Waking up cheerful and well-rested is one of the best feelings in the world. And your furry best friend deserves that feeling every morning. That is why you need to get him the best orthopedic dog bed.

13 Best Orthopedic Dog Beds That We Recommend

1. Furhaven Pet Dog Bed – Deluxe Therapeutic Traditional Mat Rectangular Step-On Foam Mattress
2. Big Barker 7″ Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed for Large and Extra Large Breed Dogs
3. K&H Pet Products Thermo-Snuggly Sleeper Heated Pet Bed Sage
4. BarksBar Gray Orthopedic Dog Bed, Snuggly Sleeper with Solid Orthopedic Foam, Extra Comfy Cotton-Padded Rim Cushion
5. Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed Lounge Sofa Removable Cover
6. Brindle Waterproof Designer Memory Foam Pet Bed
7. Furhaven Dog Bed – Therapeutic Round Cuddle Nest Snuggery Burrow Blanket Pet Bed
8. Dogbed4less Premium Memory Foam Dog Bed, Pressure-Relief Orthopedic, Waterproof Case
9. Best Friends by Sheri The Original Calming Shag Vegan Fur Donut Cuddler
10. BarkBox Memory Foam Platform Dog Bed – Plush Mattress for Orthopedic Joint Relief
11. Kopeks – 7-inch Thick High-Grade Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Bed With Pillow
12. JOYELF Orthopedic Dog Bed Memory Foam Pet Bed with Removable Washable Cover
13. Sealy Lux Quad Layer Orthopedic Dog Bed with Cooling Gel

What exactly is an orthopedic bed and why does my dog need it?

The comfort of your dog is a priority, especially if your pet has reached a certain age or is recovering from a disease or an injury. The orthopedic bed offers support for your dog’s muscles and bones thus making his time spent in bed a real healing experience.

And after all the adventures you went through, your dog needs his special place to regain his strength because new adventures are awaiting.

How do they work?

The base definition of orthopaedia would be: a branch of medicine that deals with problems involving the bones and muscles. Orthopedic bed for dogs is made from high-quality modern materials that adapt their shape to the shape of the dog’s body.

This ability makes the most use of the bed by supporting your dog’s bones and painful muscles allowing him to take a rest and let the body recover itself.

They are mostly used for dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia and similar chronic conditions, or dogs that reached their old age and need some extra care, or dogs recovering from recent surgery.

Types of orthopedic dog beds

Picking the right orthopedic bed for your dog is not an easy job. Consider the fact that he will be spending a good amount of time there, dreaming about The Great Bone In The Sky.

The market offers us a decent amount of choice but we are here to help you make the right one. Let’s start with types of orthopedic beds.

Memory foam orthopedic dog beds

The scientific term for memory foam is “viscoelastic polyurethane foam”. The material was invented by NASA in the ‘70s for space race purposes. Although the memory foam never conquered the space, it successfully infiltrated our homes and bedrooms in the form of mattresses, and lately, dog beds.

The quality of a good memory foam orthopedic bed is measured by the density of the material, not necessarily by the thickness of the bed. The material itself adapts to your dog’s body shape and temperature, dividing its weight evenly on the surface, which allows your dog the maximum comfort and support.

There are several types of memory foam, ranked from the cheap knock-off to the most modern ones, with air pockets.

Waterproof orthopedic dog beds

Whether your pet is a playful puppy or an honorable middle-aged sire, you are going to need a waterproof bed. Puppies are full of energy and yet untrained, so the great dog water dispenser can easily end up as a play toy in the bed.

Also, untrained puppies are prone to wetting their bed. The older dogs often suffer from incontinence issues as well as limited ability to go outside and do their thing in the park. Moreover, you need to protect the durability of the bed and keep it odor free and easy to clean.

Cooling orthopedic dog beds

If you see your beloved pet panting excessively and resting often on the kitchen or bathroom tiles that can only mean one thing – he is too hot. Dogs can’t regulate the temperature as we do, and most of them are very furry so they have a problem with sweating when the hotter days arrive.

Luckily, there are solutions for that. Cooling orthopedic dog beds are filled with water or a special gel that pull the excess body from your dog while warming the bed.

When your dog is freed from the excess heat, he will get up from bed, and the bed will cool again on his own thus recharging its ability of cooling. Extremely practical as a refreshment for hot summer days.

