The best bed for a pet owner is one that is easy to clean, hard for claws to damage and set at a height that suits your animal. In practice, that points towards frames with smooth or tightly woven surfaces, such as leather, faux leather, wood, metal or high gloss, and a base that either sits flush to the floor or stands high enough to vacuum underneath. Avoid loose weaves, deep buttoning and fringed details, which trap hair and invite scratching.
Living with dogs and cats does not mean giving up on style. Our range of modern beds UK includes many designs that suit busy, animal filled homes. Below, we look at each decision in turn, with practical advice drawn from everyday life with pets.
Before thinking about materials, consider your own household. Does your dog sleep on the bed, beside it or in another room? Does your cat treat the headboard as a scratching post or a lookout? Do you have a young animal still learning boundaries, or an older one who struggles to jump?
The answers shape what matters most. A household where the dog sleeps on the duvet needs washable bedding and a frame that is easy to climb onto. A home with a curious kitten needs surfaces that resist claws and a base that does not offer hiding spaces. Being honest about your pet’s habits saves frustration later, and it helps when choosing the rest of your bedroom furniture UK sale pieces as well as the bed.
The surface of the frame and headboard does most of the work in a pet friendly bedroom. Here is how the common options compare.
Smooth leather and good quality faux leather are among the easiest finishes for pet owners. Hair does not cling, it wipes off with a damp cloth, and spills or muddy prints clean up quickly. Claws can leave marks, particularly from cats, but light scratches on real leather often soften into the patina over time. Our leather beds UK sale include frames in practical colours such as tan, grey and black.
Metal frames are very durable and almost impossible for pets to damage. They do not hold hair, and a quick wipe keeps them clean. Open designs also let air flow and make vacuuming beneath the bed simple. Our modern metal beds UK range includes both traditional and contemporary styles.
Solid or veneered wooden frames resist hair and are simple to wipe. Softer woods can show tooth marks from a determined puppy, so harder finishes or painted frames may be safer during the chewing phase. High gloss frames are smooth and easy to clean, although they will show paw prints and need a regular polish.
Upholstered beds are not off limits, but the fabric choice matters. Tightly woven materials with a smooth face, such as some performance velvets and microfibres, resist claws and release hair more easily. Loose weaves, bouclé and textured chenille snag readily and hold onto fur. Deep buttoning creates small pockets where hair collects. If you love the look of an upholstered bed, choose a plain panel headboard in a tight weave and a colour close to your pet’s coat.
Bed height matters more for pets than many people realise. A very tall frame with a deep mattress can be difficult for small dogs, elderly animals or those with joint problems to climb onto, and jumping down repeatedly can put strain on their legs.
If your pet shares the bed, a lower frame or a set of pet steps at the side makes access easier. If you would prefer they stayed on the floor, a taller bed discourages casual jumping, particularly for smaller breeds.
Think about your own comfort too. A mid height bed is usually the easiest compromise, comfortable to sit on and not too much of a leap for a healthy dog or cat.
What happens beneath the bed is a key decision in a home with pets.
An open frame on legs leaves space you can see and clean. If there is enough clearance to get a vacuum head underneath, hair and dust are easy to deal with. The downside is that some pets, cats especially, may treat the space as a den, and toys inevitably roll underneath.
A closed base, such as an ottoman or a divan sitting close to the floor, stops pets getting underneath at all. This removes the hiding place and the dust trap in one move. Ottoman beds also add useful storage for spare bedding, which is handy when you are washing covers more often. Just check that your pet is out of the way when you lower the lid.
Frames with a small gap underneath, too low for a vacuum but high enough for hair and toys, are the least practical option. Either go high and open or low and closed.
A young dog going through its chewing stage needs different things from a bed than a calm older cat. For puppies, avoid frames with exposed wooden legs at a tempting height, padded corners and dangling fabric. A metal frame or a closed ottoman base gives them less to chew, and you can always change to a softer look once training is complete.
Older pets often appreciate a lower bed, or a sturdy step placed alongside a standard frame. Watch how your animal approaches the bed: if they hesitate before jumping or land heavily, a lower height will be kinder on their joints.
Homes with several animals tend to benefit most from easy clean surfaces and a closed base, simply because the volume of hair is greater. It also helps to give each pet its own resting spot in the room, so the bed does not become the only place everyone wants to sleep.
Whatever your situation, choose a frame that feels solid when you push against it. Pets jumping on and off a bed put more strain on joints and fixings than people do, and a sturdy frame stays quiet and stable for longer.
A pet on the bed brings hair, dander and the occasional accident. A waterproof, breathable mattress protector is the single most useful purchase. Choose one that is quiet, so it does not crinkle when you move, and washable at a reasonably high temperature.
A washable topper adds a further layer and can be laundered more easily than the mattress itself. Rotating the mattress regularly helps it wear evenly, particularly if your dog always sleeps in the same spot.
Tightly woven cotton such as percale releases hair more readily than brushed cotton or flannel. Linen is durable and washes well, although it can attract hair initially. Avoid delicate silks and loosely knitted throws, which snag on claws.
Many pet owners keep a dedicated washable blanket at the foot of the bed for the animal to sleep on. It protects the duvet and can be washed frequently without stripping the whole bed.
Choosing frame and bedding colours close to your pet’s coat makes daily life easier. Light grey and oatmeal suit pale dogs and cats, while charcoal, chocolate and navy disguise darker fur. Mid tones and subtle patterns are forgiving for animals with mixed coats.
A pet friendly bedroom works best when the animal has its own space. If your dog sleeps on the floor, leave a clear area beside the bed for a basket, away from the door and draughts. Cats appreciate a raised spot, such as a window sill or a low shelf, which may stop them claiming your pillow.
Keep cables out of reach and choose bedside furniture that is stable enough not to tip if a pet jumps against it. Solid, wipeable finishes are the most forgiving choice for bedside tables and chests.
If you share a larger bed with a dog, our guide to king size bed dimensions for UK bedrooms explains how much room the frame takes up and what space to leave around it.
A simple routine makes a big difference. Vacuum around and under the bed weekly, wipe the frame with a damp cloth, wash bedding and pet blankets regularly and air the room each morning. Rubber gloves or a damp sponge are surprisingly effective at lifting hair from fabric headboards.
Brushing your pet outside the bedroom, particularly during moulting seasons, reduces the amount of hair that reaches the bed in the first place. You can browse our collection of practical, stylish beds at Furniture in Fashion.
Smooth leather, faux leather and metal are among the easiest to keep clean, because hair does not cling and marks wipe away. Wood and high gloss are also practical choices.
Not necessarily. Tightly woven fabrics with a smooth face resist claws far better than loose or textured weaves. Avoid deep buttoning and bouclé.
That is a personal choice. If you allow it, use a waterproof mattress protector, washable bedding and a frame height your dog can manage comfortably.
Yes. A closed base prevents pets from hiding underneath and stops hair building up beneath the bed, and the storage is useful for spare bedding.
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