Best cave beds for small dogs: hooded, igloo and burrow beds for small dogs (and cats)
Lots of small dogs like to sleep tucked away under something. A cave bed gives them a warm, enclosed spot of their own, which helps if they feel the cold or get nervous. Here are seven hooded, igloo and burrow-style beds on Amazon.co.uk, with honest notes on sizing, washing and the hoods that don't stay up.
Quick picks
- Best overallYAGE calming hooded donut dog bed for pets under 10kg, 65cm, greyCheck price
- Best igloo for toy breedsBedsure flannel hooded igloo bed, 44 × 44cm, dark greyCheck price
- Best for dogs that stretch outJOEJOY rectangular hooded dog bed with attached blanket, medium, 63 × 53cmCheck price
- Best for bigger small dogsSUOXU 2-in-1 hooded dog bed with wired rim support, 80cm, greyCheck price
- Best 3-in-1 for cats and tiny dogsAllPetSolutions 3-in-1 cube bed: igloo, sofa or flat mat, 35 × 35 × 35cm, greyCheck price
- Best foldable caveHollypet 2-in-1 foldable cave bed, coral velvet, large, 48 × 38cmCheck price
- Best for catsTRIXIE Minou cat cave with reversible cushion, 41 × 30 × 50cm, beige/brownCheck price
How we chose: We compared popular cave, igloo and hooded beds for small dogs and cats on Amazon.co.uk, checking each listing on 21 October 2026 (with a UK delivery postcode) for an add-to-cart button, the seller, the size and inner cave measurements, the maker's weight guide and the washing instructions. We looked for recurring themes in Amazon.co.uk owner feedback, especially sizing, whether the hood keeps its shape and how the bed survives the washing machine. Advice on safe spaces, cold weather and cats comes from Dogs Trust, the PDSA and Cats Protection. We have not personally tested these products; this is a research-based roundup. Our research process.
Small dogs lose heat faster than big ones, and many of them love to burrow: under cushions, under your duvet, into a pile of laundry. A cave bed gives them a hood or roof to tuck under, so they get the warmth and the feeling of being hidden without commandeering your bed. Dogs Trust says every dog needs a safe space where it can relax undisturbed, and many dogs feel safer when that space is snug.
The picks below cover the main styles: round donut beds with a hood, soft igloos, a foam cube, a rectangular bed with a burrowing blanket, and a cat cave. The most common complaints are a hood that slowly flattens and a bed that turns out smaller inside than expected, so check the inner cave size, not just the outside measurement.
Who this guide is for: Owners of small dogs, roughly up to 10kg (Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, miniature Dachshunds, toy poodles and small crossbreeds), especially dogs that burrow, feel the cold or get anxious. There are picks for cats too. For bigger dogs, see our dog beds for large dogs. A cave bed also makes a good Christmas present for a small dog: more ideas are in our gifts for dog lovers and Christmas gift guide.
Black Friday tip: Black Friday is Friday 27 November 2026, and Amazon UK has opened its Black Friday Week sale about a week earlier in recent years. Before you buy, check the product’s price history: our Black Friday home buying guide explains how to spot a genuine deal and which picks to watch.
