Heyday · Pet Bedding & Mats
West Paw Heyday Dog Bed
Lower-concern option; third-party PFAS-free claim reduces risk, though lab confirmation unavailable.
West Paw Heyday is a polyester dog bed the brand explicitly states is PFAS-free and backed by MADE SAFE certification, a third-party standard that screens for forever chemicals. No known PFAS-prone treatments (water-repellent coating, stain resistance) are disclosed.
Brand says: “West Paw products are PFAS-free and certified by MADE SAFE”
Material
Polyester microfiber with recycled polyester fill
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
furniture is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Third-party PFAS-free verification
Independently verified PFAS-free by a third party.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Heyday bed uses polyester microfiber fabric (a synthetic material made of ultra-fine fibers) with recycled polyester fill. Microfiber itself is not toxic, but the concern is physical shedding of fibers during use and washing, which can release microplastics into the environment and potentially be ingested by pets if they chew the bedding. The recycled polyester fill poses no known chemical leaching risk under normal conditions, though any polyester product can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when new, though this is typically minimal and short-lived in pet bedding.
The brand's record and disclosure
West Paw (parent company of Heyday) has made a public PFAS-free claim and has a stated commitment to avoiding PFAS-based water repellents and stain treatments in their products. The brand has not reported major safety recalls for this specific bed model based on available public records. West Paw is known for transparency around sustainability practices, though independent third-party lab confirmation of PFAS absence for this product is not publicly documented.
How it compares in its category
Pet bedding alternatives include cotton (biodegradable but less durable and absorbent), memory foam (risk of off-gassing and degradation over time), and polyester blends like this one. Polyester microfiber is common because it is machine-washable, durable, and inexpensive; the trade-off is microfiber shedding and environmental persistence. This product's PFAS-free stance places it ahead of water-resistant pet beds treated with legacy fluorinated coatings, which were historically common in the category.
If you buy it
Wash the bed in cold water before first use to reduce initial VOC off-gassing and microfiber release. Use a washing machine filter bag or microfiber-trapping laundry net during regular washing to minimize microplastic shed into wastewater. Inspect for tears or seam failure regularly; once the cover or fill begins to degrade visibly, replace it to prevent your pet from ingesting loose fibers. Do not expose to sustained heat (e.g., direct sunlight, radiators) as polyester can degrade and shed more readily when thermally stressed.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Microfiber shedding and microplastic release
All polyester microfiber textiles shed small fibers during use and washing. While ingestion of small amounts is unlikely to cause acute harm, chronic microplastic accumulation in pets is not well-studied. Risk is reduced by using washing nets and inspecting for tears.
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
New polyester products can emit low levels of VOCs for the first days to weeks. For a pet bed used on the floor or furniture, exposure is typically minimal. Ventilation and cold-water washing of the bed before use reduce this further.
Coating or finish degradation over time
No recall or reported degradation of the Heyday bed cover has been documented. Polyester microfiber is relatively stable; however, repeated washing and wear will eventually thin the fibers and may allow fill material to migrate or shed.
Dyes and colorants
No evidence of toxic dye use (e.g., azo dyes) or heavy metal pigment contamination in West Paw products has been reported. Standard textile dyeing for polyester microfiber is generally well-regulated in North American manufacturing.
Fill material degradation and ingestion risk
Recycled polyester fill can degrade with repeated compression and washing. If the cover tears, loose fill fibers may be accessible to pets that chew. Regular inspection and prompt replacement of damaged bedding mitigates this risk.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 82% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More pet bedding & mats grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.