Eco-friendly Dog Beds: An Earth Conscious Option
Table of Contents
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
Our Top Picks Summary
- OMI Pet Bed
- Molly Mutt Sheepy Wool-Filled Crate Pad
- Harry Barker Grain Sack Dog Bed
- West Paw Heyday Dog Bed with Microsuede
- Bolstered Pet Bed by Nest Bedding
- NaturoPet Natural Dog and Cat Bed
- Natural Pet Mattress by The Futon Shop
- Molly Mutt Dog Bed Cover
- Lounge Bed by P.L.A.Y
- Kingston Dog Bed by Essentia
Our Top Pick
Our Top Pick is the Pet Bed From Organic Mattress Inc. (OMI). The company is known for its environmentally-friendly mattresses, and their pet beds are made in the USA. Aside from being free of toxic substances like flame retardants, formaldehyde, etc., their pet beds offer organic cotton covers, organic buckwheat hulls filling, and are made from 100% natural rubber rings (for the bed’s sides).
What Makes a Dog Bed Eco Friendly?
Dog beds can go ‘green’ by adopting an environmentally friendly manufacturing process, choosing ecologically safe materials, or embracing non-polluting retail strategies. Sounding a bit too much? Allow us to break that down for you.
If you take into account all the different stages of production involved in manufacturing a dog bed, you’ll see that a company has quite a few avenues of becoming eco-friendly.
For instance, when it comes to manufacturing processes – brands can choose to cut out chemicals that are injurious to the atmosphere. One of the most common culprits of environmental harm in the textile industry is lead – which is quite commonly found in fabric dyes. Quite a few pet bed brands have cut back on the use of flame retardants because of the damage they can wreak on the environment.
Additionally, environmentally sound retail strategies can help improve our overall way of life by cutting back waste. Packaging made from materials like glass, metal, paper, plastics, etc., is a great way to save raw materials, energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
All these factors can play a vital role in making a dog bed more environmentally friendly. If you’re wondering why we’ve omitted to talk about eco-safe materials – don’t worry. That’s extensively covered in the section below.
Materials Eco-Friendly Dogs Beds are Made of
What you need to remember is that running into a completely ecologically pure dog bed is rare. Different companies have an individual take on how to make their products more environmentally secure.
There’s no such thing as a universal standard when it comes to eco-friendly pet beds – which also means some beds are undoubtedly going to be better than others, depending on their materials and features.
Here are some of the labels you’re bound to run into when searching for an eco-friendly pet bed.
Sustainable
Sustainability revolves around three factors – harm-free (non-toxic) use, natural growth, and renewability. Sustainable materials are found abundantly in nature are capable of being made at the same speed that they’re used or consumed. That means things like organic cotton, linen, recycled plastic, wood, bamboo, etc., are all examples of sustainable materials – depending on the circumstances. When it comes to dog beds, you’re more likely to find eco-friendly materials in filling core options or outer cover fabrics. However, every so often, you can also run into a bed that includes a bamboo or dry paper frame to help the product conform to non-polluting standards.Recycled
Recycled materials can go a long way in making the environment safe from non-biodegradable waste. That’s why you’ll often find companies opting for dog bed fillings made from recycled plastic bottles or similar items. Other companies prefer to save the environment by manufacturing dog beds made from recycled textiles (such as old clothing, towels, beddings, stuffed toys, etc.). As a matter of fact, recycling doesn’t have to stop at the materials used to make pet beds. Some pet product manufacturers also go the extra mile and use recycled packaging for shipping their orders.Organic Fibers
According to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), a textile product can only be graded ‘organic’ if it contains a minimum of 95% certified organic fibers. Conversely, a textile item needs to include 70% of certified organic fibers to become GOTS-certified. Organic fibers are natural fibers that are grown without the use of substances like insecticides, synthetic pesticides, GMOs and adhere to the principles of organic agriculture. All of this means that organic fibers can play a big role in creating an overall textile industry with a drastically reduced environmental impact and increased concern for human health and sustainable production that doesn’t taint the planet. That’s why now you can find dog beds made from organic fibers such as wool, hemp flax, cotton, etc., that help dog owners offer their pets non-toxic and green fabrics and fillings for sleep and comfort.What to Look For in an Eco-Friendly Dog Bed
With so many choices available in outlets and online retailers, it can get a little tricky picking out the best doggy bed to suit Fido’s needs. However, you can consider the pointers highlighted in this section to narrow down your options.
