Last Updated: October 2026
Key Takeaways
- An elevated dog bed is a frame with a taut fabric surface on short legs. It lifts your dog off the floor so air can move underneath.
- About 49% of Australian households own a dog, around 7.4 million dogs, so summer comfort matters to a lot of people.
- Australia has warmed by about 1.51 °C since 1910, and extreme heat events are now more frequent.
- The RSPCA says dogs need a cool, shaded area with good ventilation at all times in hot weather.
- Our in-stock pick is the Pet Bed Elevated – Large: 130 cm wide, 20 cm high, holds up to 45 kg, AUD 57.23.
An elevated dog bed is a raised frame with a fabric surface stretched across it. It keeps your dog off hot pavers, cold tiles and damp grass, and it lets air move under the body. In an Aussie summer that airflow is the main reason people choose one. This guide covers five benefits, what to check before you buy, and the beds we stock.
What Is an Elevated Dog Bed?
A raised dog bed is a sleeping platform that sits on short legs, usually 15 to 25 cm off the ground. The sleeping surface is a tight sheet of mesh or woven fabric, not foam or fibre fill. Because nothing sits under your dog except air, the bed does not trap heat the way a cushion can.
Most raised beds use a steel or aluminium frame and clip together without tools. They suit verandahs, patios, laundries and garages, and you will find more options in our outdoor dog beds range. Many owners pair one with a cooling mat or a soft bed indoors, so the dog can pick the spot that feels best on the day.
Why Heat Matters for Australian Dogs
Dogs are now in nearly half of Australian homes. The 2025 Pets in Australia survey found 49.3% of households have at least one dog, about 5.24 million households and 7.37 million dogs.[1] Families with children are even more likely to have one, at 66%. That is a lot of dogs coping with long, hot summers.
Australian summers are getting hotter. The Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO report that Australia has warmed by 1.51 ± 0.23 °C since national records began in 1910, with most of that warming since 1950.[2] They also report more frequent extreme heat events, felt from Darwin and Brisbane to Perth, Adelaide and western Sydney. Every decade since 1950 has been warmer than the one before.[5]
Minimising the risk of heatstroke involves addressing the risk factors… and giving access to a cool, shaded area with good ventilation at all times. — RSPCA Knowledgebase[3]
The RSPCA also notes that bare ground and even brown grass can get hot enough to warm a dog lying on it.[3] A raised bed is one simple way to put space between your dog and that ground. It is not a medical product, and it does not replace shade, water and a cool room.
If you can’t hold the back of your hand to the pavement outside for more than a few seconds, it’s too hot for your pet. — RSPCA Australia[4]
5 Elevated Dog Bed Benefits for Hot Aussie Summers
A raised bed helps in summer in five practical ways: airflow, distance from hot ground, easy cleaning, quick drying and portability. None of these is a health claim. They are simple features of the design that make a bed easier to live with when the weather turns hot.
1. Airflow Under Your Dog
A raised mesh surface lets air move under your dog from every side. Good ventilation matters because, as the RSPCA explains, many animals cool down by panting, and panting needs good airflow.[4] A flat cushion on concrete has no air gap at all.
2. Space Between Your Dog and Hot Ground
Pavers, decking and concrete hold heat late into the evening. Our elevated bed sits 20 cm high, so your dog is not lying directly on those surfaces. Place it in full shade, because a raised bed in the sun will still get warm.
3. Easy to Hose Down
There is no stuffing to soak up dirt, hair or smells. You can brush the fabric, wipe it or hose it down in the yard. That makes a raised bed a good fit for outdoor dogs, muddy dogs and homes with more than one pet.
4. Dries Quickly After Rain
Mesh and woven fabric drain and dry much faster than a foam bed. After a summer storm, water runs straight through and the bed is usable again quickly. Keep it under a verandah or roof to make the fabric last longer.
5. Light and Easy to Move
Most raised beds weigh only a few kilos. Our large model weighs 3.15 kg, so you can carry it from the yard to the laundry when a hot afternoon arrives. That makes it easy to follow the shade as it moves.
Elevated Dog Bed vs Cooling Bed vs Cooling Mat
A raised bed, a cooling bed and a cooling mat solve slightly different problems. A raised bed gives airflow and distance from the ground. A cooling bed adds a cool-to-the-touch top on a padded base. A gel mat is thin and portable, and works on a floor, crate or car seat.
Prices are current Mindiampets prices on 14 October 2026 and can change. Many owners use two: a raised bed outside and a cooling mat inside. Our guide to dog cooling mats compares mat types in more detail.
Our Pick: Pet Bed Elevated – Large
The Pet Bed Elevated – Large is the raised bed we stock. It is 130 cm wide, 90 cm deep and 20 cm high, and holds dogs up to 45 kg. The cover is 109 × 90 cm. It weighs 3.15 kg, comes in green and needs simple assembly. It costs AUD 57.23.
- Large sleeping area suits medium to large breeds
- 20 cm height keeps your dog off hot or damp ground
- Easy to clean, with no stuffing
- Light enough to move into the shade
- No padding, so add a blanket for dogs that like a soft bed
- Needs assembly
- Only one colour (green)
Best for: medium and large dogs, such as Labradors, Kelpies, Border Collies and Golden Retrievers, that spend time outside on a verandah, patio or in the yard.
What to Look For When Buying an Elevated Dog Bed
When you shop, check five things: size, weight limit, height, fabric and frame. Getting the size and weight limit right matters most. A bed that is too small or overloaded will sag and your dog will not use it. The checklist below covers each point.
- Size: measure your dog lying stretched out and add 15 to 20 cm.
- Weight limit: pick a bed rated above your dog’s weight. Ours is rated to 45 kg.
- Height: 15 to 25 cm keeps air moving under the bed.
- Fabric: breathable mesh or woven fabric that you can hose down.
- Frame: a rust-resistant frame with non-slip feet for decks and tiles.
Older dogs may prefer memory foam beds for large dogs, and dogs that like to curl up often settle best in a calming bed with raised sides. See our guides to luxury dog beds and supportive beds for softer options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are elevated dog beds good for summer?
Yes, a raised bed suits summer because air can move under your dog and the bed is off hot ground. Put it in full shade and keep fresh water nearby, as the RSPCA recommends.[4]
What size elevated dog bed do I need?
Measure your dog lying stretched out, nose to base of tail, and add 15 to 20 cm. Check the weight limit too, and choose a bed rated above your dog’s weight. Our large raised bed is 130 × 90 cm and holds dogs up to 45 kg.
Can I use a raised dog bed indoors?
Yes. Raised beds work well in laundries, garages and on tiled floors, and they lift your dog off cold tiles in winter too. Add non-slip pads or a mat underneath if your floors are smooth, and check the frame feet will not scratch timber.
How do I clean a raised dog bed?
Brush off loose hair first, then wipe the fabric with a damp cloth or hose it down outside. Use a mild pet-safe wash for dirt, then rinse well. Let the bed dry in the shade before your dog uses it again, and check the frame joints every few months.
Do elevated beds replace shade and water?
No. A raised bed is only one part of keeping your dog comfortable. The RSPCA says dogs need shade, water and good ventilation at all times in hot weather, and you should never leave a dog in a car.[4]
The Bottom Line
A raised bed is a simple, low-cost way to give your dog airflow and a spot off hot ground this summer. Pair it with shade, water and a cooling mat indoors. You can shop the Pet Bed Elevated – Large now for AUD 57.23.