Pet furniture is bought twice more often than it needs to be: once too small, then again at the right size. This guide gives you the actual measurements for dog beds, cat houses, feeding stations and storage, so the first purchase is the right one.
Dog beds: measure nose to tail
Measure your dog lying down and fully stretched out, from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. Standing measurements are useless for this — a standing dog is much shorter than a stretched one.
Then add 15–20 cm (6–8 inches) so your dog can stretch out or curl up without hanging over the edge.
| Dog size | Typical weight | Minimum bed size |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Under 10 kg | 60 × 45 cm |
| Medium | 10–25 kg | 80 × 60 cm |
| Large | 25–40 kg | 100 × 70 cm |
| Extra large | 40 kg and up | 120 × 80 cm or larger |
For a large or senior dog, favour a firm, even surface over deep loose padding: a soft bed that collapses under the body concentrates pressure on the hips and joints. Our Pearl design pet sofa is built for medium and large dogs that need support rather than a soft mound, and the small dog bed with hidden storage adds 23 litres of storage into the base — useful where floor space is tight.
Cat houses and condos: width beats height
For cats, the number that decides whether furniture gets used is platform or interior width, not total height.
- Average cat: platform at least 30 cm (12 in) wide.
- Large breed: 38 cm (15 in) or more, with posts 15 cm (6 in) thick.
- Hideaway interior: big enough for your cat to turn around in standing up.
Height suits cats that perch; enclosure suits cats that hide. Most cats want both, so look for a design with open platforms and a cubby. A wooden cat house with multiple entryways doubles as a bedside table, which is one of the more sensible uses of floor space in a bedroom. See the full range in our cat beds and houses collection.
Feeding stations: height should meet the shoulder
A raised bowl is not a luxury for a tall dog — it removes the need for a deep neck bend at every meal, which is easier on the neck, shoulders and joints. As a rule, the bowl rim should sit around shoulder height when your dog is standing.
- Small dogs: 10–15 cm rim height.
- Medium dogs: 20–25 cm.
- Large dogs: 30 cm and up.
If your dog is a large, deep-chested breed, raise this with your vet before choosing — there is genuine debate about the ideal height for those dogs, and it is a question worth asking.
Also decide whether you want the station to do more than hold bowls. The elevated bowl station with a 44 litre storage cabinet holds a large bag of food directly under the bowls, which removes an entire separate container from the room. The food storage cabinet with bowls is the same idea in a smaller footprint. Both live in our feeding and storage collection.
Storage: a dog food bag is bigger than you think
A 15 kg bag of kibble needs a genuinely large container, and a half-full bag is awkward to store anywhere. If you are buying furniture to hide the food, buy for the largest bag you ever buy, not the bag on the shelf today. Check the internal volume rather than the exterior size — the walls and the bowl recess both eat into it. Aim for at least 40 litres if you buy bulk food, and check the lid actually seals.
Space-saving: think in footprints, not pieces
In a small home the goal is one piece of furniture doing two jobs. A cat house that is also a side table. A bowl station that is also a food store. An elevated bed that fits under a windowsill. Measure the footprint you can genuinely give up, then choose the piece that does the most within it — that habit alone removes most of the clutter that pet equipment creates.
Assembly and stability
Some of our pieces arrive flat-packed. Whichever you choose: tighten every fitting, check the item is stable before your pet uses it, put tall cat furniture on level flooring, and if a wall anchor or strap is supplied, fit it. None of that is difficult, but all of it is the difference between furniture that stays put and furniture that wobbles.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure my dog for a bed?
Measure nose to tail while your dog is lying stretched out, then add 15–20 cm. Never measure while standing.
How wide should a cat condo platform be?
At least 30 cm for an average cat, and 38 cm or more for a large breed such as a Maine Coon.
How high should a dog's bowl be?
Roughly shoulder height when your dog is standing — about 10–15 cm for small dogs, 20–25 cm for medium, and 30 cm or more for large dogs. Ask your vet for deep-chested breeds.