Dog Blankets

Welcome to Pawtons! Dog blankets do a few jobs at once, a soft layer in a bed or crate, a familiar surface your dog can claim as theirs, and a barrier between a shedding dog and your sofa. This collection covers fleece and soft-touch styles, water-resistant designs for travel and outdoor use, and cooling blankets for warmer months, in sizes to suit small dogs through to large breeds. Since a dog blanket gets washed more than almost anything else you buy, care instructions are worth checking before you order.

Dog Blankets for Every Resting Spot

Where the blanket is going shapes which one makes sense. Most owners end up with two or three, one in the dog's own space, one for the furniture, one that lives in the car.

Blankets for Couches and Furniture

This is the most common reason people shop for a dog blanket. Laying one over a favorite sofa spot gives your dog somewhere they're allowed to settle and catches a good deal of the hair, dirt and damp paw prints that would otherwise go straight into the upholstery.

Size matters more than you'd expect here, a blanket that covers only part of the cushion gets pushed aside within a week. Look for something large enough to cover the whole area your dog uses, with enough weight that it stays put rather than sliding off. Nothing catches everything, so treat it as reducing the mess rather than eliminating it, and pair it with regular brushing and a set of grooming tools if your dog sheds heavily.

Blankets for Beds, Crates, and Kennels

Inside a crate or bed, a blanket adds a softer layer and something that carries a familiar scent, which helps a lot of dogs settle. Measure the base of your dog bed or crate and pick a size close to it, too much excess bunches up and gets pushed into a corner.

A blanket draped over one side of an open wire crate also creates a darker, more enclosed feel for dogs who prefer a den. Leave at least one side clear so airflow isn't restricted.

Types of Dog Blankets

Fleece and Soft Blankets

Fleece is the most common material in this category, light, quick to dry, and generally simple to machine wash. Sherpa and plush-backed styles add more loft for colder months. Thickness is the main trade-off: heavier blankets hold more warmth but take longer to dry and take up more space in the wash.

Water-Resistant and Waterproof Blankets

These are worth considering for car seats, outdoor resting spots, puppies still house-training, and older dogs who have the occasional accident. One thing to check carefully: "water-resistant," "water-repellent" and "waterproof" describe different levels of protection and are not interchangeable. The product description will tell you which you're getting, and it's the detail most worth reading before ordering.

Cooling Blankets

Cooling blankets use materials designed to feel cool against the body, and owners typically use them in summer or for dogs that seek out tile floors in warm weather. They're a comfort option rather than a substitute for shade, airflow and fresh water on hot days.

How to Choose a Dog Blanket

• Size. Measure the bed, crate base or sofa area you're covering rather than buying by your dog's size alone.
• Material. Fleece for warmth and easy washing, water-resistant for travel and accidents, cooling for summer.
• Thickness. Heavier holds warmth; lighter is easier to wash, dry and pack.
• Washability. Check the care label before buying, this is a product you'll wash weekly.
• Grip. A blanket with some weight or texture stays in place better on furniture.
• Season. Most households want one warm and one lighter option rather than a single year-round blanket.

If your dog feels the cold enough that you're layering blankets indoors, a knitted sweater may be the more practical answer.

How to Keep Dog Blankets Clean

Shake the blanket out or run a lint roller over it before washing — loose hair that goes into the machine tends to redistribute rather than disappear. A short tumble on low heat before washing loosens a surprising amount of it into the lint trap.

Wash regularly and follow the care instructions on the label. For lingering odors, a cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle is a common approach, and airing the blanket outdoors helps between washes. Avoid fabric softener on water-resistant materials, since it can affect how the surface performs.

Do Dogs Need Blankets?

Not every dog does. Plenty are perfectly comfortable on a bed with no extra layer. Blankets tend to matter more for short-coated and small dogs, puppies, seniors, and dogs in cooler homes, and for dogs who simply like having something soft to burrow into, which is a preference rather than a need.

The other reason to buy one has nothing to do with the dog: protecting furniture and car seats is a perfectly good justification on its own.

Shop Dog Blankets at Pawtons

Browse the range above and choose based on where the blanket is going, what it needs to handle, and how often you'll be washing it. The rest of our dog accessories cover the everyday extras that go alongside.

Dog Blankets — Frequently Asked Questions

Do dogs need blankets?

Not all of them. Many dogs are comfortable without one, while short-coated breeds, small dogs, puppies and seniors often appreciate an extra layer. Plenty of owners buy blankets primarily to protect furniture and car seats, which is a reasonable purpose in itself.

Can dogs sleep under blankets?

Many dogs enjoy burrowing, and lighter, breathable blankets are the better choice if yours does. Make sure your dog can easily get out on their own and that the blanket isn't heavy enough to restrict movement or breathing. Puppies and dogs with limited mobility need closer supervision.

How do I get dog hair out of a blanket?

Shake it out and go over it with a lint roller or rubber glove before it goes anywhere near the machine. A ten-minute tumble on low heat before washing pulls a lot of loose hair into the lint trap. Washing hair-covered blankets directly tends to just redistribute it.

How do I get the dog smell out of a blanket?

Wash regularly rather than waiting for odor to build up. Adding white vinegar to the rinse cycle is a common approach for lingering smells, and airing the blanket outdoors helps between washes. Always check the care label first, particularly with water-resistant materials.

What size dog blanket should I get?

Measure what you're covering rather than going by your dog's size. For a bed or crate, match the base dimensions closely so the blanket doesn't bunch. For a sofa, cover the whole area your dog uses, a blanket that only covers part of the cushion gets pushed aside.

Are waterproof dog blankets worth it?

They're useful for car seats, outdoor resting spots, house-training puppies and older dogs with occasional accidents. Check the exact wording on the product, since water-resistant, water-repellent and waterproof mean different things. For indoor comfort alone, a washable fleece blanket is usually the simpler choice.