Comparison table
| Pick | Style | Size | Pet size (maker) | Washing | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YAGE hooded donutBest overall | Round donut bed with foam-filled hood | 65cm across; cave inside about 50 × 25cm | Under 10kg | Whole bed machine washable; low tumble dry | Check price |
| Bedsure flannel igloo (44cm)Best igloo for toy breeds | Soft-sided igloo with removable cushion | 44 × 44 × 44cm | Sold as a cat bed; small pets | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low | Check price |
| JOEJOY hooded bed (M)Best for dogs that stretch out | Rectangular bolster bed with attached hooded blanket | 63 × 53 × 21cm (M) | Up to 13.6kg (M) | Machine washable (per JOEJOY) | Check price |
| SUOXU wired-hood bed (80cm)Best for bigger small dogs | Round bed with shapeable wired hood | Listed as 80 × 55cm | Under 20kg | Whole bed machine washable | Check price |
| AllPetSolutions 3-in-1 cubeBest 3-in-1 for cats and tiny dogs | Foam cube that converts to a sofa or mat | 35 × 35 × 35cm; 19cm entrance | Cats and small dog breeds | Whole bed machine washable at 30°C | Check price |
| Hollypet 2-in-1 (L)Best foldable cave | Soft cave that folds into a sofa | 48 × 38cm; entrance 27 × 17cm (L) | Under 10kg | Listing says hand wash (also says machine washable) | Check price |
| TRIXIE Minou cat caveBest for cats | Foam-walled cave with plush cover | 41 × 30 × 50cm (as listed) | Cats | Cover machine washable at 30°C | Check price |
Specs are from manufacturer listings as of 21 October 2026; claimed figures (running costs, runtimes) are the maker’s, not ours. Check the Amazon page for the current price and exact variant before you buy.
The picks in detail
YAGE calming hooded donut dog bed for pets under 10kg, 65cm, grey
Best for: Chihuahuas and other small dogs that curl up and like to be covered
- Style
- Round donut bed with foam-filled hood
- Size
- 65cm across; cave inside about 50 × 25cm
- Pet size (maker)
- Under 10kg
- Washing
- Whole bed machine washable; low tumble dry
A round, plush donut bed with a raised rim and a hood that's filled with foam so it stands up on its own. Stand the hood up for a cave, or fold it back and it becomes an ordinary donut bed with a head-and-neck rest. YAGE says to choose by the inner cave measurement (about 50 × 25cm), which is good advice for any cave bed. The whole bed goes in the washing machine, and the base has non-slip beads. It arrives vacuum-packed, so give it a shake and a day or two to fluff up. It's sold by a third-party seller (Langey, listed as the maker).
Owners say their pets love it, and Chihuahua owners come up again and again. Size gets mixed comments, with some saying it's smaller than expected, and the main complaint is that the bed doesn't hold its shape and the hood doesn't always stay up. If that worries you, YAGE also sells a version with support rods in the hood, although it has far fewer reviews so far.
What owners and reviewers like
- Popular with small-dog owners
- Hood folds back into a donut rim
- Whole bed machine washable
Watch-outs
- Hood can flop over time
- Mixed comments on size
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Bedsure flannel hooded igloo bed, 44 × 44cm, dark grey
Best for: Very small dogs and cats that like a proper roof over their head
- Style
- Soft-sided igloo with removable cushion
- Size
- 44 × 44 × 44cm
- Pet size (maker)
- Sold as a cat bed; small pets
- Washing
- Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
A soft flannel igloo with a removable cushion, a non-slip base and a carry strap. It folds down into a flat plush bed when your pet wants to stretch out. Bedsure says it can be machine washed on a cold cycle and tumble dried on low, and the listing shows OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification for the fabric. There's a toy ball dangling at the entrance, which you may want to remove if your dog chews. It's sold by Bedsure's own store, and there's a smaller 40 × 40cm version.
It's sold mainly as a cat bed, so it's for the smallest dogs only: measure first. Owners say it's comfortable, looks as pictured and is good value, and many say their cats love it. Size and sturdiness get mixed comments: some say it's too small or flimsy. If you'd rather buy from Amazon itself, the Petface bamboo plush igloo (40 × 40 × 35cm) is a similar idea, and owners say it holds its shape well.
What owners and reviewers like
- Huge owner base
- Folds flat into an open bed
- Removable, washable cushion
Watch-outs
- Too small for most dogs over a few kilos
- Some find it flimsy
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JOEJOY rectangular hooded dog bed with attached blanket, medium, 63 × 53cm
Best for: Small dogs that burrow at bedtime but sprawl the rest of the time
- Style
- Rectangular bolster bed with attached hooded blanket
- Size
- 63 × 53 × 21cm (M)
- Pet size (maker)
- Up to 13.6kg (M)
- Washing
- Machine washable (per JOEJOY)
Rather than a stiff hood, this bed has a soft flannel blanket attached to it, which your dog burrows under to make its own cave. Underneath is a rectangular bed with raised sides that double as a headrest, so there's more room to stretch out than in a round donut bed. JOEJOY says it's machine washable, and it arrives vacuum-packed. JOEJOY also says it isn't chew resistant. It's sold by a third-party seller (LOTGAILL).
