Choosing a Pet Bed or Crate Online: Sizing, Materials and Returns

Beds and crates are some of the bulkiest things you'll buy for a pet, which makes a wrong size more annoying than usual: they're awkward to repack and can be costly to send back. Measuring first and reading the product page carefully gets it right first time.

Measure your pet

Use a soft tape measure and measure while your pet is standing, then watch how they like to sleep.

1. Length: from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail (not the tip).
2. Height: from the floor to the top of the head or ears when standing, whichever is higher.
3. Sleeping style: curled up, stretched out on their side, or sprawled on their back.
4. Weight: many size charts use it as a second check.

Write the numbers down in both inches and centimetres, since stores in the US and UK may list sizes differently.

Sizing a bed

• Curlers often like a round or bolstered bed sized a little longer than their curled-up body.
• Stretchers and sprawlers need a flat, rectangular bed or mattress at least as long as their nose-to-tail measurement, plus some extra room.
• Older or larger pets may find a lower entry and a thicker, firmer base easier to get in and out of. Ask your vet for advice on joint or mobility concerns.
• Check the internal sleeping area, not just the outside dimensions. Thick bolsters can take up a lot of space.

Sizing a crate

A crate (sometimes called a cage or kennel) should let your pet stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably.

• Add a few inches (several centimetres) to your pet's length and height measurements as a starting point, then follow the maker's size chart.
• For a growing puppy, look for a crate with a divider panel, so you can buy the adult size and adjust the space as they grow.
• Measure the space in your home where the crate will go, including the door swing and the height under any furniture.
• For travel crates or carriers, check the rules of the airline or transport company you plan to use, as they set their own size and construction requirements.

Choose the right type

Materials and washability

Beds get dirty, so how you'll clean one matters as much as how it looks.

• Removable, machine-washable covers are the most practical. Check the cover fits in your washing machine.
• Water-resistant liners protect the filling from accidents and spills.
• Fillings vary. Foam keeps its shape; loose fibre fill is softer but can flatten and clump. Check whether the inner part can be washed or only the cover.
• Non-slip bases stop a bed sliding on hard floors.
• Crate trays should be removable and easy to wipe clean.

If your pet is a chewer

• Look for "chew-resistant" descriptions with details, such as tough fabrics, hidden zips and reinforced seams. No bed is truly indestructible, so be wary of claims that say otherwise.
• Avoid loose stuffing that could be pulled out and swallowed.
• Consider a raised or elevated bed with a fabric that's hard to grip.
• Supervise with any new bed until you know how your pet treats it.

Returns for bulky items

Before you order, check:

• Whether returns are free or you pay to send a large parcel back, which can be expensive.
• Whether the item must be unused and in its original packaging. Keep the box until you're sure.
• The returns window, and whether exchanges for a different size are offered.
• Delivery charges for oversized items, especially if ordering from abroad; see our shipping and customs guide.

If a store won't honour its policy, our refunds and chargebacks guide explains your options.