Size
Be it a pillow or lounge-style dog bed; size is a factor you can never escape. If you want your pup to be as comfortable as possible with the mattress you pick out, make sure to measure your pet to avoid all size-related mishaps. Getting a size that’s a little bigger than your canine isn’t half as bad as picking one that’s too small. No one likes their legs dangling off the bed’s edge, after all, not even your pet.Material
The stuff your dog bed is made of makes a difference. In fact, materials are paramount when it comes to renewable pet beds. You can opt for removable covers made from cotton, hemp flax, or synthetic fabrics paired with untreated filling options like wool, coconut coir, or fibers made from recycled plastic bottles. Sometimes, it isn’t easy to find all the features your pet needs with a chemical-free label, so you might have to carry out a quick balancing exercise.Filling
As stated earlier, it’s pretty difficult to get all the characteristics you need in a dog bed along with a ‘green’ label. For example, if your doggo has arthritis and suffers from joint pain – an orthopedic mattress (with memory foam) may not be something you can compromise on. But, you can offset that loss by picking a stuff-sack cover made from natural materials. Although, if your doggo is in the prime of its life without any health issues to affect your choice of a pet bed, you can opt for more organic filling options recycled textiles, latex and wool, or coconut coir.Washability
One of the best things about pet beds made from recyclable materials is that they’re almost infinitely washable and durable. For example, most stuff-sack dog bed covers that use recycled textiles (like old clothes pillows, and the like) can be machine-washed from cover to stuffing without any worries. For mattresses filled with substances that don’t so well with water, invest in a removable cover made from natural materials (instead of artificial fabrics like nylon or polyester) to protect your investment.Price Point
Dog beds are made of endless materials and fabrications. That’s why you won’t ever have to worry about the price range for pet beds because you’re bound to run into an option that suits your budget perfectly. Although, we advise our readers to look at environmentally friendly canine beds as an investment that keeps on giving. Canine beds made from organic materials are designed to be long-lasting, and that’s why, no matter the price, it’s likely your bed will give you an excellent quality-to-price ratio.Best Eco-Friendly Dog Beds
1. OMI Pet Bed
The Pet Bed from OMI is perfect for environmentally conscious pet parents because their product is manufactured from only sustainable materials, like organic cotton, buckwheat hulls, and rubber. The bed is GreenGuard certified, and the removable covers are machine washable for easy cleaning. Additionally, the beds are available in three separate sizes, and buyers have the option of purchasing extra covers or inserts as required.
2. Molly Mutt Sheepy Wool-Filled Crate Pad
Molly Mutt has made quite a name for itself through their Wool-filled Crate Pad. The item includes a filling made from 100% natural wool because it’s durable and odor-resistant to boot. The bed’s cotton canvas cover is sturdy and available in nine different designs.
3. Harry Barker Grain Sack Dog Bed
The Harry Barker Grain Sack Dog Bed can offer your pup luxurious comfort along with non-polluting materials like hemp (for the bed cover) and recycled plastic bottles (for the insert). The bed’s readily available on major retail sites like Amazon within a very reasonable price bracket.
4. West Paw Heyday Dog Bed with Microsuede
West Paw Dog beds are hand-made and combine the goodness of recycled plastic bottle fibers with the durability of (synthetic) microsuede covers. The product is available in three sizes and includes a bolster-like design with a double-stuffed base for extra canine support. These beds are perfect for indoor/outdoor use and can also work as travel and crate beds. Finally, the beds are machine-wash and dryer safe for ease of cleaning.
