Don’t Let Pets Destroy Your Bedding. Use These Tips Instead.

Updated February 7, 2023

We reviewed this article and we stand behind our advice.

Jackie Reeve

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As first-time puppy parents, my husband and I were so naive: We hilariously believed that our mini poodle mix, Hamilton, would never set foot in our master bedroom. But within a month of our bringing him home, that delusion disappeared, and we gained a furry bunkmate. In the six years since, I’ve picked up some hard-earned lessons about keeping our bed a clean, comfortable place to sleep. The following simple strategies (including tips from other Wirecutter pet owners) and a few durable Wirecutter picks should help anyone who has four-legged bedmates.

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.

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 $35 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. Brooklinen's Classic Duvet Cover is the most affordable cover we currently recommend for your comforter, and it's durable. I’ve been using one since 2016—the same year we got our dog—and it's still undamaged despite his chewing and burrowing.

If you’re worried about damaging your bedding, though, or if you’re tired of cleaning pet hair (or worse) from it, 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 senior staff writer Kaitlyn Wells. Our recommendation, L.L.Bean's Wicked Plush Throw, comes in two sizes, usually costs about $30 to $40, and is beloved at my house by human and dog alike. 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).

This inexpensive fitted mattress protector is one of the few that stayed fully waterproof through our tests. It's comfortable to sleep on and inexpensive.

*At the time of publishing, the price was $34.

High quality at a fantastic price. These sheets wrinkle more and are less breathable than other sateens we’ve tested, but they’re just as soft as some we’ve tested that cost triple.

Wirecutter senior editor Harry Sawyers's dog sleeps on a throw pillow inside a quilted sham at the foot of the humans’ bed. "It's like her little sublet," Harry says. His wife, Haiyen, adds, "She loves it so much. We have to practically beg her to sleep next to us, and eventually she still goes back to her bed." If you want a ready-made pet bed that's machine-washable, try our pick for dogs, the Majestic Pet Products Suede Bagel Dog Bed or one of our favorite beds for cats, the Best Friends by Sheri OrthoComfort Deep Dish Cuddler. Wash them frequently in hot water to help keep fleas (which tend to love pet beds) away. To encourage your pet to use the bed, Kaitlyn, writer of many of Wirecutter's pets guides, suggests giving them treats and praising them when they do, or even adding a K & H Pet Products Pet Bed Warmer to mimic the heat they’d get from human contact.

Dogs will love curling up in this cuddler-style bed, with its pillowy raised sides and soft (yet washable) microsuede material. This one's great for most dogs—except for those prone to chewing.

We recommend this bed for large cats, a pair of cats who love to cuddle, or senior cats who need extra support.

*At the time of publishing, the price was $28.

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