Wholesale buyers are often shown three filling options for pet beds: memory foam, Polyester fiberfill (often called ‘PP cotton’ by suppliers in China), and egg-crate foam. The names are familiar, but they are not specified or controlled in the same way. A reliable purchase specification needs to distinguish foam density, thickness and firmness from fiber fill weight and construction.
This guide focuses on the figures and documents that belong in a quotation, proforma invoice (PI), sample approval and quality-control specification. It also explains how support, washability and shipping compression should be evaluated without treating unlike materials as directly interchangeable.
Start with the specification, not the filling name
“Memory foam,” “polyester fiberfill” and “egg-crate foam” describe different material and construction families. A filling name alone does not define the amount of material, support level or finished-bed performance. Buyers should ask the supplier to translate the proposed construction into measurable production-control points for every size.
For fiber fillings, specify grams. For foam fillings, specify density.
Pet bed filling comparison
| Spec | Memory Foam | Polyester Fiberfill (“PP Cotton”) | Egg-Crate Foam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Viscoelastic polyurethane foam | Loose polyester staple fiber | Convoluted flexible polyurethane foam |
| How it’s specified | Density + thickness + firmness | Fill weight (g) per size + fiber/construction specification | Density + thickness/profile + firmness |
| Typical reference | Approx. 30–60 kg/m³ | Not normally specified by density; bulk density varies with fill level and compression | Approx. 18–30 kg/m³, depending on foam grade |
| Support behavior | Slow recovery; body-conforming | Soft and lofty; support depends heavily on fill weight | Faster recovery; profiled cushioning |
| Long-term behavior | Depends on foam quality; request compression-set data | Can lose loft and flatten over time | Depends on base foam density and firmness |
| Washability | Usually removable-cover construction | Can support fully washable constructions; confirm complete-bed care instructions | Usually removable-cover construction |
| Shipping compression | Vacuum compression possible; recovery needs validation | Excellent compression potential | Compressible; recovery depends on foam |
| Common QC focus | Density, thickness, firmness, odor/recovery | Fill weight, fiber specification, clumping, chamber consistency | Density, profile height, cut consistency |
Polyester fiberfill should not be compared directly with foam using density alone. Its apparent bulk density changes substantially depending on fill level and compression. For purchasing and QC, fill weight in grams per size is the more practical control specification.
“Egg-crate” or “convoluted” describes the foam profile or shape rather than a specific foam density.
Polyester fiberfill: control the grams per size
Polyester fiberfill is a loose fiber construction, so its apparent volume changes when the filling is fluffed, packed or compressed. A density figure does not give a buyer the same practical control that it does for a foam slab.
The most practical production-control figure is fill weight in grams, stated per size and written into the PI or QC specification. The specification should also identify the fiber and construction details that the supplier is expected to reproduce.
For large breeds, loosely filled polyester beds are more prone to bottoming out and losing loft over time, particularly when fill weight is kept low to control cost.
Memory foam: specify the foam and validate recovery
For memory foam, the purchase specification should state density, thickness and firmness. Long-term behavior depends on foam quality, so buyers should request relevant compression-set data instead of relying only on the material name.
Memory foam can be vacuum compressed, but its packing efficiency and recovery behavior depend on foam density, thickness, construction, compression ratio and storage time. Loose polyester fiberfill generally allows more aggressive compression for low-volume shipping.
Egg-crate foam: separate profile from foam grade
Egg-crate foam is convoluted flexible polyurethane foam. The profiled surface describes its shape, not a guaranteed density or firmness. A buyer should therefore specify the base foam density, total thickness or profile height, and firmness, then confirm cut consistency during QC.
Washability depends on the complete bed construction
Polyester fiberfill can support fully washable constructions, but washability depends on the complete bed construction, including the cover, lining, base, zipper and other components.
Washability is also an important marketplace consideration because it directly affects day-to-day ownership and product care. Buyers should confirm whether the complete bed, only the cover or another removable component is intended for machine washing, then make sure the care label and product listing use the same instructions.
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100: check the certificate scope
An OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certificate does not automatically cover every component of a finished pet bed. STANDARD 100 can certify materials, components and finished textile products, but the certificate scope defines exactly which articles and components are covered.
If a supplier provides a certificate for the outer fabric, do not assume that the polyester filling, sewing thread, zipper or other components are covered. Ask for the certificate itself, verify its validity, and check the product description and scope.
Likewise, a finished product should not be marketed as OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified solely because one ingredient or fabric carries certification.
REACH: keep EU due diligence separate
REACH is a separate EU regulatory framework covering chemical substances and certain obligations for substances present in articles. Requirements depend on the substance, concentration, product use and applicable restriction. For EU-bound pet beds, buyers should ask suppliers for relevant material declarations or test documentation rather than treating an OEKO-TEX® certificate as a substitute for all REACH-related due diligence.
This article is a purchasing specification guide, not legal or regulatory advice.
Five questions to ask before approving a pet bed filling
1. What is the exact material and construction?
Ask the supplier to identify the material rather than relying on a trade name. For example, confirm whether the proposal is viscoelastic polyurethane foam, loose polyester staple fiber or convoluted flexible polyurethane foam.
2. Which figures will be written into the PI and QC specification?
For polyester fiberfill, confirm fill weight in grams for every size together with the fiber and construction specification. For foam, confirm density, thickness or profile, and firmness.
3. How will shipping compression and recovery be validated?
Confirm the packing method, compression ratio and expected storage conditions. For foam constructions, agree on how recovery will be checked after unpacking.
4. What are the care instructions for the complete bed?
Check the cover, lining, base, zipper, filling and other components before approving a complete-bed wash claim. The approved instructions should match the care label and marketplace listing.
5. Which products and components are covered by the documentation?
Review the scope and validity of any OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certificate. For EU-bound products, request relevant REACH-related material declarations or test documentation separately.
Turn the filling choice into a production specification
A useful comparison does more than name a preferred material. It defines measurable controls for each size, states the intended care construction, and records how compressed products will be evaluated after unpacking. Review our bed constructions and filling specifications when preparing your range.
To discuss sizes, fill weights, foam specifications, packaging and samples, request the wholesale catalogue.
