Beds for Pet Owners: What to Look For

Pet owners should look for a bed with a durable, easy to clean frame, upholstery that resists claws and sheds hair easily, a base that stops pets crawling underneath, and a height that suits the animal’s age and size. Metal and solid wood frames handle scratching and chewing well. Tightly woven fabrics and quality faux leather wipe clean more easily than loose weaves and deep piles. If your pet sleeps on the bed, a larger mattress and a washable mattress protector make shared nights far more comfortable.

Living with dogs and cats means accepting some hair and the occasional muddy paw, but the right bed makes daily life much easier. Our modern metal beds UK collection is a sensible place to start for homes with energetic pets, and below we look at every aspect of choosing a bed that copes with four legged companions.

Start With How Your Pet Uses the Bedroom

Before thinking about materials, think about habits. Does your dog sleep on the bed every night, or only when invited? Does your cat treat the headboard as a scratching post? Does a young puppy chew anything within reach? Do pets hide underneath the bed during thunderstorms or fireworks?

The answers shape priorities. A dog that sleeps on the bed affects mattress size and bedding choice more than frame material. A cat that scratches affects upholstery and headboard choice. A pet that hides underneath affects whether you want an open frame, a solid base or drawers. Considering these questions alongside the rest of your modern bedroom furniture UK helps you choose pieces that suit the household rather than fighting it.

Frame Materials That Cope Well With Pets

Metal frames

Metal beds are among the most practical choices for pet owners. Powder coated steel resists scratching, cannot be chewed in the way wood can, and wipes clean with a damp cloth. Hair does not cling to metal the way it clings to fabric. Open metal headboards also give cats nothing soft to sink their claws into, which can discourage scratching altogether.

The main point to check is the finish. A good powder coat or plated finish holds up well, while thin paint can chip if a dog repeatedly jumps against the frame. Look for rounded edges and caps on the feet to protect floors.

Solid wood frames

Solid wood is sturdy and repairable. Scratches can often be sanded and refinished, and a good lacquer or oil finish wipes clean easily. Puppies that chew may target the legs, so a frame with chunky, square legs is less tempting than one with slim turned legs. Darker woods hide minor marks better than very pale finishes.

Upholstered frames

Upholstered beds can work with pets, but fabric choice matters a great deal. We cover that in detail below. If you love the softness of a padded headboard, choose one with a tight, smooth weave and consider a removable or easy to clean cover.

Choosing Upholstery When You Have Pets

If an upholstered bed is the look you want, the fabric is the most important decision.

Tightly woven fabrics are the safest choice. Claws find it harder to catch on a dense weave, and hair sits on the surface where it can be removed with a lint roller or brush. Flat weaves and smooth textures generally perform better than boucle, chunky chenille or open basket weaves, which can snag.

Velvet is better with pets than many people expect, especially short pile and performance velvets. There are no loops for claws to pull, and hair lifts off easily with a damp rubber glove. Velvet does show pressure marks, which some owners do not mind.

Faux leather wipes clean quickly and does not hold hair. It can, however, show scratches and punctures from sharp claws, so it suits calm, older pets better than kittens or young dogs. Our modern leather beds UK range includes finishes with a slightly textured grain, which tends to disguise light marks better than very smooth, glossy surfaces.

Colour also matters. Pick a shade close to your pet’s coat colour. A mid grey or taupe often hides a mix of light and dark hairs well. Very pale and very dark fabrics both show hair clearly.

What Happens Under the Bed

The space under a bed can be a hiding spot, a dust trap and a collection point for pet hair. Each type of base handles this differently.

• Open frames with legs let you vacuum underneath easily and allow pets to rest there. Leave enough clearance for a vacuum head to pass, and check under the bed before moving it.
• Ottoman and drawer beds close off the space completely. That keeps hair and toys out from underneath, and gives useful storage, but pets may slip inside an open ottoman, so always check before lowering the lid.
• Divan style bases sit close to the floor and leave a narrow gap that collects dust. They suit homes where pets never go under the bed.

Anxious animals sometimes take comfort in hiding under a bed. If yours does, an open frame with a little more height gives them a safe spot without getting stuck.

Bed Height and Pet Comfort

Height matters for pets that sleep with you. Small dogs, elderly pets and animals with joint problems can struggle to jump onto a tall bed, and jumping down repeatedly can strain their legs. A lower bed frame, or a set of pet steps beside the bed, helps protect them.

Larger, younger dogs will usually manage any height, but a very tall bed with a thick mattress can still encourage awkward landings. A combined height of around 50 cm to 60 cm is comfortable for most adults and manageable for most medium dogs.

Mattress Size and Protection

If a pet shares the bed, size becomes important quickly. A medium or large dog can take up as much room as a person. Couples who share with a dog often find a double too small and move up to a king or super king, provided the room can take the extra width.

Protect the mattress with a breathable, waterproof protector. It guards against accidents, muddy paws and drool, and can be washed at a high temperature. A second protector means you always have a spare while one is in the wash.

Firmer mattresses tend to cope better with pets than very soft ones, since a heavy dog can create a dip in a soft surface where it sleeps every night.

Bedding That Works With Pets

Bedding takes the most direct wear. Tightly woven cotton, such as percale, releases hair more easily than brushed cotton or flannel. Linen is durable and washes well. Avoid very fluffy throws and quilts with raised textures, which trap hair.

A washable throw at the foot of the bed gives your pet a designated spot and protects the duvet. Wash it weekly and you will notice far less hair spreading across the rest of the bedding.

Floors and Rugs Around the Bed

Hard floors are easy to clean but can be slippery for older pets and noisy as claws click across them. A rug beside the bed gives grip and comfort. Choose a low pile or flatweave rug that you can vacuum easily and, where possible, one that can be spot cleaned. Our modern rugs UK sale collection includes flat and short pile options that suit busy homes with animals.

Everyday Habits That Help

Even the best chosen bed benefits from a few simple routines:

• Brush pets regularly, ideally outside the bedroom, to reduce loose hair.
• Wipe paws at the door after walks, especially on wet days.
• Keep a lint roller or rubber brush in a bedside drawer for quick tidying.
• Vacuum under and around the bed weekly.
• Trim claws regularly, which helps protect upholstery and bedding.
• Give cats an appealing scratching post near the bed, so the headboard is less tempting.

Balancing Style and Practicality

Choosing a bed for a pet friendly home does not mean giving up on style. A slim black metal frame, a warm oak bed or a grey velvet headboard can all look elegant while coping with daily life. The goal is to pick materials that suit your pets’ habits, then let bedding, cushions and lighting bring personality to the room. If sharing with a large dog is pushing you towards a wider frame, our guide to UK king size bed dimensions for frames, mattresses and rooms helps you check whether your bedroom has the space.

When you are ready to choose, our full range of bedroom furniture is available at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What bed frame is best if my cat scratches furniture?

Metal and solid wood frames hold up best. If you prefer upholstery, choose a tightly woven fabric or short pile velvet, which give claws little to catch on.

Is velvet a good choice for pet owners?

Short pile and performance velvets can work well, because they have no loops to snag and hair lifts off easily. They do show pressure marks.

What size bed do I need if my dog sleeps with me?

Couples sharing with a medium or large dog often find a king or super king more comfortable than a double.

How do I protect my mattress from pets?

Use a breathable, waterproof mattress protector and keep a spare. Add a washable throw at the foot of the bed for your pet to lie on.

Should I choose an ottoman bed if I have pets?

Ottoman beds stop pets hiding underneath and keep hair out of the space. Always check inside before closing the lid.