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The Best Orthopedic Dog Beds – Here’s What Most Important
We all know the pains of sleeping on a less than ideal mattress. Especially as we age, the importance of your dog’s bed increases, as their older joints may be suffering from stiffness and arthritis.
Choosing a bed for your aging dog can be a challenge. In this in-depth guide, we’ll walk you to evaluating what’s most important when shopping for your dog’s orthopedic bed.
- Orthopedic Memory Foam: Memory foam is the ideal bedding material for dogs with achy joints who need extra support. It helps ease the pain and the stiffness, making it easier for old dogs to get up again. Typically, quality orthopedic dog beds consist of a memory foam layer on top of a supportive foam layer.
- Durability: Some dogs can be more destructive than others. The best beds are multi-layered and built with sturdy material so your dog can’t rip out the essential foam inside.
- Size: A larger dog should sleep in a bed designed for larger dogs and vice versa. This will ensure all their pressure points are properly soothed.
- Ease of Cleaning: If your aging dog becomes incontinent, it can make your house stinky. Many of the best beds come with removable waterproof liners you can easily wash if they get peed on or worse.
- Warming Or Cooling Features: While not essential in a bed, cooling gel or electric warming might help soothe some of your aging dog’s pains.
With all those things in mind, here are iHeartDogs.com’s picks for the 8 best beds for senior dogs.
Best Orthopedic Bed For Arthritic Dogs
- 7" thick high grade memory foam
- Zippered waterproof cover
- Headrest lounge design
The Kopeks Orthopedic Pillow Dog Bed is made of 100% orthopedic-grade, hypoallergenic memory foam, just like in high-end mattresses. This bed also comes with a waterproof liner for those drooly dogs or seniors with incontinence.
Best Orthopedic Bed For Small Dogs
- Orthopedic memory foam over a 2” base of high stability support foam
- Waterproof mattress protector
- Available in a variety of colors and styles
The older your dog gets, the less they’re willing to climb to go to sleep. Smaller beds by The Dog’s Bed contain just 2 inches of orthopedic memory foam on top of a 2″ base of high stability support foam. Removable covers are easy to wash and make The Dog’s Bed Orthopedic Dog Bed look more fashionable.
Best Orthopedic Bed For Large Dogs
- Clinically proven to improve mobility in older dogs
- Hand-made in the U.S.
- Specifically designed for large and extra large breeds
The Big Barker is made especially for larger dogs. With 7″ of foam support, the Big Barker Pillow Top Bed even proved its ability to reduce joint pain and improve mobility in a clinical study. This bed does skew on the pricier side, but it’s a worthwhile investment for your dog.
Most Stylish Orthopedic Dog Bed
- Fashionable fur rug design
- Ultra-soft faux fur cover
- Filled with memory foam
- Available in curve or rectangle shapes
Let’s face it – dog beds don’t make for the most attractive pieces of furniture. The Puprug Faux Fur Memory Foam Bed looks classy and offers memory foam comfort for your dog.
Best Orthopedic Cooling Dog Bed
- Machine washable removable cover
- Pro-charcoal base keeps the bed smelling fresh
- Outside material is sturdy yet comfy polyester
- Quad-layer technology incorporates four layers of foam, including memory foam and cooling energy gel
In addition to the SEALY Lux Pet Dog Bed’s cooling energy gel that helps soothe achy joints, this bed is built with a pro-charcoal base to absorb odors. The cooling gel cradles all your dog’s key pressure points, which is one thing that makes this bed stand out.
Best Warming Orthopedic Dog Bed
- Cuddler bed surrounds your dog with comfort
- Thermostatically controlled to automatically warm to your dog's normal body temperature only when they're inside it
- Tested and certified to meet electrical safety standards
- Removable cover for easy washing
The sidewalls of the K&H Heated Thermo-Snuggly Sleeper are designed for cuddlers, offering support and soothing warmth all around. The low-wattage heater is energy-efficient and certified safe for your pup.
Best Overall Reviewed Orthopedic Dog Bed
- L-shaped sofa design
- Supportive bolsters wrapped in suede
- Available in 4 colors
- Egg crate orthopedic foam
Furhaven makes several orthopedic beds, but this one with cooling gel and memory foam has the most positive user reviews. As of March 2022, there were over 75,000 reviews on this bed – the majority of which are outstanding. On Chewy, the Furhaven Orthopedic, Cooling Gel, and Memory Foam Two-Tone L Chaise has 60% 5-star reviews. So, if you don’t trust me, maybe you’ll take the words of thousands of real customers.
If you’re still not sure what kind of bed is right for your senior dog, consider asking your veterinarian for their expert and personalized advice on whether a cooling bed, warming bed, cuddler, or flat bed is best.
Best Orthopedic Dog Bed To Go Inside a Crate
- Comes in 3 sizes to fit standard crates
- Soft plush exterior
- Egg crate supportive foam
If you’d prefer to keep your dog’s bedding inside of their crate, the Milliard Quilted Padded Orthopedic Dog Bed is the right size and shape for most standard crates. It comes in three sizes: 35 x 22″, 42 x 27″, and 47″ x 29″. The cover unzips so you can take it off and throw it right in the washing machine.
Dog Beds to Avoid
Keep in mind there is no strict definition of orthopedic. Check to make sure the bed you’re purchasing isn’t just being marketed an orthopedic bed with just regular foam. No matter how thick, basic foam will wear wear and flatten down quickly, leaving your dog feeling the hard floor with their hip and elbows.
Common Questions about Dog Orthopedic Beds
Here’s some common questions we often here about canine orthopedic beds:
What Exactly Makes a Dog Bed ‘Orthopedic’?
There is no strict definition of an orthopedic dog bed. However, most orthopedic dog beds cater to older dogs with joint pain. An orthopedic bed will typically use thick memory foam to shield your dog’s elbows and hips from the hard floor below.
At What Age Does My Dog Need an Orthopedic Bed?
Typically, most dog owners consider an orthopedic dog bed when their dog becomes a senior, often considered to be around age seven. However, many large breed dogs suffer from joint pain much earlier than 7. An orthopedic dog bed can be given to any dog at any age.
How Long Does an Orthopedic Dog Bed Last?
There is no hard and fast rule about how long an orthopedic dog bed will last. However, typically well made beds feature memory foam that last substantially longer than typical inexpensive foam beds.
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