There’s nothing more rejuvenating and energising than good rest. This applies to us humans as well as to our pets. Your dog needs to get enough sleep and occasional naps during the day to stay active and recover from all the play, walks, and other daily activities.
Getting a quality dog bed is vital in that regard. Again, it’s the same as with humans. You can’t get proper rest without the right bed, tailored to your needs and sleeping habits.
But what if your four-legged friend needs something more than a regular dog bed due to certain health issues? In that case, an orthopaedic bed would be the ideal choice. Let’s explore what orthopaedic dog beds are and how they can benefit your pup.
What’s an Orthopaedic Dog Bed?
Orthopaedic beds are by no means a novelty. Ever since memory foam technology saw widespread use, manufacturers worldwide have been producing mattresses, pillows, and other sleeping accessories from the revolutionary material.
These types of beds provide exceptional comfort, so it’s no wonder they’ve become very popular quickly. And, luckily for our dogs, the same luxury is now available to them, too.
An orthopaedic dog bed is made of the same high-density material as the ones intended for human use. The memory foam performs several vital functions: providing additional support for muscles, joints, and the spine, and relieving any pressure during sleep.
The ultimate goal of using an orthopaedic bed is relatively straightforward. Your pup should wake up rested, fresh, and without pain or discomfort. And these dog beds excel at doing just that.
Some dog owners might wonder if investing in a special bed for their pups is worth it. After all, dogs seem capable of sleeping anywhere, and an orthopaedic bed may sound like a significant investment.
However, the good news is that a quality orthopaedic bed doesn’t have to be expensive. You can find excellent memory foam dog beds at Pet Parlour for as low as $69.99 – like this Ortho Mat Snuggly Sherpa Grey model.
Plus, most pups may be able to settle down wherever they find fit. Yet, older dogs and those with joint issues will have a harder time getting proper rest on a regular bed.
Orthopaedic dog beds offer numerous benefits, as we’ll explore in the following section.
Biggest Benefits of an Orthopaedic Bed
Orthopaedic dog beds are quality-made, which means they share certain advantages with most top-tier beds. In addition, memory foam proves extra help in other aspects including:
- A comfortable resting spot for your pup
- Sleep quality improvement
- Extra breathability
- Easy maintenance
- Preventing potential muscle and joint issues
The first benefit is relatively straightforward. With a comfortable place of their own, your dog will get used to the bed more easily. This will also mean less sofa-surfing or invading your bed, so you’ll be able to rest better, too.
Next, low-quality dog beds have the same problem as uncomfortable mattresses meant for humans: they can’t provide a good night’s sleep. Furthermore, dogs with specific health issues will face additional challenges when sleeping. Conditions like hip dysplasia, arthritis, and plain old age will make bedtime uncomfortable.
Orthopaedic dog beds like the Fur King Ortho will ensure the pup feels practically no discomfort while resting. They’ll spend the night without suffering pressure and the resulting pain. Your dog will get better rest on a specialised bed than if they were snuggled right beside you.
The best orthopaedic beds aren’t built solely for comfort. They are also built of breathable material that will prevent your dog from overheating. Furthermore, such beds will be resistant to dust mites, mold, and bacteria.
At the same time, a good orthopaedic dog bed will feature an easily washable cover, so you won’t have problems keeping it completely clean.
Finally, an orthopaedic bed will alleviate existing health issues, especially in older dogs. But this bed type will also be useful for young pups, as it will prevent any potential problems from developing. The added comfort and sleep quality will keep your dog at optimal health for longer, allowing them to keep growing strong and healthy.
When it comes to existing conditions, an orthopaedic bed may prove more than useful. Let’s look at a list of conditions that could be somewhat alleviated, if not downright eliminated, as a result of using a specialised dog bed.
Which Health Conditions Do Orthopaedic Beds Help Alleviate?
A good orthopaedic dog bed will be beneficial to many conditions that affect joints, bones, muscles, and the spine. The two most common ailments in that regard are arthritis and hip dysplasia.
