A dog bed fails in two places, and only one of them is the foam. Covers absorb everything, dirt, hair, damp paws, the occasional accident, and they wear out or stain long before the cushion underneath loses its support. A replacement cover costs a fraction of a new bed, which makes this the cheapest way to extend something you already own. Our guide to choosing a dog bed covers the bed itself.
Quick Verdict
A machine washable zip-off cover is the baseline requirement, and a second one means the bed stays usable on wash day. Waterproof liners matter more than waterproof covers, since the liner protects the foam and the cover takes the wear.
Key Takeaways
- Covers wear out long before the foam does.
- A washable cover is worth more than a stain-resistant one.
- A blanket on top absorbs wear the cover would otherwise take.
- Waterproof liners protect the foam; covers protect the liner.
- Replacement covers are model-specific, so check before assuming.
How We Picked
Covers are grouped by what they protect against, since a cover chosen for washing convenience is a different product from one chosen for accidents. Fit is weighted heavily, because a cover that does not match the cushion bunches and slides regardless of its material.
Selections reflect construction, closure type, and care instructions. Descriptions come from product research except where personal use is stated directly.
1. A Machine Washable Zip-Off Cover, Best Overall
Why It Stands Out
A full-length zip means the cover comes off in one piece and goes back on without a fight, which is what decides whether it actually gets washed regularly.
Machine washable and dryer safe together matter more than fabric quality here, since a cover that needs air drying takes the bed out of use for a day.
Worth Knowing
Zips fail before fabric does on cheaper covers, and a broken zip ends the cover. Look for a zip that runs along two sides rather than one, which reduces strain.
Check the dryer instruction rather than assuming. Some covers shrink slightly on heat and no longer fit the cushion properly. Our note on cleaning a dog bed covers the routine.
This suits every household. Skip it only if your bed has no removable cover at all.
Check Price on Amazon2. A Waterproof Liner, Best Foam Protection
Why It Stands Out
A liner between the cover and the foam stops anything reaching the cushion, which is the part that cannot be washed. Once liquid gets into foam it stays there.
Liners also last longer than covers because they are protected by the cover above them.
Worth Knowing
Waterproof membranes reduce breathability, so a bed with a liner sleeps slightly warmer. In a hot climate that is worth weighing.
Cheap liners crinkle audibly, which some dogs dislike enough to avoid the bed. Our roundup of waterproof dog beds covers built-in versions.
This suits puppies, seniors, and any dog with accidents. Skip it in a very warm room if accidents are not an issue.
Check Price on Amazon3. A Second Matching Cover, Best Practical Upgrade
Why It Stands Out
Owning two covers means the bed is never out of service, which in practice means it gets washed more often rather than left because washing is inconvenient.
It is also the cheapest thing on this list that changes behavior rather than just adding a product.
Worth Knowing
Replacement covers are usually model-specific, and manufacturers stop stocking them for discontinued beds. Buying the spare early is more reliable than buying it when the first one fails.
Generic covers rarely fit properly, and a loose cover bunches under a dog. Our roundup of washable dog beds covers beds designed around this.
This suits anyone who washes regularly. Skip it if your bed is an unusual size with no spares available.
Check Price on Amazon4. A Chew-Resistant Cover, Best for Destructive Dogs
Why It Stands Out
Tightly woven ballistic-style fabrics resist teeth and claws far better than plush, which matters for a dog that digs at the bed before settling.
A tougher cover also protects the foam from being opened up, which is where a chewed bed becomes a swallowing hazard.
Worth Knowing
Chew resistant is not chew proof, and no fabric survives a determined dog left alone with it indefinitely.
These fabrics are also less soft, so some dogs prefer sleeping elsewhere. Our roundup of chew-proof dog beds covers the whole-bed approach.
This suits diggers and chewers. Skip it for a dog that just sleeps.
Check Price on Amazon5. A Cooling Cover, Best for Hot Climates
Why It Stands Out
Cooling fabrics and gel-infused covers move heat away from a dog lying still, which matters on a bed that sits in a warm room through summer.
Swapping the cover is cheaper than buying a separate summer bed.
Worth Knowing
Cooling covers work by conducting heat away rather than actively chilling, so the effect is modest and fades as the fabric warms.
Many are not dryer safe, which is a real inconvenience on something washed monthly. Our roundup of cooling mats covers the alternatives.
This suits hot rooms and summer. Skip it if the bed lives somewhere cool.
Check Price on Amazon6. A Blanket Over the Bed, Best Cheap Layer
Why It Stands Out
A blanket laid over the bed takes most of the wear, and washing a blanket is far easier than wrestling a cover on and off a cushion.
It also means the cover underneath needs washing less often, which extends its life without buying anything specialized.
Worth Knowing
Blankets shift as a dog turns, so they need straightening rather than staying put. That is the trade for how easy they are to wash.
Loose blankets are also not suitable for dogs that chew fabric or burrow aggressively. Our note on whether dogs need a blanket on their bed covers the comfort side.
