The Benefits of Orthopedic Dog Beds
As a dog owner, you would probably do anything you could for him, wouldn’t you? That’s why the pet industry is one that booms even during times of economic troubles. People would rather skip meals or medicine for themselves than to make their dogs do without anything. Orthopedic dog beds are a huge area of the pet industry and with good reason. Dogs are living longer lives these days thanks to good medical care and better understanding of their nutritional needs. Like people, who are also living longer lives for much the same reasons, dogs are prone to some of the diseases of aging including arthritis. But, it’s not only older dogs that benefit from orthopedic beds. There are a number of reasons that your dog would be well served by having one.
Arthritis and Dysplasia
Arthritis is a common condition caused by inflammation and swelling in the affected joints. It can lead to immobility and deformity of the joint, stiffness, redness and pain. The levels of pain can differ from day to day and from hour to hour. Typically it is stiffest after prolonged periods of immobility and may hurt the worst after extended periods of movement. There are medications the veterinarian may suggest to help relieve some of the pain but that is sometimes not enough.
Dysplasia is a condition where something grows abnormally. In dogs, the joints of the hips, shoulders and elbows may grow incorrectly which leads to pain, limping and eventually loss of mobility. In some cases, surgery is an option that might be considered. In other cases, comfort measures such as pain medications may be the only type of treatment that can be used.
Some dogs are more prone to one or both of these conditions. Active dogs may erode some of the protective cushioning in their joints and may be at higher risk for arthritis. Overweight or larger breed dogs are also at higher risk for arthritis because of the stress they put on their joints with every movement. Large breed dogs are at higher risk for dysplasia. Dogs who have ever had an injury to a limb especially a broken bone increase their risk of arthritis later in life.
What Makes it an Orthopedic Bed?
To be qualified as an orthopedic bed, there must be the right type of material used for the bed itself. It should also have a high quality cover as well. High density foam is the best and most supportive material. It should be dense enough that a dog does not sink to the ground when he lays down and all pressure points should be cradled as well. A pressure point is anywhere on the body that is pressed down on when in a certain position. When a dog lays down on his side, his pressure points are the head, shoulder, torso and hips.
When looking at orthopedic beds at a pet store or other location, press down on it with your hand. The foam should take several seconds to return to the starting point. The longer it takes, the more support it will provide to your dog.
The covering material should be removable and washable. It is a bonus if the cover is made of fleece or a similar material as this provides extra support and comfort. If possible, buy an additional cover so you always have one on the bed and a spare one in case it is needed.
All materials used in a dog bed should be non-toxic as some dogs never grow out of their chewing phase.
Comfort Even to Younger Dogs
Your dog doesn’t have to have arthritis to want to sleep somewhere that is comfortable to him. Even young and healthy dogs benefit from having an orthopedic bed. It will let them sleep in comfort. It can extend their youth by preventing some of the pain and other issues they might get from a lesser quality bed. It can also help them to maintain proper alignment of their spines.
Some dogs, especially dogs with longer backs are at risk for diseases of the spinal column including bulging discs. Not only does this cause pain but it can also cause paralysis, incontinence and other issues. For those dogs, sleeping on the wrong beds can make the problems more serious and may cause them to develop faster. Some dogs can injure themselves very seriously if they are allowed to jump on the furniture or on your bed so having their own, super comfy bed can help prevent that temptation.
Vet Approved, Vet Recommended
Some vets will ask about the sleeping conditions of dogs that they treat especially the ones who have any pain related to their joints. For those dogs, the vet will often recommend an orthopedic bed. He might have a list of brands and resources for finding them that he hands out. If not, you can always ask for suggestions and recommendations. Most vets are more than happy to help you find the right bed for your dog.
Another great resource is the local pet store. While they are certainly going to try to get you to buy from them, they usually will make suggestions and give you good advice on picking the right size. Some stores will order the bed for you so that you can pick it up there. You may also be able to have the store have it shipped directly to you.
If you prefer to do your own research remember that the two most important factors are the memory foam itself and the size of the bed. Make sure the bed is big enough for the dog to stretch out to sleep even if he usually prefers a curled up position. Memory foam is rated by “pound”. The higher the number here, the better the quality. If you are comparing two beds and one says “3 pounds” and one says “5 pounds” the latter is the better quality and should be the one that you buy.