5. Bolstered Pet Bed by Nest Bedding
If you’re on the lookout for an ecologically pure bed that’ll work wonders for your anxious pet – try opting for the Bolstered Pet Bed by Nest Bedding. This product includes a breathable cotton canvas cover along with a filling core of fibers from recycled plastic waste. What’s more, the company doesn’t use any harmful dyes to produce their handmade beds. Besides being available in several sizes, the beds are also machine washable but need to be hung to dry.
6. NaturoPet Natural Dog and Cat Bed
The Natural Dog Bed by NaturoPet gives pet parents the option of creating a cozy and safe environment for their canines and family through their 100% clean and green product. The company’s canine bed offers virgin wool inserts for warmth and support, along with organic cotton outer covers that are easy to remove and clean. In addition, all the company’s products are made in the USA with high-grade materials, so you don’t have to stress about quality.
7. Natural Pet Mattress by The Futon Shop
The Natural Pet Mattress by The Futon Shop allows pup owners to pick the pet bed fill they’re most comfortable with, and before you ask – all four options are organic and chemical-free. The mattress fill options include coconut coir and wool, latex and wool, organic cotton, and pure wool filling. That means whether your pet is in its puppyhood or golden years – the Natural Pet Mattress has something for everyone.
8. Molly Mutt Dog Bed Cover
Are you a fan of DIY projects? If yes, then say hello to the Molly Mutt Dog Bed cover that’s taking the pet world by storm. All you need to do is collect all your old textiles (pillow covers, towels, bedding, etc.) and stuff them into the stuff-sack type bed to give Fido a place to rest its head. Talk about combining utility with respecting the environment.
9. Lounge Bed by P.L.A.Y
P.L.A.Y’s Lounge Beds are amassing fans by the hour, and it’s easy to see why. The product is made from high-loft Planet Fill (made from consumer certified safe plastic bottles) and features a non-toxic woven Jacquard fabric (along with a lead-free zipper) to ensure your doggo’s well-being. Oh, and the bed also comes equipped with a non-slip base to ensure everything stays in place.
10. Kingston Dog Bed by Essentia
We’ve done it! Our team has unearthed an environmentally safe dog bed with outstanding features of a natural latex memory foam filling and a super-soft, removable outer cotton cover. That’s not all the dog bed by Essentia has to offer – there’s also a soft-grip bottom to ensure your floors are protected, and best of all – the company’s products are GOTS certified.
Conclusion
We hope you had as much fun reading about all the brilliant ecologically friendly pet bed options out there as we had in finding them. Now, it’s up to you to use the list to your advantage and pick a bed that’ll keep Fido warm and cozy while protecting the environment. Till next time, happy shopping, folks!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are eco-friendly beds better for dogs?
Ecologically friendly beds aren’t just good for the environment; they can also go a long way in promoting your pup’s well-being. For instance, did you know that lead is a common ingredient in many fabric dyes and can be harmful to your pet’s health? That’s just one of the ways an eco-friendly bed can help your doggo lead a cleaner and healthy life.What makes a bed eco-friendly?
There’s no set standard as to what makes a bed ecologically friendly. Some companies prefer to go all green and use only sustainable and non-toxic materials to construct their products, like organic cotton, wool, rubber, etc. Other times, manufactures can combine recycled materials with synthetic fabrics to give pet parents the best of both worlds. It’s up to you to decide on the level of commitment to going green.Are eco-friendly beds for expensive?
Not all organic and non-polluting beds fall on the expensive side of the price spectrum. However, a green-friendly startup’s products may likely be pricier than a company that mass-produces dog beds, but that has more to do with the cost of production than making use of sustainable materials and practices. In short, pet parents will have plenty of choice in terms of price for eco-friendly beds.
