BarksBar's Snuggly Sleeper Orthopedic Dog Bed is a Worthy Splurge

We purchased the BarksBar Snuggly Sleeper Orthopedic Dog Bed so our reviewer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

As a work-from-home dog mom, I spend a good chunk of my day watching my adorable bichon-poodle, Harry, sleep (and snore) in the silliest of positions. This 20-pound prince can contort his body in all sorts of crazy positions, which got me thinking: Maybe Harry could benefit from an orthopedic dog bed.

 I’m all about splurging on Harry. We’ve gone through three beds in search of the perfect sleeper, so when I saw the BarksBar Snuggly Sleeper’s price tag—around $55 for the medium-sized bed—I hardly balked. I’ve always wanted to get him a memory foam bed he couldn’t live without, and a recent move was my perfect excuse. Did Harry love the bed as much as I did? And is human-grade memory foam really necessary for a dog? Read on to see. 

Design: Cozy, human-grade memory foam

Since Harry didn’t have the best upbringing—I rescued him at six months—I’ve spent the rest of his life making up for his mistreatment with splurges like soft blankets, homemade dog treats, and the BarksBar Snuggly Sleeper dog bed. I was drawn to this bed’s human-grade memory foam, which is as cushy in real life as they make it sound online. The solid orthopedic foam is what separates the BarksBar Snuggly Sleeper from every other dog bed on the market. The supportive foam not only ensures comfort, but it reduces joint pain—a game changer for senior dogs and those with arthritis. 

Just like humans like their pillows, pups need a place to rest their heads. The BarksBar Snuggly Sleeper is constructed of ultra-soft polyester and features cotton-padded walls which are intended to provide extra support to your pup’s head and neck. While he hasn’t technically told me, I can tell Harry feels more secure in beds with high, padded walls. When given the choice, he always prefers these to cushy mats and carpets.

Not necessarily important to Harry, but I was also a fan of the rubber-grip bottom. It kept the bed from sliding all over our hardwood floors while he jumped in and out. 

One of the main flaws of this bed is that it only comes in sizes medium and large. The first measures 32 x 22 x 10 inches, while the latter is 40 x 30 x 10 inches. Harry, being a 20-pound dog, can fit in the medium, but there’s a lot of extra room (that I fill with toys—of course). When my mom’s 10-pound Havanese came to visit, the bed was just way too big for her to get comfortable. Unlike Harry, it seemed like she felt exposed, rather than secure. For this reason, we wouldn’t recommend the bed to those with toy breeds—unless you have a few pups who enjoy cuddling up together. 

Based on measurements, the medium bed is best suited to breeds in the 30 to 40-pound range, like Whippets, Beagles, and Cocker Spaniels. The large is ideal for bigger breeds that don’t exceed 100 pounds, including German Shepherds, Labrador Retrivers, Boxers, and Huskies. 

Care: Easy to clean

With a removable, machine-washable cover, it’s easy to care for the BarksBar bed. I noticed a few minor stains on the bed after one week of use—Harry took a treat or two in bed with him—but I was able to get rid of those quickly with my go-to pet carpet cleaner rather than having to wash the whole thing. 

Word to the wise: When you do wash the cover, don’t machine dry it—this can mess up the fabric. Instead, let it air dry before slipping it back on.

Price: A splurge for most

Does Harry—or any dog—really need a $55 memory foam bed? Some would argue not. I could’ve purchased a lot of other things for $55 (or I could’ve saved said money), but then again, the happiness I feel while watching him comfortably doze off is worth it. The fact the cover is machine washable also adds to its value. 

Competition: Multiple memory-foam splurges to choose from

AsFrost Dog Bed: The BarksBar Snuggly Sleeper and the AsFrost Dog Bed appear nearly identical. Both have soft polyester material, memory foam padding, and padded walls. The AsFrost Dog Bed has a removable, machine-washable cover, too. The main difference between these two beds comes down to color—the AsFrost bed comes in dark blue and grey while the BarksBar bed comes only in grey. Both average around $55 to $60 for a medium bed.

JOYELF Orthopedic Dog Bed: The JOYELF Orthopedic Dog Bed is about the same price as the BarksBar Snuggly Sleeper (around $60 for a medium), and it also has memory foam padding. This one looks quite different, though, with soft fleece material on the interior of the bed and walls. The JOYELF bed also comes in three sizes—small, medium, and large—which range from $40 to $70. A free dog toy also comes with each purchase.