LIFE WITH PETS, WELL CHOSEN
The Cakeen Guide • Dog Bed Sizing
The right dog bed size starts with your dog, not with a size label.
A bed that is too small can leave your dog hanging over the edge, curled tighter than they would like, or skipping the bed altogether. A bed with enough room lets them stretch out, turn around, and settle into whatever position feels natural. Getting the size right mostly comes down to measuring carefully once and comparing your numbers with the bed's listed dimensions.
Measuring your dog is more reliable than choosing by breed or weight alone. Two dogs of the same breed or weight can differ in length, build, and the way they sleep. This guide walks through a simple six-step method, a practical size chart, common mistakes, and examples of listed bed dimensions you can compare against your own measurements.
This guide includes examples of dog beds sold by Cakeen. We may earn revenue when a purchase is made through links on this page.
Quick Answer: How to Measure Your Dog for a Dog Bed
Here is the short version. The sections below explain each step in more detail.
- Let your dog lie in their normal sleeping position.Watch first, measure second. A standing or fidgeting dog gives unreliable numbers.
- Measure nose to base of tail.Run the tape from the tip of the nose to where the tail meets the body.
- Measure the widest resting width.Measure across the broadest part of your dog as they lie, including outstretched legs if they sprawl.
- Add 6–12 inches.Add it to both length and width. Use the higher end for large dogs and dogs that stretch out.
- Compare against listed bed dimensions.Compare your adjusted numbers with the bed's length and width, not only its size label.
- For seniors, consider low entry and raised edges.Bed height and bolster walls affect how easily a dog steps on and how much lying space they have.
What You Need Before Measuring
You do not need special equipment. A few simple things make the measurements easier and more accurate.
Flexible tape measure
A soft tape is easier to lay alongside a resting dog than a rigid ruler or yardstick.
Paper or phone notes
Write each number down right away, along with the position your dog was in.
A calm moment
Choose a time when your dog is relaxed and lying naturally, such as after a walk or meal.
A helper or photo (optional)
A second person can hold the end of the tape, or you can take a quick photo from above to check later.
Step 1: Watch Your Dog's Normal Sleeping Style
Before you pick up the tape, spend a day or two noticing how your dog actually rests. Sleeping style affects both the size and the shape of bed that will feel right, and many dogs use different positions at different times of day.
Dogs That Curl Up
A dog that tucks into a circle takes up less length while resting, but often likes to feel supported at the edges. These dogs may be comfortable in a slightly smaller footprint or in a bed with soft raised sides. Still measure their stretched-out length, since most curlers stretch at some point.
Dogs That Stretch Out or Sprawl
Sprawlers extend their legs forward and back or flop onto their sides. They usually need the most length and width, and an open surface with few obstacles may suit them better than a deep bolster. Measure them at their most stretched out and use the upper end of the extra-room range.
Dogs That Sleep on Their Side
A dog lying on their side takes up more width than one who is upright or curled. Measure width with the legs in their normal resting position, then add enough room so paws and legs are not hanging off the edge.
Dogs That Like Bolsters or Leaning Support
Some dogs rest their head on a raised edge or press their back against a wall. Bolster or raised-side beds can suit them, but the raised sides use up floor space. Compare the inside lying area, not just the outside measurements.
Senior Dogs With Mobility Limitations
Older dogs, and dogs who move stiffly, may find some beds harder to get on and off. Beyond length and width, consider how high the bed sits and whether the edges are raised. A low-entry design may be easier to step onto, though what works best varies from dog to dog. If your dog seems uncomfortable or struggles to stand, your veterinarian is the right person to ask. For a product-focused comparison, see our guide to orthopedic dog beds for senior dogs with hip dysplasia.
Step 2: Measure Your Dog's Length
Measure from the tip of your dog's nose to the base of the tail, which is the point where the tail meets the body. Keep the tape straight and follow the line of the body without pressing on your dog.
Try to measure while your dog is relaxed and lying in their usual sleeping position. If your dog will not hold still, measure during a moment when they are lying down, or ask a helper to hold the end of the tape.
Do not use the tail itself as the required bed length. A tail usually rests beside or against the body, and including it can make the bed larger than you need. If your dog often sleeps with the tail stretched out flat, note that separately.
Tip: If your dog rests in several positions, take one length measurement for each and use the largest number as your starting point. You will add extra room in Step 4, so do not add it yet.
Step 3: Measure Your Dog's Width
Measure across the widest point of your dog while they are lying in their normal position. For many dogs, this is across the shoulders or ribcage. For dogs who lie on their side or sprawl, it may be from paw to paw, or from the back to the tips of the outstretched legs.
