Frequently Asked Questions
We are always happy to receive messages from pet parents! If you need more information – just send us an email at info@bluetoby.com.
Choosing A Bed
This chart shows examples of pet weights and common dog breeds that are suitable to each size of the Blue Toby pet bed. Most cats can use the small bed. These are recommendations, and you may also consider how your pet sleeps. For example, dogs that stretch out might need more space and pets that sleep together would need a larger bed than if they slept alone. Keep in mind that if you add bolsters, this will increase the width and length of the bed (the mattress size is the same). With bolsters added the next smaller size may work if your pet is on the border between two bed sizes.
Blue Toby beds are made with high quality gel foams for comfort and Airstring for support. Our Orthopedic beds have an additional layer of convoluted gel foam. Blue Toby beds were created for all cats, dogs and other pets to have a comfortable, restful sleeping experience. We designed the beds to be especially comfortable for animals that need special care, such as those recovering from surgery, large dogs, or pets that are older, arthritic or suffering from hip dysplasia. In addition, the reversible cover is waterproof, making it useful for dogs that may have become incontinent. Our own dog Blue chose our orthopedic bed after he had major surgery for lung cancer.
Our early testing found that cats love the pet bed! You can add a blanket if your cat likes to burrow. We are also developing new add-on options specifically for cats, dogs and other pets that like to hide or snuggle. Stay tuned as our product line expands.
Details of the Pet Bed System
Blue Toby Pet Beds are unique in many ways!
- For your pet: Extra thick, soft mattress with high quality Certi Pur US cooling gel foam layers and a foam alternative supportive layer. No shredded foam here! Our beds are also wider than other pet beds, allowing your pet to rest in any position. All enveloped in a soft, reversible outer cover.
- For pet parents: The easy-care reversible outer cover solves the age-old problem of dirty, smelly dog beds. Simple to remove/wash/replace, with two sides to suit your décor. Plus, these beds will last for years and years, so you save money while your pet has the best resting experience.
- For the planet: Created with sustainability at the forefront, our beds are made with a selection of eco-friendly materials, recycled polyester fabrics, and fewer chemicals than traditional materials.
The mattress of the Blue Toby bed is the same as a high-quality mattress for people. It consists of specific layers that provide the perfect sleeping experience. The bottom layer provides support so your pet does not sink to the floor. The upper layers provide a soft, cozy experience designed to eliminate painful pressure points. The layers are tailored to the pet’s weight, so it is comfortable yet supportive for different sizes.
We specifically chose not to use memory foam in our pet beds. Memory foam has two problems when it comes to pets. First, it sleeps hot, which makes it uncomfortable for most pets. Second, the dense nature of memory foam does not bounce back quickly after compression (thus the word “memory foam”). This means that when your pet changes position, there is an uncomfortable dent in the foam.
Blue Toby Pet Beds incorporate a better alternative for the upper layer of our pet bed mattresses: cooling gel foam. This foam has an open-pore structure that allows air to circulate, and responds quickly to shifting positions. Add to this the convoluted topper and the supportive foam alternative base layer, and you have the perfect combination of comfort and support for pets.
The reversible cover is made specifically to fit the Blue Toby mattress and is unlikely to fit easily on other manufacturer’s beds because Blue Toby beds are wider than most.
Yes! We are always creating new fabric designs and colors for our reversible covers. You can purchase new covers to have an extra on hand, to match your décor, or for seasonal changes.
In researching how dogs sleep, we found that some dogs have a preferred sleeping style. But most dogs sleep in many different positions during the day and night. We made our beds large to be comfortable and accommodate all the sleeping positions your dog might enjoy. Plus, it works great for multiple pets!
Blue Toby proudly manufactures our beds in the United States! We are working with manufacturers and suppliers close to our location in North Carolina to cut down on transportation and reduce our carbon footprint.
We admit that our pet beds are not priced as low as discount beds, and for good reason: they are made to last!
- Blue Toby Pet Beds are made of high quality, furniture-grade materials like Crypton fabric.
- The mattress uses the same material as a human mattress. It is larger, wider and thicker to support your pet and accommodate different sleeping preferences.
- We focus on sustainable, recycled fabrics, and materials with fewer chemical so they are safer for your pet and the environment.
- The Pet Bed System involves options so you can tailor fit the bed to your pet.
Your new Blue Toby mattress is guaranteed to last at least 5 years. With most pet owners having to replace their pet bed every few months, the Blue Toby Pet Bed System is great for your wallet. If your pet is especially tough on beds, you can just replace the reversible cover as needed. This saves you money in the long-run, keeps pet beds out of the landfill, all while giving your pet the best resting experience.
