Things to consider when buying orthopedic dog beds

Linda Brent, an animal behavior scientist and the CEO of Blue Toby, says that owners should also consider the preferred sleeping position(s) of their dog, such as whether they like to sleep stretched out or prefer to stay curled up. She explains, “The type of dog bed also helps to determine proper sizing. For example, bolsters (arms) on the bed take up space for the body, so it is good to know the size without bolsters to ensure your dog can move around. The width is just as important as the length, since dogs often lie in different directions.”

Finally, don’t overlook the height of each bed. According to Davis, “Your dog’s bed should also be higher if they are taller, above their ankle joint, but below their elbow – something they can easily ‘walk on/walk off’, without them having to climb into the bed, or having to get up from close to floor level after rest.”

Materials and Durability: Paying attention to the materials and overall durability of each orthopedic dog bed is essential. “Unfortunately, most dog beds have inexpensive foams or fiberfill inside, which can off-gas chemicals and are not recyclable,” says Brent. Instead, she recommends choosing a bed with CertiPUR-US certified foam or the newer recycled alternative AirString, which is primarily composed of air.

Don’t overlook the cover material of each bed option, either. “Orthopedic foam is only as good as the material above it – non-stretch material over orthopedic foam is like sleeping on your memory foam mattress wearing jeans,” says Davis. Additionally, Brent explains that the cover material of a dog bed may also carry a certification to let you know that it’s a safer or healthier option for your pup. A few of these certifications include organic, GreenGuard Gold, or Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex.

Thicker materials can enhance the durability but may also take away from the overall comfort of your pup. To balance these priorities, Brent says, “Another option is a second outer cover to protect the bed." Waterproof liners can also help prevent accidents from seeping down to the foam layers and damaging them. Finally, you may also want to prioritize choosing a bed that has a nonslip base to help keep it from sliding across the floor and making it more difficult for your dog to get into and out of it.

Support Level: The reason you’re shopping for an orthopedic bed is likely to offer greater support for your dog’s joints, whether to prevent future issues or to improve their current pain and mobility levels. For this reason, it’s imperative to consider the support level provided by each bed, or more specifically the foam inside each bed. Memory foam is known for its ability to contour to the shape of each body, but all memory foam isn’t identical. Brent says, “Foams are categorized by density and firmness. Foam density is connected to the quality and durability.”

The amount of support and thickness/number of layers of foam that your dog will most benefit from will depend on their weight. Brent explains, “For orthopedic purposes (such as for large or heavy dogs or those with arthritis, hip dysplasia, etc.), it is important that the bed have multiple layers: a top layer that is very soft, a middle layer that is medium soft, and a bottom support layer [that] works well to cradle joints and support heavy areas (such as hips and shoulders).”

Care Instructions: Be sure to carefully read the care instructions for the various dog beds you’re considering. Think about how easy to clean each bed will be when it gets dirty. Many manufacturers design their beds with a removable cover. Often, these covers are machine-washable, but some may require hand-washing or line-drying. Think about the frequency with which you’re likely to clean the bed and how easy or difficult doing so will be to help guide your search.

The foam filling of orthopedic dog beds isn’t machine-washable. For this reason, finding a bed that offers a waterproof liner to protect the foam can help make the cleaning process easier and protect the filling from getting ruined by a pet accident.

To make shopping easier, just check out the Blue Toby Pet Beds. Everything that you and your dog needs is already here!