A review of the Snoozer cozy cave
[AD] Contains gifted products & Affiliate Links
The Snoozer Cozy Cave is a hooded dog bed designed for dogs who love burrowing under blankets. We’ve had experience of using these beds over several years, and they’ve proved particularly useful for keeping dogs warm when camping in colder weather.
But are they worth the relatively high price tag? In this Snoozer Cozy Cave dog bed review, I’ll share our experience of their comfort, durability and practicality, including one design flaw that is worth knowing about before you buy.
This is an updated review of the Snoozer cozy cave dog bed, which we have now been using for years. Occasionally, a product comes along that really stands out. Since reviewing the cozy caves, we’ve recommended them to numerous people. Additionally, we’re often approached on campsites by other dog owners wanting to know where we got our Snoozer cozy cave from. So, this review will give you the pros and cons of the beds, where to get them from and how well they last over the years.
It’s worth mentioning here that we’ve recently stopped using this sort of bed. That’s no reflection on the bed itself, but we lost Bubbles a couple of months ago and we now only have Marco the husky. While he’s partial to the odd dog food review, he’s the worst dog in the world to review a bed with a cover over it. He gets much too hot for that due to his excessive fur. This is very much a bed for short-haired dogs.
About the Snoozer Cozy Cave dog bed
The Snoozer Cozy Cave is a hooded dog bed designed for dogs who love burrowing under blankets or curling up somewhere warm and enclosed. Unlike an ordinary dog cushion, it has a built-in fabric hood that creates a cosy little den for your dog to snuggle inside.
The bed has a soft Sherpa fleece lining, a removable machine-washable cover and a supportive filling made from cedar and polyester. The opening has a supporting arch designed to hold the hood up, making it easier for dogs to climb underneath. The cedar filling is intended to help keep the bed smelling fresh.
There are different fabric options, including classic cotton and luxury microsuede, as well as different sizes. Depending on the version you choose, you can also opt for a standard or orthopaedic base.
The idea is to give dogs the comfort of sleeping underneath a blanket without having to contend with a loose duvet that moves around or gets kicked off. It’s particularly appealing for dogs who like to burrow, and can be a useful option for keeping them warm during colder weather.
Our experience with the Snoozer cozy cave dog bed
When we first got a Snoozer dog bed, my first thought was of our old dog Pluto. We are unsure of his past but it was definitely a sorry tale of woe. We thought he was around 15 years old when we got the snoozer pet bed, he was certainly doddery and frail. With old age came a glum disposition. He retired himself from running and started to go home as soon as he was allowed off the lead. He decided playing ball was below him and instead spent most of his time asleep.
We received the Snoozer cozy cave dog beds in May 2017. The weather was sweltering, but this didn’t stop both the children and the dogs from venturing inside the cocoon dog bed to try it out. It wasn’t long before Pluto stopped venturing inside and tended to sit on top of the bed instead. We were surprised, but didn’t think much more of it.
Snoozer cozy cave design flaw
Before I go on to explain all the reasons we love the Snoozer cozy cave collection, I want to point out a design flaw. When the dogs had been using their beds for a few months, the solid piece of plastic that held the dog bed open fell out. Look at the photo below of our brand new Snoozer cozy cave. You can see that where the dog gets into the bed, the cover sticks up to make it easy to get in. The second photo is of a (rather dirty looking) bed that Bubbles is in now. As you can see, the fabric cover is completely flat.
For Bubbles, the fact that the washable cover is totally on top of her is something of a dream come true. As you can see, she treats it as a duvet and tucks herself right in. For Pluto though, it caused a real problem when the plastic came out. With hindsight, I realise that this was why he stopped climbing right into his Snoozer cozy cave.
Like any pet products, these beds are going to suit some animals more than others. However, if you do have an older dog then this is worth being aware of. Pluto eventually got into the habit of coming to tell us when he wanted to get into the bed, so we could lift the cover for him. Alternatively, he’d wait for Bubbles to sit up, which would lift the fabric so he could get in. I’m not sure all dogs would do this though, and as many people will be buying a Snoozer cozy cave to offer some warmth and comfort to older dogs, they may actually be unable to access it.
Advantages of a Snoozer cozy cave dog bed
The beds we were sent were the Snoozer cozy cave dog bed XL. Pluto was a large dog and the two dogs had a habit of sharing a bed even when two were available, so we knew we needed the largest size. Pluto was a large, greyhound-sized lurcher and Bubbles is a staffy cross, who is taller than a pure staffy. They both fit and slept comfortably together in one dog bed cave so individually, this luxury cozy bed XL would fit an enormous dog.
As you can see, the beds are so comfortable looking that the children piled in too. If I’m honest I’m a bit jealous I couldn’t fit in there myself. In fact when I shared a photo on Twitter and Instagram of Pluto in his new pad, the overwhelming response was that people wanted one for themselves.
Another huge advantage of the Snoozer cozy cave for us is that it’s ideal for camping. We camp in the Winter and always used to bring coats for the dogs to wear, but they still got chilly. As soon as we got the Snoozer dog beds, they were a lot more settled camping. If they got cold, they’d get in and bury themselves right inside. The beds must be so warm because they never shiver like they did just with coats on, even in the middle of Winter.
The final benefit we’ve experienced is the longevity of the Snoozer pet bed. Bubbles has always been a bed chewer. She also scratches at her bed before settling down and we used to get through hundreds of beds. Whilst the Snoozer cave beds are expensive, they last so much longer than regular beds.
Further information about the Snoozer Cozy Cave
If you’re considering buying a Snoozer Cozy Cave, there are a few practical things worth knowing before choosing one.
Choosing the right size
The Snoozer Cozy Cave is available in different sizes to suit different breeds of dog. The UK retailer’s sizing guide gives the following approximate measurements:
| Size | Diameter | Suggested dog weight |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 65cm | Under 7kg |
| Large | 90cm | 7–23kg |
| XL | 115cm | Over 23kg |
These are guidelines rather than guarantees, so it’s worth measuring your dog and considering how they like to sleep. A dog who stretches out might need more room than one who curls up tightly.
Washing and caring for your Snoozer dog bed
One of the useful features of the Cozy Cave is its removable, washable cover. The cover can be machine washed on a cool cycle and air dried or tumble dried on a low heat setting.
You’ll need to remove the inner cushion and the support tubing before washing the cover. The cedar and polyester-filled insert should not be machine washed, so check the manufacturer’s care instructions before cleaning the whole bed.
Replacement covers and different options
The Snoozer Cozy Cave comes in several fabric choices, including classic cotton and luxury microsuede. There are also different base options, including an orthopaedic version.
Replacement covers are available, which is useful if the original becomes worn or you simply want a different colour without replacing the entire bed.
Where to buy the Snoozer Cozy Cave
You can purchase these dog beds direct from the UK retailer or the US retailer. It’s worth checking the current specifications carefully before ordering, as the available fabrics and versions can vary.
Does the Snoozer Cozy Cave come with a warranty?
Snoozer UK currently advertises a one-year warranty on its Cozy Cave dog beds. Check the retailer’s terms when ordering for details of what is covered.
Can you buy replacement covers for the Snoozer Cozy Cave?
Yes. Replacement covers and components are available from Snoozer UK. This is useful if the original cover becomes damaged or worn, as you may be able to replace part of the bed rather than buying a completely new one.
[AD] Contains gifted products & Affiliate Links
