Commonly Asked Questions About Ballistic Dog Beds

To be fair, there's nothing short of hard metal that is can be considered completely indestructible—dogs can chew through just about anything, if they've got the time and dedication. We've heard plenty of horror stories about dogs chewing through sheetrock, chain link fencing, flooring, bricks, and in one memorable instance, a dog even chewed his way through the wall of a house just to get outside! Therefore, no bed is ever going to be 100% chew proof, because a solid slab of metal simply doesn't count as a bed. 

The key to making a bed as chew proof as possible is to eliminate or shield common chewing targets (such as seams and corners), and use only the strongest fabrics for any spot the dog has access to. Our Chew Proof Armored™ beds were engineered with these principles in mind, utilizing a solid metal frame to shield the corners and edges of the bed and pull the heavy-duty center fabric tight so that there's no place for a chewer to get their teeth into it. 

Some are, but not all. We split our ballistic beds into two different types: Tough and Durable (Tough Rip-Stop™) and Chew Proof Armored™. Our Tough and Durable beds are made from heavy-duty ballistic fabric and will hold up to digging, scratching, and hard use, but it's important to note that these beds have exposed edges, corners, and seams. While they will withstand light or occasional chewing, a dog that latches onto one of our Tough beds and works away at it for long enough can eventually damage the bed. For that reason, we do not consider them chew proof. Our Chew Proof Armored™ beds, on the other hand, have a solid metal frame that covers all vulnerable points, leaving no spot for a chewer to exploit. While no bed is 100% indestructible, our Chew Proof Armored™ beds are the most chew proof beds on the market. 

No, they aren't! Our beds do use ballistic fabric for the covers, but this fabric is derived from the flak vests worn by soldiers during WWII to protect from flying shrapnel and debris. It's a densely-woven material that resists puncturing and tearing from abrasion, so it'll hold up well to a dog's digging and scratching. It isn't Kevlar, and it can't stop bullets. 

If your dog is chewing out of boredom, try providing them with plenty of alternate chewing targets like heavy-duty chew toys (we recommend keeping your dog supervised when using any new toys to ensure they can't tear them into chunks and eat them or choke on them). Destructive chewing can be exacerbated by boredom or excess energy, so if you do have a more energetic or clever dog, give them an outlet by taking them on at least one long walk per day or dedicating at least an hour of your day to playing with your pup. You can also use a chew deterrent spray like bitter apple or bitter cherry on the bed (especially on the areas your dog gravitates towards) to discourage excessive chewing to those spots. 

If none of these tips help, try reaching out to a local dog trainer or vet to see if they can help diagnose what might be causing the excessive chewing. 

Synthetic fabrics that are tightly woven work best for dog beds. Our ballistic bed covers are made from 100% polyester, which allows them to resist stains, dirt, and odors. The dense weave of the polyester fibers don't catch on a dog's nails, so your pup can scratch at the bed as much as they want without being to tear it up. The smooth texture of the cover also allows fur to be brushed right off, which makes these covers super easy to keep clean and maintain. These covers also resist dust mites and dander accumulation, so they work well for dogs (and people!) prone to allergies or asthma.

Quality dog beds require quality materials and construction! Most beds that you find at your local pet store or online retailers that value quantity over quality will be pretty flimsy in design, with thin covers that fall apart fast and interior stuffing that offers only weak support and flattens under pressure. These beds are the equivalent of fast fashion for dogs—they're designed to be easy and cheap to make, but they won't last you long. 

Our beds, on the other hand, are made from heavy-duty ballistic fabrics that can take a beating. The covers feature triple-stitched seams and reinforced corners that won't blow out no matter how much your dog drags the bed around—customers have reported our beds surviving hurricanes and even tornadoes! Additionally, our mattresses are filled with dense CertiPUR-US certified foam made in the US, which won't flatten like fluffy stuffing or egg crate foam. These beds can easily last you years upon years of use, saving you money in the long run and helping keep cheap beds from clogging up our landfills. 

It depends on the size of the dog! Bigger, heavier dogs will need more support, and therefore will need a thicker bed for comfort. Typically, a bed that's at least 3" thick works well for small to medium dogs, while larger dogs will do better with a bed that's at least 4-5" thick. Our orthopedic bed foam is very dense and typically even a giant dog will be comfy on a 5" thick mattress, but we do offer 7" options for the biggest of pups. Bear in mind that if you do have a fairly small or light dog, avoid extremely thick or dense beds, as those mattresses might be too firm for a little dog to make much of an indent in. 

