Best Dog Bedding for Greyhounds in Ireland: A Complete Guide

Greyhounds are built differently from other dogs — their lean frame, minimal body fat, thin skin, and bony joints make them especially prone to pressure sores, calluses, and discomfort on hard or poorly padded surfaces. Choosing the right bedding for your greyhound isn’t just about comfort; it’s about protecting their health.

At Slaneyside Kennels, we’ve been supplying bedding to greyhound owners, trainers, and boarding kennels across Ireland since 1983. Our Pet Bedding range is designed specifically for kennel environments — soft, durable, machine-washable, and available in custom sizes to fit any kennel house or dog run.

This guide covers what makes greyhound bedding different, which features to prioritise, and how to set up the ideal sleeping area for your greyhound or lurcher.

Why Do Greyhounds Need Special Bedding?

Greyhounds have almost no body fat and very thin skin over their bony joints, making them far more susceptible to pressure sores, calluses, and cold than other breeds. Where a Labrador or Collie can sleep comfortably on a basic pad, a greyhound on the same surface will quickly develop painful sores on their elbows, hips, and hocks.

• Pressure sore prevention — greyhound elbows, hips, and hock joints have almost no fat padding. Hard surfaces cause calluses that can crack, bleed, and become infected. Thick, cushioned bedding is the primary defence
• Temperature regulation — with minimal body fat and a thin single-layer coat, greyhounds lose heat rapidly. Insulating bedding is essential, especially in outdoor kennels during Irish winters
• Joint support — retired racing greyhounds often have wear-and-tear on joints from their racing career. Supportive bedding helps reduce stiffness and discomfort
• Size requirements — greyhounds are long dogs that like to stretch out fully when sleeping. Their bed must be large enough to accommodate their full body length (typically 100–120cm nose to tail)

Standard thin mats or blankets are not adequate for greyhounds. They need genuinely thick, cushioned bedding that protects their joints from the surface beneath.

What to Look for in Greyhound Bedding

The best greyhound bedding is thick enough to cushion bony joints, machine-washable for hygiene, durable enough to withstand nesting and scratching, and sized to fit your kennel or sleeping area.

• Thick cushioning — the bedding must be deep enough that your greyhound’s elbows and hips don’t press through to the hard surface underneath. Thin blankets alone are not enough — layer them over a padded mat or use purpose-made kennel bedding
• Machine washable — greyhound bedding needs washing at least weekly to maintain hygiene and prevent parasites. Choose bedding that holds up to repeated machine washing without losing its shape or padding
• Quick drying — in Ireland’s damp climate, bedding that stays wet for hours becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and mould. Synthetic fleece and polyester-fill bedding dries faster than cotton or natural fibre alternatives
• Durable fabric — greyhounds nest and scratch at their bedding before lying down. The material must withstand this repeated pawing without tearing. Reinforced stitching and heavy-duty fabrics last longer
• Non-slip base — bedding that slides around on a kennel floor is uncomfortable and frustrating for your dog. A non-slip backing or sufficient weight keeps it in place
• Appropriate size — measure your greyhound lying fully stretched out and add 15–20cm to each dimension. For kennel houses, the bedding should cover the full floor area

Avoid straw, hay, or newspaper as bedding for greyhounds. Straw harbours fleas and mites, hay causes respiratory irritation, and newspaper provides no cushioning. Purpose-made pet bedding is safer, warmer, and easier to maintain.

Best Greyhound Bedding Options

The best bedding setup for a greyhound combines a padded base layer with a soft, washable top layer — providing both joint protection and warmth.

Kennel Bedding Mats (Slaneyside Pet Bedding)

Our Pet Bedding range is designed specifically for kennel environments. Made from soft, durable fabric with a paw-print design, it provides genuine cushioning for bony joints. Available in individual sizes to fit any kennel house, or as a full roll (1.5m × 15m) for boarding kennels, breeders, and rescue centres who need to cut bedding to custom dimensions. Machine washable and hardwearing — it retains its softness and padding through repeated washes.

Raised Dog Beds (Elevated Platforms)

A raised dog bed lifts your greyhound off the cold kennel floor, providing insulation from below and airflow underneath. This is particularly important in outdoor kennels where concrete or ground surfaces can be cold and damp. Our raised beds are designed to fit inside Slaneyside dog runs and kennel houses. Layer our Pet Bedding on top of a raised bed for the ultimate combination of cushioning, warmth, and joint protection.

Fleece and Vetbed-Style Bedding

Synthetic fleece bedding (often called “vetbed”) is extremely popular with greyhound owners. It wicks moisture away from the dog’s body, dries quickly, and provides a soft, warm surface. It’s machine washable at high temperatures and comes in various thicknesses. For greyhounds, choose the thicker grades (at least 26mm pile) for adequate joint cushioning. Vetbed is an excellent top layer over a raised bed or padded mat.

Orthopaedic Memory Foam Beds

For greyhounds with arthritis, joint problems, or recovering from injury, orthopaedic memory foam beds provide the highest level of support. The foam moulds to your dog’s body shape, distributing weight evenly and relieving pressure on joints. Choose beds with removable, washable covers — memory foam itself cannot be machine washed. These are ideal for indoor use or as the primary bed for senior greyhounds.

