Ruggable’s new washable pet bed is my dog’s favorite space in my house
The pet bed stands up to my picky dog’s preferences and withstood her muddy paws and heavy chewing.
Ruggable created its first pet bed that mimics the design of its well-known washable rugs in that each bed comes in two pieces: a small memory foam mattress that sits at the center and a cushioned outer layer with raised edges (known as a bolster) that fits snugly around it. Each piece has a water-resistant, zippered, removable cover that you can throw in the washing machine so you can clean individual parts as they get dirty or wash the whole thing at once.
The bed comes in three sizes depending on your dog’s weight:
The outer layer is made from a woven fabric with a boucle texture, giving it a thick, coarse feel and the inner memory foam cushion cover is made from a soft Sherpa material. You can purchase the bed in 14 colors, including nine solid colors (like olive green, taupe and cream) and five patterns (like multicolor, flannel and checkered).
Though I used the bed for my pup, it is not limited to dogs — you can use this pet bed for cats, too.
Bella weighs 15 pounds, so I opted for the small bed, which was the perfect size for her. She immediately took to the bed (which Ruggable sent me as a sample) and has used it every day for over a month. During that time, I observed how many times Bella slept and laid in the bed throughout the day (she sleeps in my bed at night), the different positions she would sleep in, how often she chewed it and whether she would take treats or toys there (meaning she feels comfortable and safe). I also have the Furbo pet camera, so I could monitor how Bella engaged with the bed even while I wasn’t home.
I also needed to assemble and clean the bed, paying particular attention to how easy and replicable these two tasks were. To clean the bed, I used the brand’s recommendations: I removed the cushion inserts and closed all the zippers, I machine-washed the covers in cold water using only detergent (no fabric softener or bleach) and tumble dried them on low heat.
Overall, I was impressed by how comfortable my dog felt on this bed, how easy it is to clean and how it held up to Bella’s heavy chewing. It’s every picky pup parent’s dream: By the end of the month, I could tell this was Bella’s favorite bed she’s had so far.
Furniture and upholstery are some of the first things to get dirty when you have a dog at home, and that includes their own beds. Many beds Bella’s had in the past aren’t machine-washable — and since I take her on consistent walks around New York City and make regular visits to the dog park, they quickly become covered in dirt and grime.
The machine-washable covers on this Ruggable bed, however, have been a game-changer for me; they’re easy to remove from their cushion inserts — in fact, the rectangular bolster cover unzips all the way around, so I don’t have to struggle while squeezing it out. I noticed dirt stains came out entirely after washing, making the bed look brand new (which is a relief since the cream color shows any and all spots). Plus, since I can tumble dry them on low heat, I didn’t have to hang them up to air dry in my 500-square-foot apartment and don’t leave a wet dog-like odor.
I was initially worried about texture changes post-washing and drying, especially with the Sherpa cover. However, everything held up after two washes — once it was dry, the Sherpa material remained soft without fraying or shedding, and the bolster covers didn’t lose their sturdy, textured feel.
The bed, despite it being removable, is actually quite stable. The bolster cover has a textured middle, so the mattress stays in place, and prevents the bed from sliding on my hardwood floors. That comes in handy when my dog digs in her bed, which she routinely does to get comfortable.
Generally, Bella loves cushioned bolstered beds; she’ll rest her head on the sides to sleep, observe or simply lay for hours at a time. The bolstered sides are made from a sturdy, textured material, so she can support her head without sinking into it. On the other hand, the bed’s memory foam mattress has a soft, warm Sherpa material, so there’s a nice juxtaposition there that almost combines two separate beds: the cozy feel of a shaggy dog bed and the support and durability of a more rigid, woven bed.
One of the big things I noticed over the course of the month is how durable Ruggable’s pet bed actually is. Bella is a heavy chewer and has the tendency to shake, gnaw and claw at plush beds and toys to the point of ripping them apart. Though she’s gotten better about breaking things as she’s gotten older, her beds are often her main targets, whether she’s playing, frustrated or simply needs to get her energy out. I’ve had to throw away countless beds because of massive rips or because they look torn and disheveled. But this one has held up to every bit of torture Bella has put it through so far.
The woven bolsters look and feel sturdy, so I was initially only worried about the Sherpa mattress. However, it’s proven that it can stand up to Bella’s every dig and chew. Plus, both covers have held up to two machine washes so far without any issues (the Sherpa material hasn’t even frayed, which happens a lot with those softer bed covers, in my experience).
Despite its looks and durability, a $200 dog bed is not the most affordable option out there. You can find beds with similar bolstered designs and soft Sherpa material, like Best Friends by Sheri The Original Calming Donut ($30) and the Frisco Faux Suede Bolster Dog Bed ($21), (both of which I’ve bought for Bella in the past), though they’re not nearly as durable as Ruggable’s dog bed and don’t hold up as well after washing, in my experience.
The three size options are great for most breeds, but the largest size has a maximum weight recommendation of 80 pounds. If you have a large or extra-large breeds (who typically weigh 100 pounds and above), including Great Danes, Saint Bernards and Bernese mountain dogs, this isn’t a pet bed your dog can use.
If you have an older dog with joint or mobility issues, they likely won’t be able to use a bolster dog bed like this one. The sides are about 6 inches tall, which does take some effort for smaller elderly dogs to get into. Even Bella, who has short and stubby legs, has to take a small leap.
The moment I set up this bed in my living room, Bella immediately got inside and made herself comfy. Considering how picky she is with her beds, this came as a huge surprise to me: I didn’t have to persuade her with toys, treats or positive reinforcement. Over the last few months, she started choosing to nap in her bed more than other common spots (including my own bed and the couch), and she’s almost always in it when I check the Furbo while I’m away.
Beds that Bella has tried in the past have been a pain to clean and didn’t stand up to her constant chewing and scratching. The Ruggable bed managed to fulfill both her needs and my own — it’s comfortable yet durable enough to prevent Bella from tearing it up, plus it looks sleek and it’s easy to clean, so I’m not embarrassed to display it in my house.
If you’re looking for something durable and easily washable then this bed is a no-brainer. Plus, it’s not an eye sore and with so many color options I was able to quickly find one that fits my decor style. The bed’s comparable to only a few other pet beds my dog has tried, most notably the Casper Bolster Dog Bed ($139) and the Newton Baby Orthopedic Pet Bed ($130), the latter of which won an NBC Select Pet Award. But the Ruggable bed is more comfortable for Bella and stands up to spots and stains better, in my experience.
I’m an updates editor at NBC Select who frequently writes about dog-related topics, including the best food, toys and treats. For this article, my 15-pound havanese and bichon frise mix, Bella, tried Ruggable’s washable pet bed for a month, and I observed her comfort level, the bed’s durability and how easy it is to clean.
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