A sprawler may need more space from side to side than their body alone suggests, because their legs extend outward. Measure the space your dog actually takes up, not just the width of the torso.
If your dog changes position, curled up at night and stretched out in the afternoon for example, take more than one width measurement and use the largest one. A quick top-down photo can help you remember which position each number belongs to.
Step 4: Add Enough Extra Room
Measurements show how much space your dog occupies. They do not show how much space your dog needs to be comfortable. A practical starting point is to add 6–12 inches (about 15–30 cm) to both length and width. This is a starting range rather than a fixed rule, and needs vary from dog to dog.
- Closer to 6 inches: smaller dogs, dogs that reliably curl up, and dogs that like a snug fit.
- Closer to 12 inches: larger or long-legged dogs, dogs that fully stretch out or sleep on their side, and dogs that change positions often.
Example: A dog measures 34 inches from nose to base of tail and 18 inches across at the widest resting point. Adding 8 inches to each gives an adjusted length of about 42 inches and an adjusted width of about 26 inches. Those adjusted numbers are the ones you compare with listed bed dimensions.
Comfort preference matters too. Some dogs love a snug nest, while others want space to spread out. If your dog usually chooses the smaller spot in the room, a slightly more compact bed may suit them. If they regularly spill over the edge of their current bed, consider going larger.
Step 5: Compare Measurements With Bed Dimensions
Once you have your adjusted length and width, compare them with the listed dimensions of the bed: length, width, and height.
Why Bed Labels Can Be Misleading
Words like Medium, Large, and XL do not mean the same thing across brands, and one label can cover a wide range of dimensions. That is why dimensions in inches are more useful than a size name. A weight range on a listing is also a helpful clue, but it does not confirm that your dog's back, legs, and paws will fit.
Outer Dimensions vs. Usable Sleeping Space
Listed dimensions usually describe the outside of the bed. On a flat, mattress-style bed, that is close to the space your dog can use. On a bed with bolsters or raised sides, the walls take up part of the footprint, so the usable interior sleeping area can be smaller than the outside measurements. For example, a bolster bed listed at 30 x 24 inches will not give your dog a full 30 x 24 inch lying area.
Look closely at product photos, read the dimensions carefully, and check whether the listing describes inside measurements. If a manufacturer has not specified them, the interior size is not specified by the manufacturer, so allow for the difference.
Consider Bed Height and Entry Design
Height matters most for older dogs and dogs with mobility limitations. A low, flat profile is generally easier to step onto than a tall bed, while high walls may be harder to step over. Orthopedic-style beds also add foam thickness, so when sizing an orthopedic dog bed, check the height along with length and width. If your dog hesitates to climb onto furniture or steps, entry height is worth considering.
Dog Bed Size Chart: A Practical Starting Point
Use this chart as a starting point, not a guarantee. It is based on your dog's adjusted resting length, which is your measured length plus extra room, rather than on breed names. Breed-based size charts can only give rough examples, because two dogs of the same breed can differ noticeably. Your dog's actual measurements always come first.
| Dog's adjusted resting length | Suggested listed bed length | Sleeping-style note |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 24 in (61 cm) | About 24 in | Curlers may be comfortable near the low end. Check width if your dog stretches out. |
| 25–30 in (64–76 cm) | About 30 in | Round up to the next listed length rather than down, especially for side sleepers. |
| 31–36 in (79–91 cm) | About 36 in | Sprawlers may want more room. Compare width as well as length. |
| 37–40 in (94–102 cm) | About 40 in | Dogs that fully stretch out may need the upper end of the extra-room range. Consider entry height for seniors. |
| 41–44 in (104–112 cm) | About 44 in | Check width closely, since long dogs can also be broad when lying on their side. |
| Over 44 in (112 cm) | 44 in or longer | Very large dogs may need a bed larger than most listings offer. Compare exact dimensions and consider more than one option. |
Width matters as much as length. Compare your adjusted width with the bed's listed width in the same way, and remember that bolster beds have smaller usable interiors than their outside dimensions suggest.
Cakeen Bed Size Examples
Use your dog's adjusted measurements to compare these listed Cakeen dimensions. The examples below are starting points, not universal fit guarantees.
Listed size: 30 x 20 x 3 inches
30 x 20 x 3 Inches: Medium Cooling Gel Dog Bed
This is a medium-size bed, and the product description confirms senior-friendly, easy step-in access. If your dog’s adjusted resting length exceeds 30 inches or their adjusted resting width exceeds 20 inches, this bed is unlikely to provide enough listed surface area. It is not intended as a match for large or XL dogs.
