Editorial ratings based on published specifications, manufacturer data and verified owner reviews. We have not physically tested this product.
| DURABILITY | 82 | STRONG | |
| VALUE INDEX | 80 | STRONG | |
| BREED COMPATIBILITY | 88 | STRONG | |
| EASE OF USE | 84 | STRONG | |
| AU SUPPLY CHAIN | 82 | STRONG |
Quick verdict
If you have a large dog, two dogs that share, or a dog that lives outdoors, this is the raised bed to buy. The frame is rated to 70 kg in Large, and the cover can be replaced when it wears out. Expect the hessian to stretch, and don’t buy it for a dog that tears at its bedding.
What it is and how it works
It’s a raised bed: a rectangular steel frame on short legs with a hessian (jute) cover stretched across it and fastened with Velcro tabs. Your dog lies off the ground with air moving underneath, which keeps it off hot or cold surfaces and lets the bed dry quickly after rain or hosing.
Petbarn’s description says the frame is fully welded 1.2 mm steel tube, galvanised to stop rust from the inside out. The cover is natural fibre with some stretch, which lets dogs “nest” a little. According to the retailer, a few hours in the sun helps a stretched cover tighten again.
Like any raised bed, it doesn’t cool your dog directly. It gives your dog a ventilated place to rest that isn’t hot pavers or concrete.
Sizes and materials
| Size | Complete bed | Sleeping area | Rated to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium (Petbarn’s description says “Small”) | 106 × 54 × 22 cm | 94 × 54 cm | 60 kg |
| Large | 112 × 69 × 22 cm | 100 × 69 cm | 70 kg |
| Jumbo | 118 × 78 × 24 cm | 110 × 78 cm | 80 kg |
Petbarn’s size selector lists Medium, Large and Jumbo, but its description gives dimensions for “Small”, Large and Jumbo. Check the dimensions on the retailer’s page before you order.
What owners report
Petbarn buyers rate it 4.6 from 65 reviews. Across Petbarn, Petstock and The Nile, Google Shopping shows 4.6 from 36 reviews.
What owners consistently like:
- The frame is stronger than cheaper raised beds and holds big dogs, or two dogs together.
- The cover can be replaced, which several owners find handy when a dog is sick.
- Many buy a second bed after the first.
- Owners use it outdoors and in kennels to keep dogs off cold or hot concrete.
What owners consistently complain about:
- The hessian stretches and sags, and one owner wanted more support underneath.
- Hessian isn’t the most comfortable surface.
- Dogs that claw or chew can rip it.
- A small number of dogs refused to use it at first.
How it compares
| Bed | Price checked 2 Nov 2026 | Rated to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superior Steel Hessian (Large) | $80 at Petbarn | 70 kg | Galvanised; replaceable cover |
| Coolaroo Original (Large, 130×80 cm) | $54.95 at T&W (sale) | Not published | Lighter and cheaper; most reviewed; coarse fabric |
| All Day Rio Raised (Large, 110×80 cm) | $79 at Petbarn ($60 for members) | 35 kg | Fabric cover; 4.1 from 123 reviews |
For dogs under about 35 kg, the Coolaroo is the better-value raised bed. Above that, the Superior Steel’s higher rating and replaceable cover make it the safer buy.
Running costs
The frame should outlast several covers. Petbarn sells replacement Superior Steel hessian covers, listed at $31 and rated 4.7 from 133 reviews (check the price for your size), and canvas covers ($52 for the Large) if you want a tougher, smoother surface (both checked 3 November 2026). As a rough estimate, $80 for the bed plus a $31 cover every two years works out to about $55 a year over the first two years, then around $15 a year after that.
Cleaning, care and when to replace the cover
- Hose it down and dry it in the sun. Sun also helps a stretched hessian cover tighten.
- Re-tighten the Velcro tabs when the cover starts to sag.
- Replace the cover when your dog’s body nearly touches the frame cross-bars or the ground, or when there are holes.
- Check the welds and legs once a season.
Who should buy it, and who shouldn’t
Buy it if: your dog is over about 35 kg, two dogs share a bed, or your dog sleeps outside or in a kennel.
Skip it if: your dog shreds bedding (consider a canvas cover instead), or your dog needs a soft, cushioned surface for sore joints. In that case, see our orthopaedic dog bed guide.
A raised bed is one part of keeping a big dog comfortable in summer. Heavier dogs, and dogs at or above their breed’s average weight, have higher odds of heat-related illness (Hall, Carter and O’Neill, Animals, 2020), so shade and water matter just as much. See our guide to the best dog cooling beds and mats in Australia.
| Type | Raised (elevated) bed with hessian cover |
| Frame | Fully welded 1.2 mm steel tube, galvanised |
| Cover | Hessian (jute), Velcro tabs, replaceable |
| Medium | 106 × 54 × 22 cm, sleeping area 94 × 54 cm, rated to 60 kg |
| Large | 112 × 69 × 22 cm, sleeping area 100 × 69 cm, rated to 70 kg |
| Jumbo | 118 × 78 × 24 cm, sleeping area 110 × 78 cm, rated to 80 kg |
| Outdoor use | Yes |
| Cleaning | Hose down; dry in sun |
| Price | Large $80 (Petbarn); Medium $72.18 (The Nile) |
| Price checked | 2026-11-02 |
| How we rated | Specs, AU prices, owner reviews (not hands-on tested) |
| Owner rating | 4.6 from 65 Petbarn reviews |
Does the hessian on the Superior Steel bed stretch?+
Yes. It's the most common complaint from owners. Hessian has natural stretch and sags with use. Re-tighten the Velcro tabs, leave the cover in the sun to tighten it, and replace the cover when your dog sits too low.
How heavy a dog can the Superior Steel bed hold?+
Petbarn rates it to 60 kg (Medium), 70 kg (Large) and 80 kg (Jumbo). That's why owners use it for large breeds and for two dogs sharing one bed.
Can I buy a replacement cover?+
Yes. Petbarn sells replacement Superior Steel hessian covers (listed at $31, rated 4.7 from 133 reviews) and canvas covers ($52 for the Large), which suit dogs that are hard on hessian. Prices checked 3 November 2026.
Is it suitable for dogs that chew?+
The steel frame is tough, but dogs that claw or chew can rip the hessian. If your dog is destructive, supervise at first or use a canvas cover.
Can the Superior Steel bed stay outside all year?+
Yes. The frame is galvanised against rust and the hessian copes with moisture, and owners commonly use it outdoors and in kennels. Keep it in shade in summer, and expect to replace the cover from time to time.