BuyerGuide HQ

Mattress Protectors for Pet Owners

Waterproof, washable covers for accidents, drool and dander — what a cover does (and does not do) for beds shared with pets.

Verdict: dogs and cats bring accidents, drool, dander and damp fur to bed — a deep-pocket waterproof cover turns all of it into a weekly laundry item instead of permanent mattress damage. Our pick for a shared king bed: the BEDLORE Waterproof King Mattress Protector — Deep Pocket ($32.99), whose 6–18 inch skirt survives daily re-making and whose washable gray cover hides fur between washes. Queen beds: the flagship queen. Multi-dog households or anyone who does not want laundry-timing pressure: the two-pack.

PickSizeSkirtPrice
BEDLORE Waterproof King Mattress Protector — Deep PocketKing6"–18"$32.99Buy →
BEDLORE Waterproof Mattress Protector — QueenQueen6"–18"$29.99Buy →
BEDLORE Waterproof Mattress Protector — Queen, 2 PackQueen6"–18"$40.99Buy →

What a protector does — and does not do — for pet households

Does: stops the wet stuff

Accidents from seniors and puppies, slobber patches, wet fur after a rainy walk, the occasional knocked-over water bowl — a true waterproof membrane blocks all of it at the surface. This is the same spec that serves potty-training toddlers, and the rating record (27,198 public ratings on the flagship queen) is full of pet owners confirming it for exactly this job.

Does: makes dander manageable

Dander works its way down into open foam and stays there. A washable cover keeps it on a surface you can strip and launder — for allergy sufferers who share a bed with a pet, this is the single most effective bedding change you can make.

Does not: stop claws or digging

No fitted cover is claw-proof. A determined digger will eventually snag any fabric. Keep nails trimmed, give diggers a blanket layer to abuse, and inspect the skirt occasionally. Think of the cover as excellent insurance against liquids and dander, not armor against deliberate destruction.

Does not: replace washing the dog

The cover captures the mess; it does not reduce production. Wash the cover every one to two weeks in a pet household — cold wash, no softener, low-heat dry — and the routine holds for years.

The picks

Sizing note for big dogs

Large breeds sprawl. If your dog takes the middle of a king bed, cover the whole king — protecting half the mattress is protecting none of it on the night that matters. Measure mattress height before ordering (deep pockets fit 6–18 inches; most pillow-tops included) using our size and depth guide.

Frequently asked questions

Will a protector survive dog claws?

It survives sleeping dogs fine — these are woven surfaces with a bonded membrane, not delicate films. But no fitted cover is claw-proof: a dog that digs and scratches at bedding every night will eventually snag any fabric. Trim nails, and if your dog tunnels, check the skirt weekly.

Does a protector help with pet dander and allergies?

Yes, meaningfully. A washable cover holds dander and hair on a surface you can strip and launder, instead of letting it work down into foam and fabric where it stays. Wash the cover hot-tolerant items every week or two during allergy season.

How do I wash a cover that a wet dog has been sleeping on?

Shake it out outside, cold wash with mild detergent, skip softener, low-heat or air dry. For wet-dog odor, a half cup of white vinegar in the rinse works without damaging the membrane.

Should I put a blanket between the cover and the dog?

If your dog has claws that catch or runs hot, yes — a throw blanket above the protector takes the wear, and the cover underneath catches anything that gets through. The cover is the barrier; the blanket is the sacrifice layer.

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