Dress your bed with durable but inexpensive layers
Start with a layer on your mattress to keep your pet from ruining that expensive investment. The SafeRest Premium Mattress Protector proved waterproof in our tests and should guard your mattress from pet pee or vomit. I recommend buying two (they’re about $25 each) so you have a spare if one is in the wash.
It’s not worth investing in expensive bedding if your pet is a shredder or a shedder. We love Target’s Threshold Performance 400 Thread Count Sheet Set. These comfortable sateen sheets are cheap enough that you won’t resent your pet if you need to replace them. Wirecutter deputy editor Christine Cyr Clisset also likes IKEA’s linen Puderviva duvet covers, which are affordable (for linen bedding) and very durable. “My cat has not sliced it in almost two years,” she notes.
If you’re tired of cleaning pet hair (or worse) from your bedding, add a top layer. “I like to top my comforter with a cheap throw, so if my dog sneaks a chew treat into bed or throws up, it won’t leak through the other layers,” says Wirecutter staff writer Kaitlyn Wells. Our recommendation, the Lands’ End Plush Fleece Throw, usually costs about $30 and looks more stylish than other budget throws I’ve tested. Fuzzy fleece tends to collect hair (which, in this case, is the point), and this blanket is durable enough to withstand frequent washing. If you need something more robust for wet messes, the PetAmi Waterproof Dog Blanket is popular on Amazon (but we haven’t tested it).
Pay attention to what goes into your pet … and what comes out
None of the gear we recommend will go as far as an ounce of this prevention. If your pet eats anything suspicious or hasn’t pooped all day, keep your pet out of your bedroom until you’re sure it’s safe. We learned this the hard way, after having to replace a lot of carpet.
Choosing the Best Dog Proof Bedding That Fits Your Needs
Bedding comes in so many different materials it can be difficult finding one that you love that will not attract so much of your fur baby’s fur. After all, you know your pup is going to end up in bed with you (or without you) for at least part of every day. He is going to leave some of his hair behind.
As you look at his own dog bed, you know that your pooch is a shedder, even if he is one of those breeds that supposedly does not shed. There is really no dog that is completely shed-proof. Although the Afghan, poodle, and hairless terriers are known to be more hypoallergenic, they too shed at least a little. But their coat is more like human hair and less like dog fur.
The best bedding for pup parents are easy to clean, durable, low static, and are tightly woven. For example, the thread count should be over 500 to stop the hair from sticking. The lower the thread count, the more dog hair your bed will attract. Silk and polyester in a 600+ thread count are great for that but they can be horrible for static. Let’s get into some of the details.
Microfiber: Microfiber is a great material for repelling dog hair because it is tightly woven and your dog’s fur has nothing much to stick to. This material is synthetic and stronger than most natural fibers as well. It is a furfect material for being mold-resistant too but it can be a bit static at times. You can fix that by using fabric softener or dryer sheets.
Incidentally, this material is rated by its GSM, which is grams per square foot and ranges from 55 to about 120, with the highest being the better choice. Most bedding you find is between 90 and 110 GSM.
Cotton: Cotton is one of the most commonly used fabrics for anything from clothing to bedding. The 100% cotton fabric is great at repelling dog hair but it has to be tightly woven. Look for a high thread count for the best repelling properties. Those with a 500 thread count or higher are more tightly woven so hair and fur does not stick as well.
Another benefit is that cotton is typically inexpensive and easy to find. Since it is one of the most common fabrics, you will not have any trouble finding it. Care of cotton is also easy since it is machine washable and safe for the dryer.
Linen: Being tightly woven, linen is a perfect fabric for pooch parents because the hair does not stick. It is breathable like cotton but has a higher moisture tolerance. In other words, it is absorbent and fast drying. Linen is soft, silky, and easy to care for, making it a great choice. However, it does cost a bit more.
Silk: Silk sheets are luxurious and slick, with a wonderful feeling on your skin. Just getting into bed makes you say “Ahhh” because it feels so smooth and soft. With this slippery material, dog hair is not going to get stuck to it no matter what kind of dog you have. To keep down the cost, get a silk blend that is less expensive but still silky.
Satin: Satin is a manufactured material for silky fibers without the high cost. It is actually made of polyester but it is soft and dog hair repellent. It is also easy to care for as it is machine washable.
Velvet: This is the wrong type of fabric in your house, let alone on your bed. Even if your dog never sets foot in your bed, velvet material will attract the fur and hair from your clothes, your body, and even from the air. Although it is a nice soft material, pup parents should avoid velvet.
How to stop your dog from chewing up bed
Sometimes you just need to cuddle with your fur baby and one of the best places to do this is in your bed. True dog lovers do not mind letting their bundle of fuzziness share the bed for cuddle time or playtime. But you do not want to ruin your bedding. Dog toenails can be sharp and easily damage some materials.
I chose the Mambe’s Waterproof Dog Furniture Cover Blanket for the top choice after reviewing over 30 other dog proof bedding because it has the most important features for both you and your fur baby.
The main feature that makes this one stand out from the rest is that it is 100% waterproof. Also, it is easy to clean in the washing machine and is safe to dry in the dryer, which is important to all pup parents. The Mambe’s Waterproof Dog Furniture Cover Blanket offers fantastic durability as well as softness, making it our choice of the best dog proof bedding.
But I understand you might have different needs, whether you’re looking for dog proof pillowcases or hair-resistant sheets That is why I prepared a shortlist of our favorite dog proof beddings that address different needs.