Get the size right first time
Wrong size is the number one reason a bed gets ignored – and the number one reason people return one. Two minutes here saves both.
Three numbers, one tape measure
Nose to base of tail
Wait until they are lying stretched out on their side, then measure along the body from the tip of the nose to where the tail joins the body.
Add 15-20cm
This is the number people skip. It is the room they need to turn, stretch and lie on their side without a leg hanging off.
Compare to internal size
Every listing shows the internal sleeping area as well as the outer footprint. Bolster walls can eat 12cm a side – always compare to the inner number.
Dog bed size chart
Sizes below are internal sleeping area. If your dog is between two sizes and sprawls rather than curls, size up.
| Size | Internal area | Nose to tail | Typical weight | Example breeds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 50 × 40cm | up to 40cm | up to 7kg | Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian |
| M | 70 × 55cm | 40-55cm | 7-15kg | Cocker Spaniel, Beagle, French Bulldog, Mini Schnauzer |
| L | 90 × 70cm | 55-70cm | 15-25kg | Border Collie, Staffie, Springer Spaniel, Whippet |
| XL | 110 × 85cm | 70-85cm | 25-40kg | Labrador, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Boxer |
| XXL | 130 × 100cm | 85cm+ | 40kg+ | Great Dane, Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dog, Mastiff |
Cat bed size chart
Donut and cave beds are measured by outer diameter. Most adult cats are happiest in a 50cm donut.
| Size | Diameter | Suits | Typical breeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 40cm | Kittens and small adults, up to 3kg | Kittens, Singapura, Cornish Rex |
| M | 50cm | Most adult cats, 3-5kg | British Shorthair, Domestic Shorthair, Siamese |
| L | 60cm | Large adults, 5-8kg | Ragdoll, Bengal, Norwegian Forest Cat |
| XL | 70cm | Very large cats or two who share, 8kg+ | Maine Coon, Savannah, bonded pairs |
Four judgement calls
Curler or sprawler?
Cats and dogs that curl tight can take the smaller of two sizes. Anything that sleeps flat on its side should size up.
Still growing?
Buy for the size they are now, not the size they will be. A puppy in an adult bed feels exposed and will not settle.
Stiff joints?
Go up a size and choose a low-entry front. Climbing a 12cm bolster wall is a real obstacle for an arthritic dog.
Sharing?
Two pets in one bed needs roughly 1.5× the larger animal's size, not double. They overlap more than you think.
Last checks
The bed looks huge in the room. Did I over-size it?
Probably not - beds always look bigger out of a photo. What matters is the internal area against your measurement. If it is more than 25cm over, then yes, drop a size.
What if I measure between two sizes?
Size up for sprawlers, senior dogs and anything that shares. Size down for tight curlers and cats who like being contained.
Do bolster walls count as sleeping space?
No. Dogs do use them as a pillow, but they are not lying surface. Always compare your measurement to the internal area we list.
Can I return it if I get the size wrong?
Yes - 14 days, used or not. See returns. But measuring first is quicker for everyone.
Send us a photo
Tell us the breed and how they sleep and we will size it for you.
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