Owners overwhelmingly say their dogs love it and that it looks smart. Softness and value get mixed comments: some say it's amazingly soft, others that it lacks padding. The zip that holds the blanket is the big weak point. Some like being able to fold the cover back, but others say it opens as soon as the dog burrows or broke quickly. There are also reports of rips.
What owners and reviewers like
- Room to stretch out
- Blanket-style hood suits burrowers
- Dogs love it, owners say
Watch-outs
- Zip complaints
- Some say it's thinly padded
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SUOXU 2-in-1 hooded dog bed with wired rim support, 80cm, grey
Best for: Dogs up to about 20kg that have outgrown the 50–65cm beds
- Style
- Round bed with shapeable wired hood
- Size
- Listed as 80 × 55cm
- Pet size (maker)
- Under 20kg
- Washing
- Whole bed machine washable
The edge of the plush hood has aluminium wire in it, so you can bend it into shape to make a cave that doesn't collapse, or lay it flat as a warm blanket. That tackles the most common complaint about hooded beds. It has a raised rim, thick PP cotton (fibre) filling and a non-slip base, and SUOXU says the whole bed is machine washable. It's sold by SUOXU's own store.
This is the biggest bed here, so it suits a larger small dog or a small dog that likes lots of room. The Amazon review summary is shared with SUOXU's other hooded beds on the same listing, so it isn't all about this size. Owners say it's soft and comfortable and suits anxious pets who like to curl up and feel protected. Size and sturdiness get mixed comments (some say it's narrower than expected), and some say their cats won't go near it.
What owners and reviewers like
- Wired hood holds its shape
- Room for dogs up to 20kg
- Fully machine washable
Watch-outs
- Pricier than most here
- Review summary shared across sizes
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AllPetSolutions 3-in-1 cube bed: igloo, sofa or flat mat, 35 × 35 × 35cm, grey
Best for: Cats and toy breeds, and homes that want one bed for all seasons
- Style
- Foam cube that converts to a sofa or mat
- Size
- 35 × 35 × 35cm; 19cm entrance
- Pet size (maker)
- Cats and small dog breeds
- Washing
- Whole bed machine washable at 30°C
Flexible foam walls hold this cube's shape but fold down, so you can use it as an enclosed cave with a 19cm entrance hole, an open sofa or a flat padded mat. It has a soft suede-like lining and a reversible cushion, and the listing says the whole bed is machine washable at 30°C. It's sold by AllPetSolutions' own store.
Owners say it's comfortable, cosy and versatile, and one says it's big enough for a large cat. Value gets mixed comments, and some pets won't go near it. At 35cm, it really is only for the smallest dogs, so check your dog can walk through a 19cm hole and turn round inside without squeezing.
What owners and reviewers like
- Foam walls hold their shape
- Three ways to use it
- Whole bed machine washable
Watch-outs
- Only for very small dogs
- Some pets ignore it
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Hollypet 2-in-1 foldable cave bed, coral velvet, large, 48 × 38cm
Best for: Small dogs that want a wide doorway, and owners who like to switch to an open bed
- Style
- Soft cave that folds into a sofa
- Size
- 48 × 38cm; entrance 27 × 17cm (L)
- Pet size (maker)
- Under 10kg
- Washing
- Listing says hand wash (also says machine washable)
A soft coral velvet cave with a wide 27 × 17cm entrance and a PP cotton cushion. Fold the roof down and it becomes an open sofa bed. Washing instructions on the listing are contradictory: one section says hand wash in cool water, another says machine washable. So check the care label when it arrives and expect to treat it gently. It's sold by Hollypet's store (HollyHOME Global).
