Pet owners should look for a bunk bed with a hard wearing frame that will not snag claws, a ladder that a dog or cat cannot easily climb, guard rails high enough to keep curious animals off the top bunk, and a bottom bunk at a sensible height for older or smaller pets who like to jump up. Easy to clean surfaces and washable bedding matter too, because pet hair and muddy paws are part of daily life. Get those points right and a bunk bed can sit comfortably in a busy household with animals.<\/p>\n
It is easy to choose a bunk bed with only the people in mind, but cats and dogs share bedrooms too. Many sleep on or beside a child’s bed, and some will treat a new frame as climbing equipment within minutes of it being built. Thinking about them at the planning stage saves frustration later. Here is how we would approach it when browsing our bunk beds UK<\/a> collection.<\/p>\n The frame is the part of the bed your pet will touch most, whether that is a cat sharpening claws on a post or a dog leaning against the side rail. Some materials cope far better than others.<\/p>\n Metal frames<\/strong> are the most resistant to scratching. Claws slide off powder coated steel, and the surface is quick to wipe clean. They also give cats very little grip, which can discourage climbing.<\/p>\n Solid wood frames<\/strong> are durable and can be lightly sanded or touched up if they pick up marks. Harder timbers and painted finishes generally hold up better than soft, unfinished pine, which shows scratches easily.<\/p>\n Upholstered frames<\/strong> are the most vulnerable. Fabric headboards and padded sides look inviting to a cat looking for a scratching post, and they hold onto hair. If you love the softness of upholstery, keep it for an adult bedroom where pets are less likely to roam.<\/p>\n The same logic applies to the rest of the room. Hard wearing modern bedroom furniture UK sale<\/a> pieces with wipe clean finishes, such as painted or lacquered drawers, cope with nose prints and paw marks far better than delicate veneers.<\/p>\n A top bunk is an exciting place for a cat and, for some energetic dogs, a challenge worth attempting. Neither is safe. A dog jumping down from the top bunk can injure itself, and a cat sleeping there can be startled by a child climbing up in the dark.<\/p>\n Straight vertical ladders with narrow rungs are harder for dogs to climb than angled ladders or staircase designs with wide treads. Staircase bunk beds are easier for young children, but they also make the top bunk easy for pets to reach. If you have a dog that likes to follow its people everywhere, a vertical ladder is usually the better choice.<\/p>\n Cats are a different matter, as they can reach most places they want to. The best approach is to make the top bunk less interesting. Keep it clear of soft toys and loose blankets during the day, and offer a more appealing perch elsewhere in the room, such as a window shelf or the top of a low chest of drawers.<\/p>\n Guard rails protect the person on the top bunk, but they also stop pets from slipping off if they do get up there. Look for continuous rails on all open sides, with gaps narrow enough that a small cat or puppy cannot squeeze through.<\/p>\n Always follow the manufacturer’s maximum mattress depth for the top bunk. A thicker mattress raises the sleeping surface and reduces the height of the rail above it, which makes the bed less safe for children and animals alike.<\/p>\n For many pet owners, the bottom bunk is where the dog or cat really sleeps. Its height matters more than people expect.<\/p>\n Older dogs and those with joint problems often struggle to jump onto higher beds. A bottom bunk that sits relatively low to the floor is easier for them, and safer if they jump down in the night. If your dog sleeps on the floor instead, a low bottom bunk can reduce the urge to try jumping up at all.<\/p>\n Under bed storage drawers also affect the height. They raise the bottom bunk a little and close off the space underneath, which some owners like because it stops pets hiding under the bed and stops dust and hair from collecting where you cannot reach.<\/p>\n If the bunk bed has an open base, the floor beneath the bottom bunk will become a favourite hiding spot for many cats and some dogs. That is not a problem in itself, but it does mean regular vacuuming, and you may want to check under there before lowering anything heavy or pulling out a trundle.<\/p>\n A bunk bed with storage drawers or a solid plinth avoids the issue. A trundle bed is a useful extra sleeping space for visitors, but make sure pets are clear of it before sliding it back in.<\/p>\n Pet hair, muddy paws and the occasional accident are realistic considerations. Bedding should be easy to remove and machine washable. Cotton and cotton blends release hair in the wash more easily than fleece and some synthetic fabrics, which tend to hold onto it.<\/p>\n A mattress with a removable cover is worth looking for, and a breathable waterproof protector adds a further layer of defence without making the bed feel noisy or warm. When comparing modern mattresses UK<\/a> options for a bunk frame, check the depth first, then the cover.<\/p>\n A throw folded at the foot of the bottom bunk gives a pet a dedicated spot that can be washed often, which keeps the rest of the bedding cleaner.<\/p>\n The floor around a bunk bed sees a lot of traffic: feet stepping down from the ladder, pets jumping off the bottom bunk and toys being dragged about. A low pile or flat weave rug is easier to vacuum than a deep shaggy one, and it gives paws more grip than a bare wooden floor. Our range of modern rugs UK<\/a> includes designs that sit well in busy family bedrooms and are easier to keep looking fresh.<\/p>\nChoose a frame material that stands up to claws<\/h3>\n
Think about the ladder from a pet’s point of view<\/h3>\n
Check the guard rails<\/h3>\n
Get the bottom bunk height right<\/h3>\n
Keep the space underneath in mind<\/h3>\n
Choose bedding and mattresses that wash well<\/h3>\n
Plan the floor and the rest of the room<\/h3>\n