Sustainability
Sustainability is built into our DNA! As a social benefit company, our goals are to improve animal welfare and protect the environment.
- Blue Toby products are made with materials selected for performance, low environmental impact and fewer chemicals. We do not use microfiber fabrics, which shed plastic particles into the environment, and focus on high-quality fabrics made from recycled soda bottles, Crypton upholstery fabric with incredible performance and low chemicals, and foam alternative for the base of our beds.
- We manufacture our products close to our North Carolina location to reduce carbon emissions from transportation.
- Blue Toby uses recycled packaging materials whenever possible.
Blue Toby has two product lines. The Sustainable products are available now with environmentally friendly fabrics and components. Our Natural line is in development, and will feature all-natural fibers like cotton, hemp and palm. Stay tuned for more soon!
About Blue Toby
Linda Brent is the founder and CEO of Blue Toby. She is an animal lover and received her PhD studying animal behavior. Dr. Brent spent the last 35 years improving the welfare of primates and pets. She is a founder and was the first director of the world’s largest sanctuary for retired research chimpanzees, called Chimp Haven! Then her focus shifted to dogs, cats and other pets and she went back to school for an MBA in Sustainable Business. Blue Toby was created to share Linda’s innovative new pet bed system with everyone, and the company was named after Linda’s dogs. Blue Toby’s products are designed to make both pets and pet parents happier together. The company mission is to give back to animals in need and protect the environment.
Yes, Blue Toby is a woman-owned small business.
Warranty and Returns
Blue Toby products are designed to last for years, using high quality, furniture-grade materials. We expect that under normal conditions, the Blue Toby mattress will last as long as a good quality mattress or sofa built for people. The Blue Toby mattress has a 5-year warrantee. The reversible cover will hold up for several years, depending on washing and wear and tear, and is easily replaceable.
The Blue Toby mattress (including the foam layers and the Crypton mattress cover) has a 5-year warranty. Simply contact us at info@bluetoby.com if you have a problem with the mattress.
Just send an email to: info@bluetoby.com with any questions or concerns or see this page. We are happy to help and would love your feedback so that we may continue to improve our products. The Blue Toby mattress also has a 5 year warranty.
Shipping
Blue Toby pet beds and components are shipped via regular carriers in the US. Some minor assembly is required of some components or sizes.
Shipping is free on orders over $100. We only ship to the United States. Please contact us for pricing to ship to Hawaii or Alaska.
Shipping is $10 on orders $50 or less, and $15 on orders between $50 and $100.
Care
To remove hairs, simply brush the cover or use a tape roller. The reversible outer cover is waterproof, and spills can usually be wiped up with a cloth. To wash the outer cover, remove it from the bed and wash it using cold water, then line dry or use low-temperature in the dryer. If the cover feels damp after time in the dryer, simply line dry before replacing on the bed.
Think of the mattress as a piece of furniture. You should not need to remove the mattress cover, which is made of high quality Crypton upholstery fabric. Follow the directions from Crypton for care. The bottom of the mattress is waterproof, anti-slip fabric. Simply wipe off any dirt with a wet rag. Keep in mind that it is important that you always keep the reversible outer cover on the bed to protect the mattress. You might want to get a spare cover to put on when you are washing the reversible cover.
Giving Back
The overall mission of Blue Toby is to give back to animals in need and protect the environment. We provide beds and resources to homeless pets and animals in need. Blue Toby also provides educational information to pet parents, so that you can understand and appreciate your pet- improving your relationship. Check out our Natural Pet Blog.
Sustainability is built into our DNA! As a social benefit company, our goals are to improve animal welfare and protect the environment.
- Blue Toby products are made with materials selected for performance, low environmental impact and lower chemicals. We do not use microfiber fabrics, which shed plastic particles into the environment, and focus on high-quality fabrics made from recycled soda bottles, Crypton upholstery fabric with incredible performance and low chemicals, and foam alternative for the base of our beds.
- Blue Toby is manufactured near our location in North Carolina to reduce carbon emissions from transportation.
- Blue Toby uses recycled packaging materials whenever possible.
Yes! Just click on “donation” and you can donate a pet bed to a homeless pet.
A gift certificate is a great gift to every pet parent and their pet. Go to the Gift Certificate tab and enter the amount you would like to give and recipient information.
Natural Pet Education
Natural Pet is Blue Toby’s education program for pet parents. The focus of Natural Pet is understanding your pet’s natural history, behavior, communication and needs. The Blue Toby website includes blog posts with news and interesting info on cats, dogs, and other pets. We also offer a newsletter and YouTube video channel.
You can sign up to receive information about Natural Pet at the bottom of each page.