Elevated dog beds

If you have a puppy or a smaller breed dog, you can always get him an elevated dog bed. It is raised usually ten centimeters from the floor, securing the natural airflow needed for cooling, and gets along great with elevated bowls for dog’s food and water.

Beware, if your dog has any mobility problem or bigger body size, the elevated bed might not be the best choice for him.

Orthopedic bolster beds (couch-styled)

Let’s get back to the issue of comfort again. Many dogs with small body size or weight can not use the full benefits of memory foam. That’s where bolster beds come in. Most dogs like the idea of stretching in their bed and having the place to rest their neck and head.

The bolster bed has a soft, couch-like look with comfortable borders surrounding it, three-sided or fully closed. The very shape of it allows your dog to curl up, stretch and tuck himself in pillows while having a sense of security.

Also, it can get your dog to stop claiming your sofa or armchair. Smaller, anxious dogs will feel more protected snugged in pillows while the big ones will feel like a king in his throne.

What makes a great orthopedic dog bed

There are many many things to consider when you are buying a good orthopedic bed for your furry son. This article will guide you to all details to ensure that you made the right choice and secure the best option for your dog’s well-being and comfort.

It’s all about the size

The standard sizes marked by the sellers of the dogs can often be misleading. What’s “medium” dog bed size for a Chihuahua will, at best, serve as a pillow for your Samoyed or Great Dane.

Get yourself a measuring tape and start measuring your dog, from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail. Then buy him a bed that’s fairly bigger to ensure his maximum comfort.

Bear in mind the sleeping habits of your dog, so if he is a restless sleeper or a stretcher, get him a size that will secure him to actually stay in a bed. If you have a puppy, consider the fact that they grow pretty quickly, so you don’t have to buy a new bed every couple of months.

Pad thickness and density

The bed pad should be at least 8 cm thick, even thicker for heavier dogs. More thickness means more comfort, and you don’t want a pad that you can feel the floor through.

But the density of the material is even more important, especially in a memory foam type. You want a firm, supportive pad, that will easily change the shape and support the most critical parts of your pet’s body.

Durability

You need an orthopedic dog bed that can last. High-quality orthopedic dog beds can be rather expensive and you don’t want to throw your hard-earned money to the wind. Beware if your dog is a chewer or a scratcher and pick sturdier materials for the bed.

The waterproofing feature is a must, so the inside of the bed doesn’t get dirty or smells repulsive. The zippers and stitches must be firm and high quality. Your dog will literally destroy the bed if it is of low quality.

Easy to maintain

While the majority of the orthopedic dog beds have removable parts that can be washed, there are even some types that can entirely be washed in a laundromat.

Pick a bed that you will have time and possibilities to maintain correctly. Check for a waterproof and stain-free option. The easiness of maintaining depends on the quality of materials used for making the bed so bear that in mind, too.

Non-slip bottom

Non-slip bottom secures that your dog bed stays on the place. You don’t want your pooch chasing the bed around the house, do you? That can easily happen, especially if the floor surface is wooden or tiles.

The non-slip bottom is usually made of rubber, that sticks well to the floor, preventing the bed from moving. That is essential because your dog can be injured while trying to get in or out of the bed that tends to move, even refuse to use the bed because he feels unsafe.

The waterproof function will secure that your bed doesn’t slip even on a wet floor.

Shape and maintaining the shape

Dog beds come in all shapes and colors, and orthopedic ones are not an exception. Beside standard square type, or a doughnut, couch ore some other common shape, you can customize your dog bed to look whatever you want.

The hard part is maintaining that look and shape. Always pick a dog bed with a guarantee that it will hold that shape up to ten years. It sounds like a lot of time, but top-quality manufacturers and sellers can guarantee you that, with proper maintaining.

Special features

After you secured the most important features of the bed, you can add a personal touch to it. The cooling beds we mentioned, but how about the one with the warming function? Or an igloo so your pooch can pretend he’s an Eskimo? Or a real bolster castle, with all the biggest toys for dogs placed?

There are no limits to your imagination. If you and your dog like to travel, there are even portable travel beds to make your pet feel like home anywhere, or outdoor-proof beds so you can enjoy evenings on the porch or picnics by the river without any worry.

Does spending more means more quality

Although spending more money doesn’t have to guarantee you anything, there are things you have to take into consideration. High-quality materials tend to be a bit pricey, especially everlasting memory foam.

