Are Memory Foam Beds Good for Dogs?
Memory foam is found in virtually everything these days including shoes and of course, in mattresses for people and for dogs. It is popular because it cushions and protects against the pain of pressure points which can be a problem with older dogs, dogs with injuries and larger breeds that are at risk for developing joint problems. There are many types of memory foam beds in various sizes, heights and densities. But, are they good for your dog?
Proper Depth and Size
No matter what it is made of, a dog bed has to be the right size and depth to be comfortable for him. He has to be able to turn around in the bed so that he can find that just right, cozy position. The bed should be deep enough for him to feel secure.
With memory foam the density of the foam has to be considered too. The industry measures foam by the pound. If you say there are 4 pounds of foam in the bed, that is a pretty decent number.
Why Memory Foam?
Because of the way it is designed, memory foam conforms to the object that is on top of it. If you have memory foam shoes, put your foot inside and then take them out and look. You should see the outline of your foot including all of the toes before it snaps back in to position. The action of conforming around the foot protects it from the pressure of walking or running by absorbing the impact and displacing it. A memory foam bed works in much the same way. It conforms to the body laying on it and protects. For a dog who has any joint issues, this can relieve a lot of the pain that he is feeling.
What to Watch Out For
Before you just grab a bed that is marked as “orthopedic” read the label and check it out carefully. The word can be applied to any bed made of any material so it may not even be memory foam. Some orthopedic beds are made of foam chunks or remnants, egg crate foam and other materials. None of these have the benefits of memory foam.
Memory foam itself is not perfect. Read the label to see if it mentions “VOCs” which stands for volatile organic compounds. These are compounds that will be released into the air and can cause illness and in some cases, might cause cancer. Dogs, because of their highly sensitive noses can have reactions from these compounds.
Finally, make sure that the memory foam is listed as non-toxic because some dogs never grow out their chewing stage and many dogs will lick their beds for comfort especially when they are sick or in pain. They may bring food in to their bed to eat as well. You want your dog’s bed to be as safe as possible for him. As long as you read the labels, memory foam beds are good for dogs.
