What the fill is
EPS beads are small, light spheres of expanded polystyrene. They flow freely, so a bag filled with them takes the shape of whatever lies on it. They are very light, and they do not absorb water, but they do not decompose and they are hard to clean up if released.
The containment question
Loose beads create two risks. A dog may chew through the cover and swallow beads, and beads that spill indoors are difficult to collect. For both reasons, a pet bean bag design should use a double structure: an outer cover that can be washed, and an inner liner that holds the fill.
The zipper on the inner liner should be hard for a dog to open, for example a zipper with a lock or a sewn pocket for the tab. Ask the supplier to describe both zippers and to show a photo of the liner stitching.
Do not describe the bed as chew proof. No fabric is chew proof. State instead how the product is built and what the care instruction is for a damaged cover.
Alternatives
Shredded foam and fiber blends are used where a seller prefers not to handle bead fill. They have different handling properties; see the shredded foam page. The choice is a business decision as well as a technical one, because some retailers and marketplaces apply their own rules to loose-fill products.
Specification fields
| Field | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Bead size | A size range in millimeters, and whether it is uniform. |
| Fill volume | In liters or cubic feet, per size. |
| Liner | Fabric, stitch type, and closure. |
| Outer cover | Fabric, zipper, and washing instructions. |
| Refill | Whether refill is offered and how the liner is opened safely. |
| Warnings | Agree the wording of the care and warning text with the supplier before print. |
Related product line: Bean bag dog beds. Quotes and specifications are confirmed in writing for each order.