A bed can have excellent foam and the right dimensions, but still be poorly suited to an older or less mobile dog if getting in and out requires an uncomfortable step over a high edge.
Why this gets overlooked
Padding and cushioning are the more obvious selling points. Entry height gets far less attention, even though recognised guidance is much more consistent on this point than on almost any numerical spec. The RSPCA specifically recommends an orthopaedic or memory foam bed that a dog can get in and out of easily [1]. And the COAST Development Group's veterinary consensus guidelines on managing canine osteoarthritis list facilitating access to high or low areas, using ramps or steps where needed, as a recommended environmental modification for dogs with moderate to severe joint disease [2].
Neither source gives an exact height figure. Buying guides commonly repeat specific measurements — often "under 4 inches" — but we haven't found a primary or recognised technical source establishing this as a universal threshold. We therefore don't think it should be presented as an established standard.
What actually seems to matter
High sides can create an unnecessary obstacle. Deep padded sides can feel secure and give a dog somewhere to rest their head, but for a dog with reduced mobility, having to step over the same high edge every time they enter or leave the bed may make access more difficult. That doesn't mean bolsters are a design flaw — plenty of dogs like using them to rest their head or lean against. It simply means the design also needs an accessible way in.
A lower entry doesn't mean giving up bolsters entirely. A bed doesn't necessarily need to have no sides at all. Bolsters can provide somewhere to lean or rest the head, while a lower or open section gives a less mobile dog a route in and out without negotiating the full height of the surrounding sides. The important thing is whether your particular dog can enter and leave comfortably.
The area around the bed matters too. COAST's environmental recommendations extend beyond bedding itself, including addressing hard or slippery floor surfaces as a problem area worth modifying [2]. As a practical extension of that principle, secure footing right around the bed is worth considering alongside the bed itself — a non-slip base, or a suitable mat underneath, can help prevent the bed shifting as the dog gets in or out, though this specific suggestion is our own practical extension rather than a direct COAST recommendation.
What to check before buying
- Does the bed provide at least one comfortably accessible entry point, rather than being enclosed on all sides at the same height?
- Does your dog have to step over a substantial bolster every time they get in or out?
- Does the bed stay securely in place when your dog steps onto it?
- If your dog already has reduced mobility, can they enter, turn, and leave without visibly struggling?
There isn't a single entry height that works for every dog. A step that's easy for one dog may be difficult for another, so your own dog's mobility matters more than an arbitrary published number.
If you're also weighing up size and foam construction, we've covered those separately: What Size Bed Does Your Large Dog Actually Need? and What Makes an Orthopaedic Dog Bed Actually Supportive?
Compare shape, access and sleeping space
Explore our dog beds and look at each entrance alongside the dimensions and construction. If you need an entrance measurement that isn't listed, ask us before ordering.
Sources
[1] RSPCA. "Choosing the right bed for your dog." rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/environment/dogbeds
[2] Cachon, T. et al. (2023). "COAST Development Group's international consensus guidelines for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis." Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10, 1137888. doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1137888
