We’ve tried and tested many of the best dog blankets that will keep your pup warm and snug

Pawsitively plush to make the cosiest of canines.

Best dog blankets

by Rosie Floyd |
Updated on

Now the weather’s changing, and there’s a chill in the air; only the best dog blankets will do to keep your pooch nice and toasty. A cosy blanket can make all the difference to your dog’s comfort at this time of year, as they’re great for adding extra warmth to your pup’s bed. Even if it’s not cold outside, some hounds just appreciate the additional snuggly layer in their dog bed, making it an even dreamier place to curl up and get some much-needed shut-eye. As well as being a hit for your furry friend, they’re also great for us dog owners, as you can pop them on your sofas, car seats or wherever else your pooch has chosen as a napping spot in your house to make it cosier while protecting them from scratches and pet hair.

There are a number of reasons why dogs love having a blanket on their bed. Dogs like to get cosy, just like us humans do, and love the feeling of being wrapped in warmth, especially smaller doggos or those with thinner coats who may feel the cold more easily. Dog blankets can also provide an extra layer of cushioning for dogs with arthritis or other health conditions that may cause joint or muscle pain. Having a blanket in your dog's bed may also allow them to satisfy any natural desires they may have as they can burrow themselves inside.

Best dog blankets at a glance:

The benefits of dog blankets go beyond just warmth and comfort. They’re a great tool for helping anxious or stressed dogs to settle. A blanket that smells of a familiar scent, such as you or your home, can help soothe them when they’re feeling worried. If you travel regularly with your pooch, putting a blanket from home in with their travel dog bed can provide your hound with a sense of security and help them feel safe and secure in new environments a lot quicker.

Now that we’ve explored the many reasons and benefits of getting a blanket for dogs, it’s time to find the paw-fect one for your furry friend. Our guide will help you discover the best dog blanket options to suit your dog’s needs, that have either been tried and tested by our resident Take a Break Pets pooches or come highly recommended by real-life pet owners online. We’ve also got expert advice from Ciara Pollen, a Behaviour and Training Advisor at Woodgreen Pets Charity, in our FAQs section, who answers all your questions relating to dog blankets.

Best dog blankets

Best fluffy dog blanket

Credit: Rosie Floyd/Take a Break Pets

Oh-so-soft and oh-so-snuggly, the OHS Pet Calming Fluffy Throw will help to create an inviting environment your dog won't ever want to leave. It has a fluffy-esque texture on one side that will feel ever so gentle against your pup's fur and skin, and on the other side, it has a soft backing.

As both sides are quite soft, you may find the blanket is a little slippy on hard floors if you've got a pup that makes a habit of taking all their bedding out of their bed. Our Senior Writer, Rosie Floyd, tested this blanket with her three pooches, Bella, Barney and Gina. The blanket is even the same colour as Bella the Cockapoo so on more than one occasion, she's mistaken the blanket for Bella because they both look equally as fluffy. She and the pups love how soft this blanket is, but because it is fluffy, it does shed little bits of fur around. However, if you're cleaning up after your pup's fur on a daily basis, adding some more to the mix won't make a difference. Rosie found that it maintained its softness even after washing it, too - what a winner!

Pros

  • Super soft and cuddly for your pup
  • We found that it still maintained its softness even after washing

Cons

  • We found that it does shed bits of fluff
Size:105 x 90cm

Best dog blanket for large dogs

Credit: Rosie Floyd/Take a Break Pets

Another super cosy option is the Doodlebone Faux Fur Dog Blanket. As you can imagine, being made from faux fur on one side and super-silky polyester on the other, it's blissfully soft, so it's ideal for keeping your pup comfortable and warm. As it's double-sided, it also feels nice and thick, which is paw-fect for snuggling, but some smaller dogs may find the thickness too heavy for them if they're wrapped up underneath it.

When testing this blanket, the thing that stood out for Rosie Floyd, our Senior Writer, is just how big this blanket is. Being 1 x 1.5 metres, it could easily cover an entire two-seater sofa but would be just as nice for your dog to lay on in the car, in their create all folded up, or in their dog bed scrunched up so your pup can bury themselves inside. Its overall size makes it a great option for big dogs, but smaller dogs will also like to curl up around it too.

