhaven offers affordable replacement covers for most of their bed styles.
Available for:
- Orthopedic beds
- Bolster beds
- Calming beds
- Most sizes
Features:
- Various fabric options (faux fur, velvet, cooling)
- Machine washable
- Affordable pricing
- Wide size range
Price: Around £15 to £40 depending on size and style
Worth it? Yes, especially at Furhaven's low prices. Cheaper than new bed.
PetFusion Replacement Covers
PetFusion sells replacement covers for their popular bolster beds.
Available for:
- Ultimate Dog Bed
- Various sizes
Features:
- Water resistant material
- Removable and washable
- Matches original quality
Price: Around £40 to £70
Worth it? Good option if your PetFusion foam is still in good shape.
Casper Replacement Covers
Casper offers replacement covers through their website for Casper dog beds.
Features:
- Matches original design
- Machine washable
- Premium materials
Price: Check Casper website for current pricing
Best Protective Covers
Waterproof Mattress Protector Style
Human waterproof mattress protectors work excellently on dog beds.
How to use:
- Measure your dog bed
- Buy mattress protector slightly larger
- Wrap around bed, tuck underneath
- Place regular cover on top
Benefits:
- Very affordable
- Truly waterproof
- Easy to wash
- Protects foam from accidents
Best for: Dogs with incontinence, puppies in training, beds without waterproof liners.
Fitted Dog Bed Covers
Fitted covers with elastic edges designed specifically for dog beds.
Features:
- Elastic edges grip bed
- Various sizes available
- Waterproof options
- Machine washable
Best for: Adding protection layer, frequent washing needs.
Duvet Style Covers
Full covers that encase the entire bed like a duvet cover.
Features:
- Complete protection
- Zippered closure
- Easy removal for washing
- Various materials
Best for: Complete bed protection, beds without removable covers.
How to Choose the Right Cover
For Replacement Covers
Check your bed brand first. Most quality brands sell replacement covers. This is always the best option for fit.
Measure your bed:
- Length and width
- Thickness of foam
- Note any bolsters or special shapes
Match the style:
- Same fabric type if possible
- Consider upgrading (waterproof, cooling)
- Check colour options
For Protective Covers
Consider the purpose:
- Waterproof for accidents
- Hair resistant for heavy shedders
- Cooling for hot dogs
- Durable for diggers
Size appropriately:
- Should fit snugly without bunching
- Slightly larger is better than too small
- Check elastic strength if fitted style
DIY Dog Bed Cover Options
If you cannot find the right cover, DIY is an option:
Simple Pillowcase Method
For rectangular beds without bolsters:
- Buy oversized pillowcase or sew simple envelope cover
- Slide bed inside
- Tuck excess underneath
Fitted Sheet Method
For flat beds:
- Use fitted sheet in appropriate size
- Stretch over bed like mattress
- Tuck excess underneath
Custom Sewing
For perfect fit:
- Measure bed carefully
- Add 2 inches for seams
- Use durable, washable fabric
- Add zipper for easy removal
Extending Cover Life
Washing Tips
Frequency:
- Wash covers every 1 to 2 weeks
- More often for dogs with accidents
- Less often can lead to odour buildup
Method:
- Remove cover from bed
- Shake off loose hair and debris
- Machine wash cold or warm
- Use pet safe detergent
- Tumble dry low or air dry
Avoid:
- Hot water (shrinks many fabrics)
- High heat drying (damages waterproof layers)
- Fabric softener (reduces absorbency)
- Bleach (weakens fabric)
Protection Tips
Use a protective layer:
- Waterproof liner under cover
- Protective cover over original
Manage hair:
- Brush dog regularly
- Use lint roller on cover between washes
- Vacuum cover weekly
Address accidents quickly:
- Blot up liquid immediately
- Use enzyme cleaner
- Wash cover same day if possible
Rotate covers:
- Have two covers per bed
- Rotate while one is washing
- Extends life of both covers
When to Replace vs Recover
Replace the Entire Bed When:
- Foam has flattened and lost support
- Foam has permanent odour even when clean
- Structural damage to bed base
- Mould or mildew in foam
- Bed is very old (budget beds after 2+ years)
Just Replace Cover When:
- Cover is torn, stained, or worn
- Foam is still supportive
- Foam has no permanent odour
- Structure is sound
- High quality bed (Big Barker, etc.)
Covers for Specific Needs
For Incontinence
Best options:
- Waterproof fitted covers
- Washable puppy pads on top
- Waterproof mattress protector underneath
Key features:
- Truly waterproof (not just resistant)
- Machine washable
- Quick drying
- Easy to change frequently
For Heavy Shedders
Best options:
- Tight weave fabrics
- Dark colours (hide hair)
- Easily vacuumed materials
Avoid:
- Fleece and plush (hair sticks)
- Light colours
- Textured fabrics
For Chewers
Best options:
- Ripstop or ballistic fabrics
- Covers without exposed seams
- Tight fitting (nothing to grab)
Consider:
- K9 Ballistics replacement covers
- Addressing underlying chewing cause
For Hot Dogs
Best options:
- Cooling fabric covers
- Breathable mesh materials
- Elevated bed covers (mesh)
Avoid:
- Fleece and plush
- Heavy, insulating fabrics
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any cover on any dog bed?
+How often should I wash dog bed covers?
+Are replacement covers worth buying?
+Can I put a waterproof cover over my regular cover?
+What if my bed brand does not sell replacement covers?
+How do I measure for a replacement cover?
+The Bottom Line
Dog bed covers wear out before the bed itself. Replacing just the cover extends bed life significantly and costs much less than a new bed.
Key points:
Brand specific replacement covers offer the best fit.
Waterproof protective covers add life to any bed.
Universal covers work for simple bed shapes.
Wash covers every 1 to 2 weeks for hygiene.
DIY options exist when commercial covers are not available.
Keep your dog's bed fresh and comfortable with the right cover solution.
Check replacement covers on Amazon
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