View the Medium Cooling Gel Dog Bed
Listed size: 36 x 27 x 4 inches
36 x 27 x 4 Inches: Pet Adobe 2-Layer Orthopedic Dog Bed
This bed is listed for dogs up to 65 pounds. Weight is only one clue, so still compare your dog's adjusted length and width with the listed 36 x 27 inch footprint, and think about how your dog sleeps.
View the Pet Adobe 36 x 27
Listed size: 40 x 32 x 3 inches
40 x 32 x 3 Inches: Jumbo Orthopedic Dog Bed
The manufacturer describes the low-profile design as easy for senior dogs to step on and off. Its larger footprint may give a stretched-out dog more room, but compare your dog's own measurements first.
View the Jumbo Orthopedic Dog Bed
Listed size: 44 x 35 x 4.75 inches
44 x 35 x 4.75 Inches: Pet Adobe 2-Layer Orthopedic Dog Bed
This bed is listed for dogs up to 100 pounds. Your dog's body measurements and sleeping style should guide the choice, and the 4.75-inch listed height is worth comparing with your dog’s mobility needs, since a low-entry design is not specified by the manufacturer.
View the Pet Adobe 44 x 35
Dimensions: not specified by the manufacturer
Choosing a Bolster Bed
The Orbit Orthopedic Chew-Resistant Memory Foam Bolster Bed is a high-walled bolster bed. Exact dimensions are not specified by the manufacturer, so check the product page's available size options. Remember that raised walls reduce the usable interior space compared with the outside measurements.
View the Orbit Bolster BedCommon Dog Bed Sizing Mistakes
Mistake 1
Choosing only by breed
Breed names give a rough idea at best. Dogs of the same breed vary in length, build, and sleeping style.
Mistake 2
Choosing only by dog weight
A weight range is one clue. It does not tell you how long your dog is or how much room they need when stretched out.
Mistake 3
Measuring only while standing
A standing dog measures differently from a resting one. Measure in the position your dog actually sleeps.
Mistake 4
Forgetting to add extra room
Body measurements alone leave no space to stretch, shift, or turn around.
Mistake 5
Assuming outer size equals sleeping space
Bolsters and raised sides take up part of the footprint, so the usable interior can be smaller than the listed dimensions.
Mistake 6
Ignoring bed height for older dogs
A bed with the right length can still be hard to step onto if it sits high or has tall walls.
Mistake 7
Ignoring return terms
Even careful measuring can miss. Read the return terms before you buy so you know your options if the fit is not right.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a dog bed is too small?
Common signs include a head, paws, or hindquarters hanging over the edge, a dog who cannot stretch out fully, a dog who curls tighter than usual, or a dog who skips the bed and lies on the floor beside it. Compare your dog's adjusted measurements with the listed dimensions, and remember that bolster walls reduce the space inside.
Should a dog bed be bigger than the dog?
In most cases, yes. Extra room lets a dog stretch and shift position. A practical starting point is 6–12 inches beyond your dog's body measurements. Some dogs prefer a snug nest, though, so your dog's own preference matters, and a bed that is far too large may feel less cozy to some dogs.
How do I measure a large dog for a bed?
Use the same method with a few adjustments. Measure while your dog is resting, use a long tape or ask a helper, take measurements in more than one position, and lean toward the upper end of the extra-room range. Check width from paw to paw if your dog sprawls. It also helps to measure the floor space where the bed will go.
What bed size does a 100-pound dog need?
There is no single answer. Two 100-pound dogs can have very different lengths and sleeping styles, so measure your dog, add extra room, and compare. One Cakeen example listed for dogs up to 100 pounds measures 44 x 35 x 4.75 inches, but your dog's body measurements and sleeping style should guide the choice, and no single size is guaranteed to fit every dog of a given weight.
Do senior dogs need low-entry beds?
Not every senior dog does, but low entry can be worth considering, especially if your dog moves stiffly or hesitates to step onto raised surfaces. A low, flat profile is generally easier to step onto than a tall bed or one with high walls. If you notice your dog struggling to stand or get up, talk with your veterinarian.
Final Checklist Before Buying a Dog Bed
- Dog measured while resting.
- Length and width recorded.
- Extra room added (6–12 inches as a starting range).
- Sleeping style considered.
- Listed bed dimensions checked, including height.
- Usable interior space checked, if bolsters are present.
- Entry height considered for senior dogs.
- Product details and return policy checked.
Measure once, compare carefully, and let your dog's actual measurements, not a size label, guide the choice.