Browse our Pet Bedding range here — available in individual sizes or full rolls with nationwide delivery.

Bedding for Lurchers and Whippets

Lurchers and whippets share the greyhound’s lean build and thin skin, so they need the same type of thick, cushioned bedding.

• Lurchers — greyhound crosses vary in size depending on the cross, but most have the same bony joints and minimal body fat as purebred greyhounds. Bed sizing depends on the individual dog — measure your lurcher stretched out and add 15–20cm
• Whippets — smaller than greyhounds but with the same body type. They need proportionally smaller beds but the same cushioning thickness. Whippets are especially sensitive to cold due to their small size
• Italian Greyhounds — the smallest sighthound, extremely thin-skinned and cold-sensitive. A small, well-padded bed with a raised rim or cave-style design helps retain body heat

The same bedding principles apply to all sighthounds: thick cushioning, warmth, washability, and adequate size.

How to Set Up the Ideal Greyhound Sleeping Area

The ideal greyhound sleeping area combines an insulated kennel house, a raised bed, thick bedding, and protection from drafts.

• Base layer — a raised dog bed or thick padded mat to lift your greyhound off the cold floor
• Middle layer — Slaneyside Pet Bedding or orthopaedic foam for joint cushioning
• Top layer — fleece or vetbed for warmth and moisture-wicking
• Draft protection — a sliding hatch on the kennel house reduces cold air entry while allowing your greyhound to come and go
• Insulated kennel — our Thermal Deluxe kennel houses with Kingspan insulation maintain warmth without electricity

For advice on kennel houses and dog runs that pair with proper bedding, see our guide to the best dog kennels in Ireland.

How to Maintain Your Greyhound’s Bedding

Wash greyhound bedding at least once a week — more often in wet weather or if your dog has been muddy.

• Weekly — machine wash all removable bedding at 40–60°C. Use a pet-safe detergent. Tumble dry or line dry completely before returning to the kennel
• Daily — shake out bedding to remove hair and debris. Spot-clean any soiled areas
• Monthly — deep clean the kennel floor underneath the bedding with Parvovirucide disinfectant before replacing with fresh bedding
• Inspect regularly — check for thinning padding, tears, or compressed areas that no longer provide adequate cushioning. Replace bedding when it no longer springs back after washing
• Rotate sets — having two sets of bedding means your greyhound always has a dry, clean bed while the other set is being washed. This is essential during Ireland’s wet months

Never use straw or hay as greyhound bedding. It harbours fleas, mites, and fungal spores, causes respiratory irritation, and provides no joint cushioning. Purpose-made washable pet bedding is safer, warmer, and more hygienic.

Frequently Asked Questions About Greyhound Bedding

What is the best bed for a greyhound?

The best bed for a greyhound provides thick cushioning to protect their bony joints, insulation from cold surfaces, and a soft, washable cover. A raised dog bed with layered kennel bedding and fleece on top is the ideal setup. For indoor greyhounds, an orthopaedic memory foam bed with a removable, washable cover works well. The bed must be large enough for your greyhound to stretch out fully — at least 100–120cm in length.

What size bed does a greyhound need?

Measure your greyhound lying fully stretched out from nose to tail, then add 15–20cm to both the length and width. Most adult greyhounds need a bed at least 100–120cm long and 70–80cm wide. Greyhounds prefer to stretch out rather than curl up, so avoid beds that are too narrow or have high bolster walls that restrict stretching.

Do greyhounds need orthopaedic beds?

Orthopaedic beds are especially beneficial for senior greyhounds, retired racers with joint wear, and any greyhound showing stiffness or mobility issues. For younger, healthy greyhounds, thick padded kennel bedding provides sufficient joint protection without the cost of a full orthopaedic mattress. The key requirement for all greyhounds is adequate cushioning — their bony joints need protection from hard surfaces regardless of age.

What bed is best for a lurcher?

Lurchers need the same type of bedding as greyhounds — thick cushioning, washable fabric, and adequate size. Because lurchers are greyhound crosses, they share the lean build and bony joints that require extra padding. Measure your lurcher stretched out and choose bedding that accommodates their full length. Most lurchers suit the same bedding products as greyhounds.

Is an indestructible dog bed worth it?

For greyhounds that nest heavily or scratch at their bedding, a more durable bed can save money in the long run. However, “indestructible” beds are often made from tough materials that sacrifice comfort — and comfort is the top priority for greyhounds. A better approach is choosing well-made kennel bedding with reinforced stitching and durable fabric that balances toughness with adequate padding. Replace bedding when it shows signs of wear rather than waiting for it to fail completely.

How often should I wash my greyhound’s bedding?

Wash greyhound bedding at least once a week at 40–60°C with a pet-safe detergent. In wet weather, after muddy walks, or if your greyhound has been unwell, wash more frequently. Having two sets of bedding ensures your dog always has a clean, dry bed while the other is being washed. Shake out bedding daily to remove hair and debris between washes.