This suits most beds as an easy addition. Skip it for a fabric chewer.
Check Price on AmazonCover Types at a Glance
| Type | Protects against | Washing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zip-off washable | Dirt and hair | Machine, often dryer | Every household |
| Waterproof liner | Liquid reaching foam | Wipe or machine | Accidents |
| Second cover | Downtime | Same as first | Frequent washing |
| Chew resistant | Teeth and claws | Machine | Diggers |
| Cooling | Heat build-up | Often no dryer | Warm rooms |
| Blanket on top | General wear | Easiest | Almost any bed |
How I Handle Mine
My dog’s bed is plush foam with a removable cover, and I keep a blanket over the top of it. The blanket takes most of the wear, which means the cover itself needs washing less often than it otherwise would.
I aim to wash it about once a month. The cover goes in the washer and the dryer with no problems, and I had not even realized covers could shrink or stop fitting until I looked into it, which suggests I have been lucky rather than careful.
The blanket layer is the part I would recommend to anyone. It costs nothing if you already own a spare blanket, it is far easier to throw in a wash than a fitted cover, and it means the thing that actually needs unzipping and refitting comes off less often.
Worth being clear on the limits. I have one bed with one cover and one dog, no accidents to speak of, so I cannot tell you how waterproof liners perform or how a chew-resistant fabric holds up. Those sections are research rather than experience.
What to Look For in a Cover
Is it machine washable and dryer safe?
Both matter. A cover that needs air drying takes the bed out of use for a day, which is how monthly washing quietly becomes quarterly.
How does it close?
A zip running along two sides is easier to refit than one along a single edge, and it puts less strain on the zip itself. Zips are what fail first.
Is there a liner underneath?
The cover protects the liner and the liner protects the foam. Without one, anything getting through the cover reaches a cushion that cannot be washed.
Can you get a spare?
Replacement covers are model-specific and get discontinued. If the bed is one you want to keep for years, buying the second cover early is the reliable move.
Cover or Blanket?
Use both
They do different jobs. The cover is the fitted layer protecting the cushion, and the blanket is the sacrificial layer protecting the cover. Together they mean less frequent wrestling with zips.
If you only do one
The cover, since a bed with no removable cover cannot be cleaned properly at all. A blanket is an addition rather than a substitute. Our roundup of plush dog beds covers what sits underneath.
Common Cover Mistakes to Avoid
Washing the cover and not the blanket
If a blanket is doing the work, it needs washing more often than the cover does, not less.
Assuming a waterproof cover protects the foam
Water finds the zip. A liner underneath is what actually keeps the cushion dry, and a waterproof cover on its own is less reliable than it sounds.
Buying a generic replacement
Covers are cut to specific cushions. A near-fit bunches under the dog and slides, which is worse than a worn cover that fits.
Leaving it until the cover fails
Manufacturers stop stocking covers for discontinued beds, so the spare is easiest to buy while the bed is current. Our note on how often to replace a dog bed covers when the cushion itself is done.
Recommended Reading
See our roundup of beds for small dogs, our note on orthopedic and standard beds, our crate bed picks, and a guide to outdoor dog beds.
Dog Bed Cover FAQ
How often should I wash a dog bed cover?
Monthly suits most households, more often for a dog that goes outside in wet weather or sheds heavily. Keeping a blanket over the bed reduces how often the cover itself needs doing, since the blanket takes most of the wear and is far easier to wash.
Can dog bed covers go in the dryer?
Many can and some cannot, so check the label rather than assuming. Covers that shrink on heat stop fitting the cushion properly afterward, and a cover that needs air drying takes the bed out of use for a day.
Do I need a waterproof liner?
If accidents are a possibility, yes, since foam cannot be washed and anything that soaks in stays there. The liner sits under the cover and does the actual protecting. Without accidents it is optional, and it does reduce breathability slightly.
Where do I buy a replacement cover?
From the bed’s manufacturer where possible, since covers are cut to specific cushions and generic ones rarely fit well. Availability drops once a bed is discontinued, which is a reason to buy a spare while the model is current.
Is a blanket enough on its own?
Not really. A blanket protects the cover and shifts as the dog moves, so it does not keep the cushion clean by itself. It works best as an easy-to-wash layer over a proper fitted cover rather than instead of one.
What if my bed has no removable cover?
Then it cannot be cleaned properly, which is a genuine argument for replacing it. In the meantime, a washable blanket over the top and spot cleaning are the available options.
Will a chew-resistant cover stop my dog destroying the bed?
It resists rather than prevents, and no fabric survives a determined dog left alone with it. It buys time and protects the foam from being opened up, which matters because loose stuffing is a swallowing hazard.
Do cooling covers actually work?
They conduct heat away from a dog lying still, which produces a modest effect that fades as the fabric warms. Useful in a hot room and not a substitute for shade, airflow, or water. Many are not dryer safe, which is worth knowing before buying.
