What Should I Use to Fill Dog Beds?

Pets are often seen as part of the family, and any member of the family needs a quality bed to sleep on at night. There are a variety of different materials that can be used to fill a homemade dog bed or to replace the fill of a failing one.

  1. Foam

    • One often-used fill option for dog beds is the kind of foam that many dog beds come filled with. It's the same kind of foam that you might find in a throw pillow, for instance. The fill is often made from recycled soda bottles, which makes it both cheap and environmentally friendly. It also offers both support and warmth to your canine friend.

    Kapok Fibers

    • Another fill option for dog beds is a substance called kapok fiber. Kapok fiber is a natural substance taken from the seed pods of the ceiba tree, which belongs to the Bombacacae family and is found mostly in Asia, in tropical and semi-tropical locations. It is commonly used as a fill for padding because it is non-toxic, non-allergic and odorless, all of which your dog will appreciate.

    Memory Foam

    • You can also fill your dog's bedding with memory foam. Memory foam is a more expensive kind of foam that is denser than the typical foam, and tends to conform to the shape of whatever is laying on it as a result. Memory foam beds are marketed towards older dogs, large dogs and dogs with joint problems, as they will all appreciate the extra support. Just about any dog, however, will be comfortable on memory foam.

    Sawdust

    • Sawdust is another cheap and often readily available fill for dog beds, and can often be found at pet supply stores. If you ask around places where wood is processed you might even be able to take some for free. Sawdust will not provide the same cushion that foam will, but it will provide some support, and warmth too. If sawdust is not available, hay makes an ideal alternative.