Arthritis brings extreme discomfort. The condition starts showing through various symptoms like fatigue and limping. Additionally, your dog might become sensitive to touch, especially around the leg and hip areas. Lastly, they may have issues getting up.
All these problems stem from the inflammation caused by arthritis, as well as the resulting joint stiffness and muscle pain. Enduring additional pressure during sleep only makes matters worse, which is where the orthopaedic bed comes in.
The thick memory foam mattress minimises the pressure, largely through equal weight distribution. Due to this effect, no particular body part suffers more stress than another while your pup is laying down. Less pressure equals less pain, which also means your dog will get more rest.
With proper refreshment, the pup will also feel much better during the day, so the bed will prove helpful around the clock.
Hip dysplasia is another painful condition that impacts specific body areas. In this case, the lower back and hips will be affected the most. The condition is largely genetic, which means certain breeds will be more at risk of developing hip dysplasia than others.
Large and medium dogs like German Shepherds, Retrievers, Labradors, and Saint Bernards are particularly susceptible to hip dysplasia. However, the condition may also appear in Pugs, Bulldogs, and other smaller breeds.
Common symptoms include the dog being reluctant to exercise or downright avoiding such activities. The pet may then become particularly protective of the lower back and hip regions and may object or retreat when you try to touch those areas.
These initial symptoms are the result of the pain and discomfort the dog is feeling. Unfortunately, the effects of the condition usually increase. The affected dog might start limping and struggling to lie down or even sit properly.
Similar to arthritis, hip dysplasia will only get worse without comfortable sleep. An orthopaedic bed will be of large assistance here, providing the same benefits as it does for arthritis.
The bottom line is that orthopaedic dog beds increase comfort, reduce pressure and pain, and provide overall better rest. Of course, this won’t put the condition under control – proper therapy will be needed to alleviate the worst symptoms of arthritis and hip dysplasia. However, sleeping on a quality bed will give the dog additional energy and may reduce the pain and discomfort associated with either condition.
Besides these ailments, an orthopaedic bed can also help during the recovery period following an injury. The extra pressure and over-extension can make healing harder, which is why a special bed is the best choice. The soft yet supportive material will cushion the injured area, ensuring the damage doesn’t worsen overnight.
Choosing the Best Bed for Your Pup
Now that we’ve seen the primary benefits of orthopaedic beds, let’s look at how to choose the best product on the market.
Firstly, the bed’s size should fit your dog. This means the pup should have ample space for stretching so that they never feel limited or cramped. To that end, you should measure your dog from nose to tail and from shoulder to shoulder, then add about 15cm to the measurements. This will give you the ideal bed length and width.
Fur King Ortho - Product Graphic
The core will be the next consideration. The foam needs to be of quality construction and provide all the advantages we’ve mentioned. The bed should never feel too stiff or overly soft. Check out the Orthopaedic Memory Foam Bed to see what a quality product should look like.
The next thing to consider will be the design. Orthopaedic beds can be flat, tent-shaped, or built as dog sofas, to mention a few configurations. The shape you pick will depend on how your pup likes to sleep. If they enjoy burrowing and nestling in a darker shelter, a tent or cave bed like the Fur King Ultimate Orthopaedic Dog Cave Bed will be the right choice.
On the other hand, dogs who love resting their head while sleeping might be better off with a sofa bed, like the Indoor-Outdoor Snooza Ortho Nestler.
Picking the right bed will ensure proper rest and a feeling of safety. And the orthopaedic mattress will take care of any discomfort. Ultimately, a careful choice of dog bed will bring numerous benefits to your pup.
Let Your Dog Reap the Benefits of a Quality Orthopaedic Bed
Whether your dog has health issues that necessitate special care, or you just want to make sure it receives the best rest possible, an orthopaedic bed will be right for the job.
Feel free to browse Pet Parlour to find the ultimate selection of orthopaedic beds. Whichever option you’re looking for, you’ll find it in the online shop.