Finding the best place to sleep for your dog is not that easy. This is extremely important, after all, four-legged friends sleep or rest for up to 20 hours a day. This is where the orthopedic dog bed comes in. Senior dogs and dogs with joint problems in particular benefit from such an ergonomic sleeping place, which relieves their joints.
In our comparison, you will learn more about the advantages of an ergonomic dog cushion and what you should pay attention to when buying one.
First things first
Ergonomic dog beds offer your dog a special sleeping comfort.
The orthopedic mattress relieves the spine and other joints.
Orthopedic sleeping places are particularly suitable for dogs with arthrosis, old dogs and all dogs that like to lie comfortably.
There are both orthopedic dog beds and pillows – it all depends on what your dog prefers.
What is an orthopedic dog bed?
An ergonomic dog bed is a dog sleeping place, which adapts to the body of your dog thanks to the material and thus ensures a healthy sleep.
The key to this lies in the material used. Memory foam or viscose foam is mostly used for orthopedic dog beds. These materials adapt to your dog’s anatomy. This means that the material reacts to the temperature and weight of your dog and ideally adapts to the dog’s body. In this way, pressure on the spine or joints is balanced and these are supported and relieved.
In addition, the materials used to store your dog’s body heat particularly well.
The benefits of an orthopedic dog bed
An ergonomic sleeping place for your dog has a lot of advantages:
More sleeping comfort: Since the pressure points on the spine are relieved, your dog lies particularly comfortably and can sleep better.
Tension is relieved: the dog’s muscles can relax through the pressure relief and the stored heat, which means that tension can be released better and pain can be alleviated.
Has a preventive effect: Even if your dog is still young and fit and has no joint problems, you can preventively relieve the joints with an orthopedic dog bed and thus prevent diseases to a certain extent.
Easier getting up: Older or sick dogs can get up more easily after a long period of rest because the material used means they don’t sink in too deeply.
An orthopedic dog bed is suitable for these dogs
Due to their high lying comfort, orthopedic dog beds are in principle suitable for all dogs:
Dogs with osteoarthritis and other joint diseases: Almost every fifth dog will develop osteoarthritis in the course of its life, as shown by various studies and statistics. In addition to osteoarthritis, many dogs are affected by arthritis, hip dysplasia, spondylosis, or problems with the elbows or hips. Large dog breeds in particular are prone to joint diseases.
These dogs suffer from morning stiffness, especially after long periods of rest, and have trouble getting up. In these cases, orthopedic bedding is very important as it relieves the spine and joints and prevents pain and stiffness.
Large dogs: As already mentioned, larger dog breeds are particularly prone to osteoarthritis. But this is not the only reason why large dogs should preferably sleep on memory foam: If your dog is relatively large and heavy, most materials will give in to its weight after a while, meaning that they will quickly sag. The spine is then in a malposition, which can be really painful.
Older dogs: Similar to humans, older dogs become more sluggish and their joints more sensitive. An orthopedic mattress ensures that the pressure points are relieved during sleep. Standing up is also much more comfortable on viscose foam or memory foam, as the dog does not sink in so deeply.
Operated dogs: After a surgical procedure, a pressure-relieving dog bed is a real blessing for your dog and can support healing.
Healthy dogs: Not only older, operated or already ill dogs benefit from an ergonomic dog cushion. Most dogs lie or sleep 12 to 20 hours a day. If your dog sleeps in a bed that does not provide pressure relief for the joints and their spine sags while sleeping, the more likely it is that even a healthy and fit dog will develop joint problems. It is therefore worth investing in an orthopedic dog bed even for a healthy dog.
You should pay attention to these properties when buying
There is a wide range of orthopedic dog beds to choose from. So that you can find the right bed for your dog, you should consider a few points.
The right kind
First of all, you should consider what kind of sleeping place it should be. There are large ergonomic dog cushions or dog beds with a border of Knuffelwuff, Trixie, and Co. Does your dog like to stretch out on all fours? Then a large pillow might be a better choice. Or does he prefer to curl up or snuggle up? Then a dog bed with a higher edge is a good idea.
The right material: The dog bed should be made of it
In order for the new ergonomic dog bed to achieve its effect, you should pay particular attention to the material used for the lying surface. So that the pressure points are relieved and your dog can lie comfortably and is easy on the joints, the bed should be made of high-quality foam. Memory foam and viscose foam are particularly suitable for this. These have a higher material density than conventional foam fillings, which means that the mattress adapts to your dog’s body heat and body shape.
Ideally, the upper material of the dog bed should be robust and water-repellent, so that it can withstand even small dirt finches. Solid types of fabric, imitation leather, and plush are particularly popular.
The right size
When choosing the right dog bed, the size plays a decisive role. Since most orthopedic sleeping places have a border, it is important to pay attention to the size of the lying surface or to plan a few centimeters more. To find the right size, simply measure your dog from the snout to the base of the tail and add 10 to 20 cm depending on size and breed.
The cleaning/washability
So that you can clean the dog bed regularly, it is advisable to choose a model whose cover you can remove and wash. Otherwise, the material should be easy to clean by hand. Very few beds, however, are completely washable.
The accessories
Additional accessories are included with some models. This can be, for example, an additional cover or a dog mat to prevent incontinence. If you want your dog to be particularly comfortable, you can also cover his bed with a fluffy blanket.
Cost: This is how much you should plan for the purchase of an orthopedic dog bed
When we look around for a new mattress, we have to dig a little deeper into our pockets for a high-quality product. The same also applies to orthopedic dog cushions and ergonomic dog beds. In contrast to simple dog beds, they are somewhat higher in price.
You can get small versions from Amazon for around $50. However, most orthopedic dog beds cost between $100 and $200. But they also convince with the high sleeping comfort and appropriate quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an orthopedic dog bed?
This is a sleeping place for your dog, which is ergonomically designed for the physique. In this section, you will learn more about it.
Why an orthopedic dog bed?
An orthopedic dog bed increases your dog’s sleeping comfort and is particularly helpful for older animals and dogs with joint and spinal disorders.
What does an orthopedic dog bed do?
An ergonomic dog bed ensures that your dog’s spine and joints are relieved while sleeping. The special material adapts to the body shape of your dog.
Who needs an orthopedic dog bed?
An orthopedic dog bed is generally suitable for every dog. But especially large and older dogs often suffer from joint problems. With an ergonomic dog cushion, you can optimize the lying position of your dog. You can find more information here.
How does an orthopedic dog bed work?
The frequently used materials memory foam or visco foam adapt to the body shape of your dog. They react to the temperature and weight of your four-legged friend. The pressure is reduced and the spine and joints are relieved. You can find more information here.
How much does the ergonomic dog bed cost?
The price range for ergonomic dog beds is quite large. Inexpensive models usually start at around $50. A large orthopedic dog bed with a special filling can also cost a good $100 to $200.