Be very careful if the price seems too good to be true because there are a lot of copycats and scammers around. Always buy your dog beds from renowned manufacturers and sellers. Quality parts, secure zippers, double stitching, extra features, they all come with a price.

But the amount of security and comfort that the best orthopedic dog bed provides to your best friend in life, you can not put the price on it. Finally, a good, high-quality dog bed can save you numerous visits to the veterinarian’s office and the expenses that come with that.

How to get your dog to like his new bed

The dogs are smell-orientated. That means that your dog will probably hate his new bed from the beginning just because its smell is unknown to him.

There are several ways to settle that, and all require patience and treats. If your dog has never had a dog bed, try to find out what is his favorite part of the house for napping and put the new bed there.

The place must be in a location where he feels safe. The place must be away from electric cables, not under the window, but positioned so the dog can see the most of the house. Tricky, I know.

Then put some of his favorite toys and treats on the new bed, and rub your hands through the bed mat, so your pet can recognize the familiar scent and feel calm.

Encourage him to use the bed and don’t bother him once he fells asleep. If your dog has already owned his bed, and you bought a replacement, use some tricks from your sleeve. Toss the old bed and put a new one at the same place. Take his favorite little blanket and cover the new bed, so he will not recognize the change, at least at the start.

For extra safety, toss one of your old shirts in the new bed, along with the treats and the toys, to entirely cover up the smell of the new bed. If the trick doesn’t work and your dog demonstratively sleeps on the floor, give him some time.

He will be bought by the comforts of an orthopedic bed, sooner or later. When it happens, give him a pet and tons of treats.

How to clean and maintain your dog’s orthopedic bed

Cleaning and maintaining your dog’s bed is essential, not just for the increased durability of the bed, but for the safety of your pooch. Even the calmest house dogs can get dirty as pigs if you just give them an opportunity.

Hygiene of their bed is important because it keeps the parasites and disease carriers away from your dog and consequently from your family. As a start, use a vacuum cleaner to clean all the fur and dirt from the bed.

Then remove all the removable parts and wash them in a washing machine, on the highest temperature to kill all the germs. Be sure to check with the seller if the bed is fully machine-washable. If not, carefully wash it by rubbing it strong in warm water, with a small addition of mild soap or detergent.

Be careful not to use any stronger chemicals as they can damage the bed and have an unpleasant influence on your dog. Dry all the parts in the dryer or in the sun and put them back together. Your dog will be thankful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you clean your dog’s bed?

It depends on the habits of your dog. Generally speaking, once every 10 days would suffice. But if your dog is an outdoor type or sheds a lot, or you and your family have some allergies, consider cleaning the dog’s bed more often.

After all, it can never be to clean, right? Clean it immediately after the trip to the wilderness, or if your dog barfs, has a “number two” accident on the bed and so on. Anyhow, just use a bit of common sense and a good anti-odor spray.

What size to choose for my dog?

Choose a size that would make your best friend comfortable. The bed cannot be too big, but it must be big enough so your pet can sleep, lie down, roll over and chase imaginary rabbits in his dream. The bed that is too small, well… it is too small and has no purpose.

What bed thickness should I pick for my dog?

Depends on the weight of your dog, but 8 cm, at least, should be a normal thickness of a good orthopedic dog bed. For an older dog, double it. Remember, more thickness means more comfort for your pal.

Which style of orthopedic dog bed should I choose?

Choose the one that suits your dog the most. After all, you know all his sleeping and resting habits better than anyone else. And there is an unlimited choice of colors, shapes, and sizes on the market.

My dog is pregnant. Is raised dog bed safe for her?

Raised or elevated dog bed is perfectly safe for your dog’s early pregnancy but as time goes by, she will need a safer surrounding for her and her puppies. Get her a nice, pleasant classical dog bed, because the elevated one will not be safe for her as she will gain more weight and find it difficult to move.

Short conclusion

Through this guide, we gave you a tour in the world of orthopedic beds for dogs. Bottom line is that the bed should be durable, easy to use, stain resistible and provide your dog with maximum comfort to ease his medical condition.

Even if your dog is as healthy as an ox, a good orthopedic bed is a good investment in his health. We trust you will make the right decision and get your best friend a bed fit for a king because your dog truly deserves it.

Photos from: vitalytitov / depositphotos.com, jmpaget / depositphotos.com, damedeeso / depositphotos.com, graphicphoto / depositphotos.com, damedeeso / depositphotos.com.