Owners say it's comfortable and their pets enjoy it, with Dachshund owners mentioned in particular. Size, cushion and sturdiness all get mixed comments. Some say it's spacious and holds its shape, while others say it's too small, the cushion is lumpy or the roof collapses.
What owners and reviewers like
- Wide entrance
- Folds into an open sofa bed
- Popular with Dachshund owners
Watch-outs
- Unclear washing instructions
- Some say the roof collapses
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TRIXIE Minou cat cave with reversible cushion, 41 × 30 × 50cm, beige/brown
Best for: Cats, and tiny dogs that share the house with one
- Style
- Foam-walled cave with plush cover
- Size
- 41 × 30 × 50cm (as listed)
- Pet size (maker)
- Cats
- Washing
- Cover machine washable at 30°C
A simple cat cave from the German pet brand TRIXIE, with foam walls, a fluffy plush cover, a reversible fleece-filled cushion and a reinforced non-slip underside. TRIXIE says the cover can be washed at 30°C and keeps its shape, and the listing shows a two-year manufacturer guarantee. It's sold by Amazon.
Owners say it's roomy (some say big enough for more than one cat), well padded, very soft and warm on cold days, and one says their cat doesn't want to get out of it. It's designed for cats, so it only suits the very smallest dogs.
What owners and reviewers like
- Sold by Amazon
- Two-year guarantee listed
- Owners say it's roomy and warm
Watch-outs
- Designed for cats
- Plain look
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How to measure your dog for a cave bed
Measure your dog curled up asleep, not standing. Measure across the widest part of the curl, then compare that with the inside of the bed: the floor of the cave, inside the rim. Makers often quote the outside size, and a thick rim can take 10–15cm off a donut bed. YAGE, for example, quotes 65cm across but about 50 × 25cm inside the cave.
- Height: your dog should be able to sit up and turn round under the hood without pushing it up with its back.
- Entrance: igloos and cubes have a fixed doorway (19cm on the AllPetSolutions cube), so check your dog can walk in without squeezing.
- Weight guides are rough: a long-backed 7kg Dachshund needs more length than a compact 7kg terrier.
- If in doubt, size up a little: Dogs Trust says a safe space should be snug but still big enough for your dog to stand up and stretch out.
Many dogs like both: a cave bed for sleeping and a flat bed or blanket for stretching out when they're warm. A cave bed is a retreat, not a cage, so your dog should always be able to get in and out on its own.
Washing: what to check before you buy
Small beds get grubby quickly, and the bed you can wash easily is the one that stays clean. There are three main types:
- Whole bed in the machine: the YAGE, SUOXU and AllPetSolutions beds. These are the easiest, but bulky donut beds need a big drum and a long time to dry.
- Removable cushion: the Bedsure and Petface igloos and the TRIXIE cave. Wash the cushion or cover, and spot-clean the shell.
- Hand wash or unclear: the Hollypet listing says hand wash. Read the care label when it arrives.
Wash on a cool, gentle cycle, then shake and fluff the filling while it dries so it doesn't clump. Plush beds dry faster on a heated clothes airer than in a cold utility room. Between washes, a cordless vacuum with a pet tool lifts hair from the plush. For muddy dogs, a quick rub with a dog drying coat or towel before bed keeps the cushion cleaner for longer. Buying a second bed, or a spare cover where available, means there's always a dry one ready.
Cave beds for nervous dogs
Dogs Trust says every dog needs a safe space of its own, somewhere warm, cosy and free from draughts, where it won't be disturbed. Many dogs feel safer when the space is snug, and some like to be fully covered. A cave bed is a ready-made version of that, and you can put it in a quiet corner, under a desk or inside a crate with the door fixed open.
With Bonfire Night and New Year fireworks coming, set the bed up now, not on the night. The PDSA suggests making a den a few weeks before fireworks season so your dog learns it's a nice place: add treats, toys and a blanket that smells of home, and keep water nearby. Never force your dog in, shut it inside or pull it out, and ask everyone (especially children) to leave it alone while it's in there. If your dog is very frightened by noises, talk to your vet.
