Wow, OP I think I will try your idea the next time my dog's bed needs washing and see how he likes it! Thanks for the idea!

Anonymous wrote:OP here: is the mattress itself waterproof? My problem with all dogbeds has been the inner pad get smelly.

A proper mattress would be better but I would think it would have to have a waterproof barrier, or a cover UNDER the cover the pet sleeps on. Kind of like putting a mattress pad over your own mattress before putting on the sheets.

PP here with the doggy mattresses. The mattress itself did not get wet or smelly when my dog has thrown up on it twice (and presumably left it there all day until I got home to clean it). However, I would just buy a full or queen size mattress pad (I think twin would not be wide enough for the big size that I have) and cut it down to size.

What I really love about them is that they give the dog good support because they are actual mattresses, not just lumps of stuffing that companies throw together and charge an arm and a leg for, and they are refurbished from people mattresses. Also, at the ~$50 price, I'd have no problem replacing it if it did get wet/musty.

OP ~ you have a good idea. I had bought styrofoam beans - used in bean bag chairs (you can buy bags of these at Kmart) and stuffed them into pillowcases.

Your best and cheapest option is using a waterproof baby crib mattress.

I have elderly, incontinent dogs. When my son transitioned to a real bed, I thought, what can I use this waterproof mattress for or should I just get rid of it. Then it dawned on me - use it as a dog bed!

I bought nice looking fitted crib sheets for it, and when my dogs tinkle on it, I just wash the sheet and wipe off the mattress. Easy as pie. It basically looks exactly like the expensive rectangular "orthopedic" dog bed that we had before that I spent so much money on, and was impossible to clean as it was just a foam square that had a non-waterproof cover.

But yeah the price is great for what the quality looks to be!

OP here: is the mattress itself waterproof? My problem with all dogbeds has been the inner pad get smelly.

A proper mattress would be better but I would think it would have to have a waterproof barrier, or a cover UNDER the cover the pet sleeps on. Kind of like putting a mattress pad over your own mattress before putting on the sheets.

Dogma Pet Beds! http://www.svdp.us/what-we-do/recycling-and-manufacturing/dogma-dog-beds/

They're made near Portland, OR from old mattresses and therefore recycled. They come with covers that are easily removed and washable (which has saved us a few times). They are so cheap for the size and quality! I paid $45 when I bought my (100 pound) dog's first at a local pet shop while I was in Portland two summers ago, and the second we ordered through the phone for a foster dog just about 6 months ago. It was I think $55 shipped. And these are for the biggest size possible! Never previously could I find the big dog beds for less than $100, and certainly not of this caliber. I LOVE them and the dogs do too. They are actually miniature mattresses.

If you have a really big dog you might be able to put two king cases in a pile and let them move it so its comfy.

OR you could use a twin duvet cover or a king sham. I just found one in my linen closet that I didnt even know I had- came with a gift set. The thing is huge- would work for a 50 lb dog.

I have two dogs: a small (10lb) and medium (30lb). Over the years I have tried different dog beds, from the all in one piece, to the removable covers, to the cedar inner pad, etc etc.

ALL become smelly and impossible to clean at some point.

One day I had an idea: I took a pillow case and stuffed it with other old pillowcases, tied off the end with a string, and plopped it onto the floor for my pom. She LOVED it- scraping on it till the lumps were in the right places. Slept on it with perfect contentment. When it was time to wash, i just took all the pillow cases out, washed all of them together with an added scoop of oxiclean, dried them and then re-assembled. VOILA! Brand new _super fresh smelling_ completely clean through and through dog bed.

No "inner lining" that gets dander in it that never comes out. No awkward canvas-like cover that doesnt really wash right. No dog hair clinging to it.

I did the same for my cat, making a bed for her with an old pillowcase with a folded old towel inside. I didnt tie that one off, didnt need to. And it lays flat which she prefers, but its WARM and CLEAN. She loves it.

For my larger dog I used a king size pillow case with an old sheet inside. It seems the semi lumpy texture is appealing to the dogs, while for the cat, the flat towel is the way to go.

You could use really any old towels, hand towels, washcloths, old baby bedding sheets, etc.

The key is all the stuff washes easily and can be washed together in one load.

Hope this works for someone else!

The gross smelly dog bed is a thing of the past!