Pros

  • A good size, so great for covering furniture and car seats
  • Feels super-silky and snuggly

Cons

  • As it's quite thick, smaller dogs may find it too heavy to curl up inside it
Size:100 x 150cm

Best for car travel

Credit: Rosie Floyd/Take a Break Pets

For a lightweight blanket to keep your pooch comfy when you're on the move, consider the Slumberdown Washable Dog Blanket. It's made from a highly absorbent fabric and has a waterproof liner, too, so your soggy doggy and their muddy paw prints won't be an issue for your car seats anymore. It'll also help to dry your pooch in the process. As it's so lightweight, it's easy to roll up and fold away when not in use.

Our tester, Rosie Floyd, found the blanket is definitely one that's designed more with practicality in might than anything else. It's quite thin and not as soft as others she has tested with her pooches so it's not one for your pooch to stretch out and snuggle in. However, she's found that when taking Gina out in the car, it's helped her get settled more quickly as she's got something comfy to lie on, and it's also been super helpful for keeping the mud and dirt out of the car after taking Gina on walks during the Autumn months.

Pros

  • Lightweight and easy to fold away to store when not in use
  • Highly absorbent with a waterproof liner to stop your soggy doggy from making the seats in your car (or wherever in your home) wet

Cons

  • Not as thick or snuggly as other blankets we've tested
Size:Medium (80 x 100cm), Large (130 x 150cm)

Best dog blanket for sofas

Credit: Rosie Floyd/Take a Break Pets

Think of the Silentnight Calming Sofa Protector Pet Bed as a hybrid dog blanket and bed. For the most part, it's a flat, snuggly blanket but then it's got bolstered sides that your pooch can lean against for support or rest their head and joints on while snoozing. It's designed to sit on your sofa so your pooch can still jump up for a cuddle with you, but they'll have their very own blanket bed to sit in to keep them comfortable while also protecting your sofas from pet fluff and claw scratches.

Our Senior Writer, Rosie Floyd, tested this product with her dog, Gina, and noticed how much her pup loved it. As soon as Rosie laid the blanket out, Gina eagerly jumped onto the sofa, drawn to the incredibly soft and plush fabric that makes for an inviting space to relax. The blanket’s bolstered sides also added an extra touch of cosiness, giving Gina the perfect place to rest her head. Rosie tested this blanket bed on both a leather armchair and sofa and found that while it comes with a non-slip backing, it did move around slightly on these smooth surfaces, but this might not be an issue if used on a fabric sofa where the blanket bed would likely stay in place more securely.

Pros

  • Part blanket, part bed, with bolstered sides for extra support and comfort for your pooch
  • Will help to get your sofa protected from scratches and pet fluff

Cons

  • We found that this blanket bed moved around a bit on a leather sofa but it might be more secure on a fabric one
Size:Small (89 x 97 x 13cm), Medium (104 x 94 x 15cm)

Best dog blanket for anxious dogs

You may know Kong for their rubber toys, but they also make other pet products, including blankets. The Kong Weighted Dog Blanket is a great choice for anyone with an anxious pup at home, as it's designed to apply very gentle pressure to your pooch to make them feel like they're being hugged. This slight weight should help pups feel less stressed about certain situations, such as being somewhere new or when fireworks are going off nearby.

This is one of the largest blankets on our list and this combined with its weight of 2.7kg may mean it'll feel slightly too heavy for particularly small dogs. Some dogs may also not like the feeling of this gentle pressure in the same way that not all humans like the feeling of sitting under a weighted blanket. Even though it's weighted, it's machine washable so you can easily keep it clean and fresh.

Pros

  • Applies a gentle pressure that feels like a hug when your dog is lying under it
  • Machine washable, so you can easily keep it clean and fresh

Cons

  • Some dogs may not like the feeling of a weighted blanket
Size:148 x 135cm

Best waterproof dog blanket

Feandrea Waterproof Dog BlanketFeandrea/Amazon

Whether you've got a soggy doggy that's run straight to their bed after a wet walk or a pup or senior pooch that's had a little accident, the cleanup will be easy with the Feandrea Waterproof Dog Blanket. It's got a waterproof lining inside that prevents liquids from leaking through, protecting your dog's bed or your sofa. On either side of the waterproof inner, there's a soft flannel on one side and a warm Sherpa on the other to ensure your pooch stays snoozing in ultimate comfort for the duration of their naps.