Yes, just as with any other type of woven material, a dog can chew through Kevlar if they work at it for long enough. Kevlar is not chew proof, and if your dog does manage to damage it, it tends to unravel into long, stiff strands that can do terrible damage to your dog's intestines if swallowed. For these reasons, we do not use Kevlar in any of our products. 

There are a couple advantages to having a bed with a removable cover—the most obvious, of course, is machine washability. While not all beds with removable covers might be machine washable (always make sure to check the cleaning instructions or check with the manufacturer), all K9 Ballistics beds that have removable covers can be machine washed in cold water and dried with low heat. Another advantage to having a removable cover is that the cover can be replaced in the future if it starts to wear down, and you don't need to purchase an entire new bed. Or, in the case of a more destructive dog, you can double-up the covers by putting a second right over the first to give the bed two layers of protection. 

There is no such thing as a truly indestructible dog bed, because a bed always needs to be soft in at least one spot in order to provide comfort and proper support. The most indestructible beds are those that reduce the amount of stuffing and limit the number of vulnerable points accessible to the dog. For that reason, cot-style beds with metal (not plastic) frames and corners with heavy duty bed slings to act as hammocks will be the closest thing you'll find to an indestructible bed. Our Chew Proof Armored™ dog beds are designed with this in mind!  

The absolute strongest bed of all our options is the Chew Proof Armored™ Vinyl Elevated Dog Bed. This bed features an all-aluminum frame (including the corners, which are made from powder-coated aluminum) to protect every edge, and the inner sling is made from heavy-duty double-coated vinyl. This vinyl is even more durable than our standard ballistic rip-stop fabric, and the frame pulls it so tight that there's not a single wrinkle or fold available for your dog to grab. The vinyl is also our most dig-proof material, so if you do have a heavy digger (or a chewer that might dig out of frustration), they won't be able to claw their way through the center. It's the best option for any dog that has destroyed every other bed they've been given. 

With their minimalist design and metal frames, we can definitely understand how a cot-style bed may not look very cozy! However, the slings do have some give to them, so when your dog lays down in the center the material will dip down and conform to their body similar to the way that a foam orthopedic bed will. If you've every laid in a hammock, you'll understand how the cot feels for your dog. The elevated bed eliminates pressure on the hips, joints, and spine, and ensures that your dog will never feel the hard floor. The elevated bed also allows plenty of airflow under your dog to keep them cool during the summer, and we also offer a padded version for extra comfort and insulation during colder months.  

Separation anxiety typically manifests as extremely destructive behaviors when your pup is left alone at home—usually as both heavy digging and chewing. It takes an extremely tough bed to withstand that kind of abuse, which is why we recommend only our strongest beds in this situation. Your safest option will be the Chew Proof Armored™ Vinyl Elevated Dog Bed, since it's built to hold up against both digging and chewing. If the bed is for a crate and you have limited headroom, though, then the Chew Proof Armored™ Dog Crate Pad will be the next best thing. It has a padded center so it doesn't need to be elevated, and the ballistic rip-stop material will still hold up to chewing and pretty heavy scratching. 

A lot of dogs will take to an elevated bed without any need for training, but if your pup has never had one before and seems to be giving it a wide berth, there are some things you can do. Elevated beds work well for place training, so teaching your dog the Place command while using this bed as their place will quickly get them used to seeing it as a comfy space to relax and hang out. If you're looking for less formal training, then simply sitting on or near the bed and calling your dog over to come lay on it near you will help them understand what the bed is there for. Never force them on the bed if they don't want to step on it—that will create a negative association that may linger in their mind for a long time. Instead, focus on giving them lots of positive attention or treats whenever they show interest in the bed or are brave enough to step on it. If they seem to be struggling over the fact that they can see under it, laying a blanket over the bed will give it a more solid appearance. 

The metal frame is actually the reason why a bed can be considered "chew proof" (or at least as chew proof as it is possible to make a bed). Without the frame, the bed will have exposed edges and corners that a chewer can exploit, no matter how tough the fabric. With that said, cushioned beds with fewer targets tend to hold out longer against heavy chewers, so if you do want a more traditional-style bed for a dog that chews often, we recommend our Tough Rip-Stop™ Round Pillow Dog Bed. This is a chew-resistant bed and it isn't considered chew proof, but the reduced number of seams and the absence of corners means this bed has fewer weak points than a rectangle or bolster-style bed.