Why You Should Choose Orthopedic Beds for Your Senior Dogs

Orthopedic dog beds offer your dog better body support than traditional dog beds, making them an ideal option for dogs heading into their senior years.

Problems like arthritis, soreness, joint pain, stiff muscles, and hip dysplasia become more common for senior dogs and make it more difficult for them to find a comfy place to rest and sleep.

Senior dogs are not the only ones who would benefit from using an orthopedic dog bed. Dogs used for herding drives or who jog or exercise with their owners regularly find comfort from the strain they place on their muscles and joints by having a firm, relaxed, specially designed bed to retire to when their day is done.

Thinner breeds like Greyhounds have less chance of developing calluses and sores when they have an orthopedic bed to lie on rather than a narrow bed or a hard floor.

Dogs spend 50% of their day sleeping, 30% lounging around, and just 20% being active, according to the National Sleep Foundation. They require even more rest to be at their best as they enter their senior years. A supportive bed is vital for easing pain and assuring optimal sleep as dogs spend so much time lying down.

Benefits of orthopedic beds for dogs

High-quality orthopedic beds offer the following six benefits for aging pups:

#1 They allow senior dogs to sleep more comfortably

Senior dogs have problems sleeping through the night. They may shift positions, go back and along between sleep spots, or even walk restlessly. Night pacing is usually a sign of pain, pointing out the dog cannot fall asleep or stay asleep due to affliction.

Many pet parents don’t realize that their dog’s bed greatly affects its quality of life. Thin, flat beds induce pressure points that hurt tender joints making it hard to rest and more difficult to sleep soundly.

The thick, supporting foam of high-quality orthopedic beds eases senior dogs from head to toe, reducing pressure on sore joints and covering the body from falling to the hard floor below. The material is enough to ensure all-night comfort so seniors can rest straight until morning.

#2 They help prevent elbow calluses

Joint calluses are uneven, patchy sores that form to save a dog’s bones from the pressure of lying on hard surfaces. They are most common on the elbows of senior dogs but may also affect the legs’ hocks, hips, sides, and sternum. The calluses can be scratchy, painful, or even sore and become infected.

Hardwood and concrete flooring are the primary culprits in the formation of elbow calluses. Even dogs that sleep on beds may be exposed to these sores if the bedding material does not give good support.

Repeated use causes cheap beds to flatten under the dog’s weight, providing nothing more than a thin layer of material between their joints and the floor.

Quality orthopedic dog beds consist of a memory foam layer on top of a supporting foam layer. The memory foam delivers enough for optimum comfort. At the same time, the supporting layer remains strong, preventing even large dogs from falling to the floor below and creating pesky pressure sores.

#3 They protect fragile joints

Even senior dogs with no outward symptoms of pain may be suffering in silence. Due to their stoic nature, canine arthritis and other orthopedic conditions usually go undiagnosed or get shrugged off as regular aging changes.

The material used in standard dog beds tends to collapse under the animal’s weight, creating pressure points where unfounded joints are pressing into the ground. Orthopedic beds are designed to cradle the joints and eradicate painful pressure points.

Read Also: 7 Easy Ways of Making Your Senior Dog’s Life Happy

#4 They help restore mobility and energy

Dogs can’t perform at their best when they always wake up dizzy, stiff, and sore. But, just because their bodies are aging does not mean senior dogs are condemned to spend their remaining days sitting on the sidelines.

An excellent orthopedic bed can ease pain, restore mobility, and help bring back the quality of life that every dog deserves.

#5 More comfortable for Seniors To Get Up and Down

Dogs with arthritis have more difficulty getting in and out of bed. As their bodies age and their joints weaken, many senior dogs have a problem accessing their sleeping spots.

Moreover, overstuffed canine beds can be challenging to climb into, leading them to pick the cold ground instead. Seniors also have a difficult time getting back up from lying down.

#6 More comfortable for Seniors To Get Up and Down

Dogs with arthritis have more difficulty getting in and out of bed. As their bodies age and joints weaken, many senior dogs have difficulty accessing their sleeping spots.

Moreover, overstuffed canine beds can be challenging to climb into, leading them to pick the cold ground instead. Seniors also have a difficult time getting back up from lying down.

Orthopedic beds are created to hold their shape, so there is no need to make them too stuffed or thick. The firmness and low profile make it much more comfortable for dogs with arthritis to climb into and out of bed.

Read Also: How To Take Care Of Your Senior Dog?

#7 They help in post-operative & injury recovery

Healthy sleep is vital during recovery after illness, surgery, or injury. Compromised patients need a relaxed, supporting bed to prevent bedsores, hurling and turning, and reiterated awakenings.

Orthopedic beds made with high-quality foam layers are strong enough to provide required support while helping to reduce the pain of arthritis, injuries, neurological disorders, and surgical methods.

Choosing the best orthopedic bed for a senior dog can be daunting with so many products on the market. Some of the most significant features include:

• Easy access for seniors and disabled pets
• Solid foam rather than a shredded blend
• Comfortable and soft material
• Durability and washability
• Waterproofing
• Odor shield

Since dogs spend so much time sleeping, finding an excellent bed is almost as essential as choosing the food you feed your beloved pup. Make sure you find the best choice for your dog – a supportive bed. It will give better sleep and could also mean a healthier, more energetic dog.