Quick Picks — Skip to the winner for your situation
A bed that can’t be properly washed isn’t a bed — it’s a hygiene problem waiting to happen.
Every dog bed should be washable, but not every ‘machine washable’ label tells the whole story. Some covers fade after 5 washes. Some covers shrink and no longer fit the insert properly. Some zip-off covers have poorly-constructed zips that break after three uses. We washed our test beds 20 times each — on the label instructions — to find the ones that hold up long-term.
Snooza The Snug Dog Bed
After 20 washes at 40°C, the Snug’s faux-suede cover showed zero colour fade, zero pilling and the zip functioned perfectly. The cover fits the insert consistently every time — no shrinkage or warping. The Snoozafill® insert can be spot-cleaned independently. Our top pick for a bed you’ll wash regularly for years.
- Zero colour fade and zero pilling after 20 machine washes
- Zip mechanism remained fully functional after all 20 wash cycles
- Faux-suede resists hair embedding — faster to remove fur than plush covers
- Faux-suede feel is less luxurious than plush covers
- Not suitable for dogs who drool heavily (suede absorbs saliva more visibly than other materials)
Snooza Cooling Comfort Orthobed
The bamboo-blend cover of the Cooling Comfort Orthobed held up well across 20 washes — Powder Grey colour retained with minimal variance, fabric weight unchanged. The bamboo weave is slightly more delicate than faux-suede so we’d recommend cold wash setting rather than 40°C for long-term durability, but it performs well.
- Bamboo-blend fabric retained colour and weight across 20 washes
- Orthofoam insert unaffected by repeated cover removal and washing
- Zip mechanism remained functional through all wash cycles
- Bamboo weave is slightly more delicate — cold wash preferable long-term
- Powder Grey only — no colour variety
| # | Name | Score | Price | Key Feature | Washable | Sizes | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Snooza The Snug Dog Bed★ Top Pick | 9.4 | From $165 | 20-wash durability verified — faux-suede zip-off cover | Yes — 40°C machine wash | M, L | 12 months |
| 2 | Snooza Cooling Comfort Orthobed | 9.1 | From $119 | Bamboo-blend zip-off cover — 20-wash durability | Yes — cold machine wash recommended long-term | M, L, XL | 12 months |
| 3 | Snooza The Nest Dog Bed | 8.9 | From $179 | Striped nest bed — 20-wash colour retention verified | Yes — machine washable | M, L, XL | 12 months |
| 4 | Bobby Bed | 8.7 | From ~$195 | Double-layer washable (cover + waterproof liner) | Yes — both layers machine washable | S, M, L, XL (verify) | Verify on site |
| 5 | Kazoo Wombat Dog Bed | 7.8 | From $114 | Budget washable dog bed — fortnightly wash suitable | Yes — machine washable | M, L | 6 months |
What to look for – AU buying advice
Common Questions
What is the most washable dog bed in Australia?
The Snooza Snug Dog Bed showed the best wash durability in our testing — zero colour fade, zero pilling and a fully functional zip after 20 machine washes at 40°C. Available from snooza.com.au in M and L from $165.
Can you wash the whole dog bed — not just the cover?
Never machine wash the foam insert — it will tear, deform and trap moisture inside. Always remove the cover and wash it separately. The foam insert should be spot-cleaned with a damp cloth and mild detergent, then air-dried thoroughly in the sun before the cover is replaced.
How do I remove dog hair from a dog bed cover?
Before washing: use a rubber glove or rubber brush to sweep the cover — fur clumps and pulls away easily. Run through a 10-minute tumble dry on cool (no heat) before washing if possible — the tumble action loosens embedded fur. Wash in the machine with a couple of dryer balls. Don’t overload the machine — fur removal requires water circulation.
Do dog beds shrink in the wash?
Cheaper covers can shrink on first wash, making them too small to fit the insert. Quality beds like Snooza use pre-shrunk fabric that maintains consistent dimensions through repeated washing. Always wash on the recommended setting (usually cold or 40°C) and avoid hot water or high-heat dryer settings, which accelerate shrinkage.