Chew resistant dog beds? Are there such things, or is that just a myth? Well whether it is or it isn't, I'm on a mission to find out. Let me tell you, my new dog's a serious chewer!
To give you an idea, in addition to things that were purchased for HIS comfort - like beds, he also chews up patio furniture, fence posts, garbage cans, sprinkler equipment, bricks - yes you read it right bricks, landscaping - especially camellias, just to name a few.
He even thinks chewing up rocks is a blast!
You may be wondering why he is still living here?
Well sometimes so do I, but then he does have this other lovable persona (or is that dogsona?) that appears right about the time I'm ready to lose it. Honestly, no one would believe what a raving lunatic he can be if they saw us out on a walk - he looks like Mr. Perfect. Both adults and children smile at him and the latter asks mommy if they can have one of those, or can I pet him. In other words, he looks like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth and has the angelic face of a puppy.
But, I digress...
Since we've already spent an arm and a leg on shredded dog stuff, I've been on this mission to find chew proof dog beds that really do stand a chance of holding up under a determined chewer! While I realize that the odds of finding a truly indestructible dog bed are slim, I'd still like to find one that comes close.
In the meantime, I've made him a dog bed that he "miraculously" hasn't chewed up - so far! It's a large cushion filled with our DNA - in other words the cushion uses our cut-up discarded clothing (that might otherwise be donated) as the fill. The theory behind this is that dogs can smell your human scent (that's the DNA part) on clothing even after hundreds of washings and this makes for a reassuring cushion upon which they are happier to sleep.
Anyway, even though the homemade pillow has been holding up rather well, I'm continuing the search for chew resistant beds to find one for my dog's main sleeping quarters. And let me tell you, it's been quite the task!
Side Note: Do you have any idea how many hundreds - take that back, thousands, of dog beds there are out there to wade through? I'm a runner and I think I'd rather run a marathon that repeat this filtering process again :)
But, I'd have to say that the time taken to weed out the losers has been worthwhile and I hope my results will end up helping you avoid spending money on the wrong bed.
Another Note: Price of the dog bed wasn't a deal breaker in this process (unless it was way out of line) because I feel if the bed lives up to it's promises, then you have received good value for money spent.
Although there are quite a few well made dog beds available that are described as chewproof or indestructible, I was determined to narrow it down to no more than two serious contenders that would not only meet the main criteria, but maybe have a bit of style as well! After all my dog's quite a handsome dude and I want him to have a bed to be proud of. I'm sure you feel the same way about your dog.
So here are my findings and what I discovered about the following beds:
Kuranda Dog Bed Review
The Kuranda Dog Bed is not only a chew resistant dog bed, but when used outdoors, it is also resistant to any adverse effects from weather conditions.
With an extremely rugged poly resin frame which encompasses two kinds of plastic, this elevated chew proof bed provides stable support for dogs of all sizes and is in fact recommended by vets for its orthopedic benefits.
The outer layer of the frame is not only resistant to UV rays and chemicals, but also has an attractive finish comparable to indoor furniture. An alternate very
contemporary aluminum frame is also available.Four "tough" fabrics choices are available in different colors, plus a selection of bed sizes.
Warranty
One significant benefit that got my attention about the Kuranda bed is the one year warranty. Yes, one year! And that includes not only the cover fabrics but also the structural parts. (see footnote)
How can a company offer this kind of warranty you may ask? My conclusion is that the only way a company can offer this kind of warranty is if they are very confident in the design and durability of their product.
I could find no other chew resistant beds that came with this kind of backup.
Design Features
A design feature that I like about the Kuranda Chewproof Dog Bed
is that the cover is fully protected within the framework. What this means is that there are no open spots for a pet to grab the fabric with his teeth and pull the cover off. This is a real plus if you have a pet like mine that will always be able to find a weak spot if one exists!Also noteworthy: this bed doesn't need, or have a mattress, making one less target for a dedicated chewer that might be able to access it and end up with a bad case of dog-indigestion.
Moreover, the absence of a mattress eliminates the potential for allergic reactions to mattress fibers that can cause itchy skin conditions in certain pets.
From a comfort standpoint, it elevates pets off of cold surfaces indoors and away from bugs,dirt and dampness outdoors.
Bottom line: In my opinion, this is one bed to try if you've about given up on finding one that your pet can't demolish.
About Quality And Performance
It seems evident to me that the manufacturer has hit a home run with this dog bed. The number of high customer satisfaction reports is compelling evidence that the Kuranda lives up to its chew resistant claims and is of good quality and long-lasting design.
In fact, I came across many references of the Kuranda beds lasting for years!
What About Cleaning?
The chew and scratch resistant fabrics of this dog bed are either Cordura nylon, ballistic nylon or a heavy duty vinyl. The two nylon based materials are specially treated to resist staining making them easier to keep clean. As for the vinyl it's a breeze to wipe clean with a damp cloth. Alternatively the Kuranda beds can be hosed off.
This dog bed also has another advantage when it comes to housekeeping: because of the Kuranda's elevated design, many vacuum cleaners are able to go underneath the bed so its not necessary to keep moving it out of the way as you clean. And, if you happen to have a robotic vacuum cleaner
, then you're home free. It will traverse your home 24/7 picking up dirt, dust and hidden furballs without your having to raise a finger :)) As a reference, the standard Kuranda bed height is either six or nine inches depending on the size of the bed you order.
About Durability
The long lasting nature of the fabric has been proven not only by the users of this company's dog bed, but by other manufacturers making products with similar materials, that rely on tough non-tearing fabrics for safety reasons.
Here's something else to consider: the resistance to chewing means less bed replacement which means more dollars in the pocket for Rover's other needs - like chew-resistant toys!