Customers online love the softness and quality of this blanket. They also say it looks great, but be wary that as the Sherpa side is a light cream, it could get dirty more quickly. Real-life pet owners also give this blanket a big thumbs up because it is waterproof, offers warmth, and is easily washable.

Pros

  • Has a waterproof lining in the middle to protect from wet dogs and little accidents
  • Super cosy with a Sherpa side and a flannel side

Cons

  • The Sherpa side is a light cream colour so may get dirty more quickly
Size:S (73 x 63cm), M (101 x 73cm), L (127 x 101cm), XL (152 x 127cm), XXL (203 x 152cm), XXXL (229 x 203cm)

Best personalised dog blanket

StitchInLines Personalised Dog BlanketStitchInLines

A bestseller on Etsy with over 1,000 reviews, the StichInLines Personalised Dog Blanket is a great option for owners who want to give their dog a blanket with a more personal touch. It comes in a choice of 10 different colours and eight different embroidery options, so you can get one that matches your hound's bed, their collar, the décor in your home or just your favourite colour.

The blanket itself is made from a soft waffle material, so it'll be nice for your pup to curl up in. Something to keep in mind when ordering is that the StitchInLines blanket is only available in one size, so while it may not be suitable for big dogs, it'll be ideal for small dogs or as a gift to anyone welcoming a new little bundle of fluff into their home. Customers on Etsy love them and say the blankets are of nice quality for the price.

Pros

  • Can be embroidered with your pup's name for a personalised touch
  • Comes in a choice of 10 colours for further personalisation

Cons

  • Only available in one size so may not be suitable for big dogs
Size:75cm x 100cm

How we chose the best dog blankets

All of these blankets for dogs have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered softness, washability and durability in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching dog blankets to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.

With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from veterinary experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.

Best dog blankets FAQs<br>We put questions about dog blankets to Woodgreen Pets Charity Behaviour and Training Advisor, <a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ciara-pollen" data-type="link" data-id="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ciara-pollen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Ciara Pollen</a>, and this is what she had to say:

What type of blanket is best for dogs?

Ciara says, "This really depends on your dog’s preferences and what you plan to use it for. Ones made from thick and soft material provide plenty of padding and keep your dog cosy, making them ideal for older and very young dogs as they're non-slip, durable and easy to clean."
"Blankets can also be a good option to use when travelling: pop the blanket in your dog’s crate or use it as a seat cover in the car. Waterproof blankets are ideal for dogs who like to go on wet and mucky outdoor adventures. They’re a great option for covering car seats or keeping other bedding dry and clean."

Is it OK for dogs to sleep with blankets?

"Yes, most dogs love snuggling into blankets," says Ciara. "Lightweight blankets are great for your dog to dig in and rearrange however they like to make their own little nest. Some dogs will even burrow into a blanket and cover themselves up. Just make sure the blanket is lightweight to prevent overheating."

Do dogs prefer beds or blankets?

"Every dog is different. Some dogs prefer the support and cushioning of a bed and feeling more enclosed. Others like to be able to rearrange their bedding just how they want it, or enjoy lying on cooler, firmer surfaces, which a blanket allows."

Do dogs like blankets on them?

"If you cover your dog up and they immediately get out, they’re letting you know they would prefer to be on top of the covers", explains Ciara. "Other dogs, especially smaller breeds, older dogs, those less adapted to cold climates, and breeds like terriers with more instincts to dig and hunt underground, quite enjoy burrowing under blankets."

This article contains expert advice from Ciara Pollen, a Behaviour and Training Advisor at Woodgreen Pets Charity. Ciara has a master’s degree in Zoology from the University of Bristol, where she completed a research project on play behaviour in dogs. She’s also a certified APDT UK Dog Trainer and an Animal Training Instructor with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council.

Rosie Floyd is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.

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