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Cave beds for dogs are taking over the pet bed market, and if you’ve seen one, it’s not hard to understand why: they’re the warmest, snuggliest covered burrows known to pupkind. At their most structured, they look like small tents or covered donuts. At their softest and floppiest, they’re like fur-lined dog sleeping bags.
The Snoozer Orthopedic Cozy Cave fits somewhere in the middle, and it’s one of the highest-rated cave beds for dogs on Amazon. It’s a machine-washable, sherpa-lined bed with hundreds of positive reviews from pet parents. Its three inches of orthopedic foam support and two inches of additional cushioning mean it won’t sag, and it comes in a range of sizes, including an extra-large one that’s suitable for breeds like German Shepherds and Doberman Pinschers.
Traditional thinking says this type of den of coziness is meant for small dogs—the famous burrowing breeds like Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, and Terriers. But all dogs have denning in their DNA, including larger pups. So we decided to test out the extra-large size.
For help investigating, we turned to Big Boy, the 70-pound Staffordshire Terrier who has turned his human’s bed into his very own slumber palace. Big Boy loves to create Staffy-sized caves under the bed covers, only coming up for air when he’s suddenly awakened himself from his own snoring. This was cute for a while—but his human would like their bed back now, which means finding Big Boy an acceptable substitute.
We review the Snoozer Cozy Cave to see if it’s up to the job.
What To Know About the Snoozer Cozy Cave
The Snoozer Orthopedic Cozy Cave Bed, as of writing this, is rated over 4 stars on Amazon with 450+ reviews, and it’s especially popular among pet parents with large snugglers on their hands.
- It comes in both large and extra-large sizes.
- It’s made of a sherpa interior and a microsuede cover that comes in dozens of different colors and prints.
- The cover is removable and machine-washable.
- Base contains three inches of orthopedic foam topped with several more inches of polyester batting.
- The hood of the bed contains a removable plastic rod that keeps it raised by 8 inches for easy entry and exit.
Before I chose it, I specifically looked for reviews by pet parents with larger dogs like mine. One review, in particular, stuck out to me:
“This is the BEST and most amazing solution! At first she wasn’t sure and thought it was a toy, but as I had done crate training with her as a puppy, I put her toys inside and she quickly caught on. Because she’s so big (100 pounds, got the XL), I still had to lift up the arch, but she loved snuggling up and snoozing in there during the cold months.”
A cozy place for snuggling up and snoozing is exactly what I was looking for: a Big Boy-suitable alternative to my bed. This review also gave me hope that with a little time and training—especially as a natural burrower—he’d probably get it.
Something to note about these cave beds for big dogs is that in order to get a large enough clamshell-like opening, the bed itself has to be kind of massive. I live in a 900 square-foot condo, but to heck with it! Anything for my prince!
Big Boy Tests the Snoozer Cozy Cave, a Cave Bed for Large Dogs
The package arrived from Amazon, and while Big Boy is delighted every time the door buzzer goes off, it’s like he knew this one was for him. We both skipped to the door and I dragged the big box into the living room.
I assembled it, took a step back, and patiently waited for him to dive in nose first and nestle into his new luxury. Of course, I had already forgotten the pep talk I’d given myself about training him how to use it.
Like the reviewer that inspired me, I lifted up the hood of the cave and let Big Boy sniff around a little. He almost immediately fell in love with the sherpa material (he has trendy taste, what can I say) and rolled around on the exposed furry sliver.
Over the course of the day, I put his toys in it, lifting the lid for an extended period of time for him to get curious. I also, well, got in with him.
A few hours later, he’d been in there head first a few times (chasing the treats I tossed in) and gotten spooked by the hood over him. I imagine this could feel like waking up from a nap with your head in the wrong side of a sleeping bag. Nevertheless, it felt like progress.
The biggest barrier was that he could not figure out how to turn himself around and would instead back out cautiously. I was convinced that if he would turn himself around and relax a little, he’d absolutely love being inside the cave.
Three weeks later, he still does not burrow on his own, but he loves the orthopedic bed and now spends more time on it than on the couch or my bed, which is still a win! He curls up on the crescent of exposed sherpa material and sleeps for hours. And unlike so many other large dog beds, I love the aesthetic of this one in particular.
Besides Big Boy’s adoration of it, the biggest plus is the machine-washable cover. He can be a very stinky man, and we like to keep it fresh over here.
Though Big Boy hasn’t yet figured out how to dig himself into the cave bed, other dogs of noble size have. Big Boy’s friend, another large pup, gave the bed a shot too—and happily burrowed in immediately, with no training or preparation. Go figure.
The Bottom Line on the Snoozer Cozy Cave Dog Bed
The Snoozer Cozy Cave lives up to its name; it’s a very snuggly, warm bed for dogs who like to sleep underneath a blanket or who could benefit from the extra warmth and security a covered bed provides.
What’s great:
- Nice looking, high-quality material
- The sherpa interior is so cozy
- Machine washable exterior
- Big enough for a large dog
- Comfortable orthopedic insert
What’s meh:
- Takes up a lot of space
- Not all dogs figure out the cave
- May require training, which is okay!
We think the Snoozer Cozy Cave is a good fit for dogs who like to burrow, pets with anxiety, and senior pups who might be more sensitive to the cold.
Worth watching? The round shape of the Snoozer Cozy Cave can make it challenging to fit into a tight corner. Luckily, the brand also offers a rectangle version of the Cozy Cave.
Are you a new pet parent or are unsure if your dog likes to burrow? You could also consider buying an uncovered orthopedic bed, like the PetFusion Ultimate, and then try adding a thick dog blanket to it to see how your pup takes to it before taking the next step and investing in a cave bed. Weighted blankets can be especially nice for anxious pups.
After reading this review, you may even decide that YOU are actually the one who needs the cozy cave, and we’re here for that also. Big Boy approves.
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