A hood that collapses on a nervous dog can put it off the bed for good. If that's a worry, choose a bed with a structured hood (the SUOXU wired hood, the YAGE version with support rods, or a foam igloo) rather than a floppy one.
Keeping a cold dog warm
The PDSA says small, young, old, thin and poorly pets are at higher risk of getting dangerously cold because they can't control their body temperature as well. It recommends a warm, comfy bed in a draught-free part of the house, extra bedding and, for high-risk pets, a heat mat for the bed. It also notes that small breeds such as Chihuahuas and small terriers feel the cold quickly outdoors.
- Position: keep the bed off cold tiles and away from outside doors. If the bed has to sit near the front door, a draught excluder helps.
- Dry first: a damp dog in a cave bed stays damp. Towel or coat them dry after wet walks.
- Extra warmth: a microwavable pad such as the SnuggleSafe pet heat pad (SnuggleSafe says it stays warm for up to 10 hours, with no wires) can go under the cushion. Always use its cover and follow the instructions.
- Don't overdo it: enclosed beds hold heat. Make sure your dog can move away from a heat pad and get out of the bed, and fold the hood back in warm weather.
Cave beds for cats (and homes with cats and dogs)
Cats love igloo beds too. Cats Protection says cats should have somewhere to hide that is quiet, covered (it gives an igloo bed as an example), away from food, water and litter trays and, ideally, up high, because cats often feel safer off the ground. It also suggests putting something that smells of your cat, such as a blanket it has slept on, inside a new bed it's ignoring.
In a home with a dog, put the cat's cave somewhere the dog can't reach, such as a shelf, the top of a sturdy unit or a room the dog doesn't use, so the cat has a proper escape. The TRIXIE cave, Bedsure igloo and AllPetSolutions cube all suit cats. If you'd like natural materials, the felted MEOWFIA merino wool cat cave has a huge number of Amazon reviews, and Meowfia says the medium size suits cats up to 4.5kg. It's made for cats rather than dogs.
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FAQs
What size cave bed does a Chihuahua need?
Measure your Chihuahua curled up asleep and compare that with the inside of the cave, not the outside size. Chihuahua owners often mention the YAGE, which has an inner cave of about 50 × 25cm, but Chihuahuas vary a lot in size. Check that yours can lie curled up on the cave floor and sit up under the hood.
Are cave beds good for dogs?
For dogs that like to burrow, feel the cold or get anxious, a cave bed can give them a warm, secure place to retreat to. Dogs Trust says every dog needs a safe space of its own. Make sure your dog can always get in and out easily, and give them a flat bed too if they like to stretch out.
Why does my dog like sleeping under blankets?
Many small dogs, especially terriers, Dachshunds and Chihuahuas, like to burrow because it's warm and feels secure. A hooded or blanket-style cave bed gives them that without taking over your bed or sofa.
Can you wash a cave bed in the washing machine?
Many can. The YAGE, SUOXU and AllPetSolutions beds are listed as machine washable as a whole, while igloos like the Bedsure and TRIXIE have a removable cushion or cover. Always follow the care label, wash cool and gently, and dry the bed thoroughly before your dog uses it again.
Can a cat use a dog cave bed?
Yes. Most small cave beds are sold for cats and small dogs, and Cats Protection recommends covered beds such as igloos as hiding places for cats. Put a cat's bed somewhere quiet and, ideally, raised, especially if you also have a dog.
Do you get commission?
Yes. If you buy through our links, Amazon may pay us a small commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn't affect which products we include. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Sources we consulted
- Dogs Trust: creating a safe space for your dog
- PDSA: dogs and fireworks (making a den)
- PDSA: hypothermia in pets
- PDSA: does my dog need to wear a coat on winter walks?
- Cats Protection: cats hiding
- Cats Protection: how to choose the best cat bed
Prices change constantly, so we don’t list them here. Always check the current price, seller and delivery details on Amazon before buying. If anything on this page looks wrong or out of date, tell us.
