Updated: Jan. 8, 2023
The Coolaroo Original Elevated Pet Bed is an elevated bed that looks like a cot, with metal legs and a strong fabric mesh-like material for the bed. According to Coolaroo, the fabric is made of strong HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) that resists mold, mildew, fleas, and mites. This bed also has a 1 year warranty for the fabric against UV degradation.
An elevated pet bed is good to have especially when used outdoors. The Coolaroo Original Elevated Pet Bed elevates your dog approx. 7.5 inches off of the ground. Having your dog off the ground provides several benefits. Since the material is mesh, it allows for better airflow, therefore keeping your dog cool in the summer. It also keeps your dog from laying on the concrete or grass, which helps to prevent any bugs or dirt getting onto your dog. The bed is also good to use in the wintertime, keeping your dog off the cold ground.
An elevated bed is easier on the joints of your dog, with less pressure exerted on them compared to if they were lying on the ground. It is also good for dogs that have difficulty getting up from a low position due to a medical condition like hip dysplasia or if they have had surgery. One of my dogs had to have ACL surgery and she was able to get on and off the Coolaroo Original Elevated Pet Bed without any issues.
Sizing
To find the correct size bed for your dog you should measure your dog from the tip of the nose to the base of their tail. That should give you a general idea of what length of bed you should get. Add a few extra inches if your dog likes to stretch out.
If you would rather not go by measuring your dog, the Coolaroo website lists the sizes of the dog beds as follows: The small bed can hold a dog up to 50 pounds. The medium bed can hold a dog up to 75 pounds. The large bed can hold a dog up to 100 pounds. The extra large bed can hold a dog up to 150 pounds.
What’s In The Box
Your Coolaroo Original Elevated Pet Bed will come with four legs, two end bars, screws, washers and inserts, a tension adjustment tool, and the pet bed fabric.
Putting It Together
The instructions tell you to start with the bed fabric upside down. Put the legs in first, then line up the two end bars. Next, insert the screws, washers, and inserts in the correct places, being careful not to fully tighten them. Lastly, turn the bed right side up then fully tighten the screws. The entire process should take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
For detailed instructions, including a PDF and how-to video, you can head over to the Coolaroo website.
Putting it together is the hardest part. It has been a while since I’ve put it together, but I can tell you it took two of us to do it. Getting the last side to fit is a little bit of a struggle, as the fabric is difficult to stretch. But once you have it set you are good to go for a very long time.
Review
As I am sure you can guess, I love this Pet Bed, and so have my dogs. The bed is very sturdy and was able to hold my 60 lb. dog for many years without the fabric sagging. I have owned a Coolaroo Pet Bed since 2002 and keep it outside through all weather conditions including the heat, cold, rain, and snow. It has lasted through it all. When we first bought the Coolaroo bed, we used the medium size, and as my dog grew, we increased to the large size. This was the perfect size for her, as she liked to stretch out on the bed. At first my dog was afraid to go on it, but once she did, we could never get her off. She loved to be outdoors, and this bed was a favorite resting spot for her. After she passed, my current dog went on the bed right away and she loves it as well.
Once, I had to replace the pet bed fabric due to a hole that had formed in it and I was afraid it would alter the integrity of the bed. That is another good thing about this bed. You don’t have to buy a new bed if something happens to the fabric. You can buy a replacement bed fabric instead of buying an entirely new bed. I have had 4 iterations of the Coolaroo Pet Bed (either a new bed or replacement fabric) in the last 20 years, so I would say it is a good investment, especially if your dog likes to spend time outdoors.
The Pet Bed is also easy to clean. Due to the nature of the bed fabric, you can just use a hose to wash it off and let it air dry.
The Coolaroo Pet Bed can be used indoors if you wanted to. It does have “caps” on the bottom of the legs, but I would definitely make sure you have something underneath the legs, as I feel it would scratch your floor if you didn’t have something to protect it.
The biggest negative with the Coolaroo Pet Bed is putting it together. As I mentioned above, it did take more than one person to do it and definitely longer than 20 minutes to complete, due to that last side being difficult to stretch.
Pros
- Fabric is very strong.
- Resists mold and mildew.
- Resists fleas and mites.
- Having an elevated pet bed reduces pressure on your dog’s joints.
- Easy to clean. Just wash off with a hose and let dry.
- Fabric can be replaced separately and therefore you do not need to buy a new bed should something happen to the fabric.
- 1 year warranty on fabric.
- Bed will last several years without needing to be replaced.
Cons
- Putting the bed together can be a bit of a challenge.
- The bottom of the legs do not have a smooth enough surface, so if you are keeping the bed indoors it may scratch your floor.
Verdict
Overall, the Coolaroo Original Elevated Pet Bed is a great outdoor bed for your dog. It will keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The legs do not rust and the fabric lasts for a very long time without mold, mildew, or sagging. It also resists fleas and mites and is easy to clean. It is possible to get many years out of this bed. Our dogs love this bed and we are sure yours will too!
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.