About Comfort
From my findings, customers have reported overwhelmingly that their pets found this particular elevated bed comfortable.
What's more, feedback from owners of pets with arthritic issues indicates that they were noticeably more comfortable on the Kuranda bed. The reason being that the stability of the cover is more supportive of their joints compared to some of the pillow beds that have a tendency to flatten out over time.
Pros - Is this bed right for your dog?
Here's a recap of the key features to consider:
- One year warranty on 40-oz solid vinyl, Cordura nylon and Ballistic nylon fabric covers, plus the frame
- Easy to clean
- Chew resistant and tear resistant
- Tough durable fabric covers in a wide choice of colors
- Attractive minimalist design
- Elevates pet from cold floors, hard floors and/or wet surfaces outside
- Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use
- Comfortable and stable support for all pets
- Helpful to pets with arthritis, joint problems or incontinence
- Available to fit pets of all sizes.
- Easy assembly
- Could be used as a litter to carry an ailing pet to a vehicle
Footnote: (Vinyl weave is the only fabric choice not included in the warranty)
Cons
Some owners
- found the fabric a bit noisy when pets moved around on the bed
- had an issue with storage
Ratings
As of this date, there are 84 customer reviews on Amazon resulting in an average rating of 4.6.
Price
Based on my findings, the Kuranda chew resistant dog bed lives up to its claims. That, combined with the one-year guarantee, puts it at a bargain price in my view.
Find the current price here:
K9 Ballistics Original TUFF Bed Review
The K9 Ballistics Original TUFF Bed has been designed from the get go to be a chew resistant bed. For this reason, its first line of defense - the cover - is made from a tough hypoallergenic ripstop fabric that the manufacturer also indicates will hold up well under scratching. The dog bed shown here which can be used indoors or out, is a basic rectangular pillow that includes an inner mattress filled with high loft, recycled, polyester fiber. The fill is distributed into chambers to prevent it from shifting or getting lumpy, thereby providing longer term comfort.
Additional styles include the K9 Ballistics Round TUFF Dog Bed
and the K9 Ballistics Orthopedic Tuff Dog Bed
. Sizes are available to fit all pets. K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Dog Bed Warranty
Whereas the K9 bed is very durable, if you do have a problem, the manufacturer will provide one replacement bed cover under the warranty if your dog does manage to chew up the cover of the Original Tuff Bed during the first ninety days. If you've spent a fortune on dog beds that get annihilated in short order, this may be both your dog's saving grace and a saving of dollars for you! For the majority of dogs that are bed destroyers, this one will give them a challenge that may even be sufficient for them to give up trying!
Performance - Does This Bed Live Up To It's Claims?
Based on my research including the opinions of actual users, this dog bed does live up to its "TUFFness" when challenged by dogs that are persistent chewers. While no dog bed is completely indestructible, the ripstop fabric makes this a mighty strong bed!
Consider this: Ripstop fabric is used in products that count on strength and safety such as parachutes, boat sails, hot air balloons and certain types of protective clothing. A unique weaving process is used whereby reinforcement threads are incorporated into the fabric making it very resistant to tearing.
This will give you some idea of why dog beds made with ripstop are virtually chew resistant.
About Cleaning
Dog owners who have busy schedules and less time for pet maintenance will be pleased to know that users find this dog bed easy to keep clean.
To begin with, the fabric itself is already resistant to dirt and odors, mold and mildew, but when it does need a light cleaning it can simply be wiped off. When a more thorough cleaning is called for, it can be tossed into the washing machine and then air dried. Air-drying is recommended to extend the life of the fabric.
The interior mattress is also washable, but since it is well-protected by the outer cover, this should not be necessary very often.
Will The K9 Ballistics work for your dog?
The K9 Ballistics Dog Bed
is definitely worth putting to the test if you've already been through some other beds that didn't survive. Needless-to-say, with a determined chewer, either the bed or the dog is going to win, but you'll more than likely find that out during the 90-day warranty period. If and when you might have to request a new cover, the dog may have outgrown his desire to destroy it.
Our dog's a chewer and a digger. Outdoors that means major excavations, inside it's scratching (digging) at carpets and chewing area rugs, etc. The manufacturer does indicate that the K9 bed's fabric makes it resistant to both chewing and scratching, which is worth noting. Furthermore, those areas of the bed that are generally more vulnerable to chewing, such as corners, are reinforced with an extra layer of ballistic material; while seams are double stitched and serged.
What this product can do for you
Save your sanity. Reduce your dog bed expenses. Make your pets happier - they don't really want to sleep on the floor and don't realize until bedtime that they've destroyed their bed! Now don't you let them get on your bed!!
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy to clean cover and interior mattress
- Durable, tough fabric in a choice of colors or design
- Extra reinforced seams and corners
- Cushy interior mattress designed to prevent clumping
- Velcro closure as opposed to zipper
- Comes in sizes to fit small dogs and all the way up to a 150 lb dog.
I did verify the XXL size with the company as I had noticed on Amazon that the numbers seemed to be reversed. The correct size is W40" x L68".
Cons
Very aggressive chewers might be able to inflict some damage to this bed, or be able to separate the velcro closure to get at the interior mattress.
Fabric is considered noisy by some customers
Ratings
Overall consumer ratings are very positive. On Amazon,
this product has 82 customer ratings as of this date, resulting in an average rating of 4.4.Price
From my observations, price did not influence buyers of the K9 dog bed and this is likely due to the apparent high quality of the product.
Find the current price here:
Do you have other dogs that don't chew up their beds?
If you do, you may want to take a look at a variety of unique dog beds here.
