When your dog has arthritis, has an injury or has had surgery, one thing that may help give him comfort is a therapeutic dog bed. This type of dog bed is specifically made to alleviate some of the pain and discomfort that dogs in these situations have to deal with. Buying the right bed for your dog is the key to helping your dog rest and heal comfortably.
Memory Foam Dog Beds
The most common type of therapeutic dog beds are those containing a foam material. One type of foam dog bed is the type of foam called memory foam because it is designed to conform to the shape of the dog as it lays on it. This unique quality of memory foam eliminates pressure on certain areas of the dog’s body, like the hips, shoulders or other joints, and to reduce the pain that pressure on those areas normally causes. Make sure to get a memory foam bed that is thick enough though, because otherwise the dog will still make contact with the floor which will defeat its purpose. Below is a great memory foam bed that is thick and also has a durable, waterproof cover.
- Many sizes available
- Thick memory foam
- Durable, removable & washable cover
- Water resistant liner
If your dogs prefer to have a bed with sides on it, then here is a great bolster memory foam bed:
- Several sizes & colors available
- 4″ memory foam base
- Machine washable cover
- Waterproof inner liner
Convoluted Foam Dog Beds
Another popular type of foam dog bed is made from convoluted foam. This type of foam is commonly called “egg crate” foam because of its unique shape that is similar to an egg crate. Because of its shape, the peaks are said to absorb pressure and provide weight distribution for arthritic or geriatric dogs. Also, dogs that are immobile due to injury or surgery recovery may benefit from this type of bed because the convoluted foam is said to provide more air circulation to prevent sores on pressure points of the body.
- Several sizes & two color choices
- Double layer of foam inside
- Reversible Bed – Sherpa or Microfiber side
- Water resistant cover
Heated Dog Beds
Another type of therapeutic dog bed is a heated bed. Just as in humans, heat provides relief from sore, tired muscles as well as pain from arthritic joints. This type of bed is good for older dogs or those with hip dysplasia, arthritis, or any other joint or pain problems. We have found one of these heated dog beds that has good reviews from the users.
- Two sizes to choose from
- Heated pillow that is energy efficient
- Cover and heater are removable to allow washing
- Tested and certified for safety
Cooling Dog Beds
If you have an older dog that lives in a hot climate, then your dog might benefit from a cooling bed. It’s also beneficial for dogs that have Cushing’s disease. I have used these cooling beds myself with my dogs and they work great. There are different kinds of cooling beds, but the one that I have used is filled with water and dissipates the dog’s body heat through the water. It doesn’t require any electricity to run, so it is not an electrical hazard. The only problems that we have had is the seams seem to start to leak after using for a year or so. So we make sure to monitor the seams for leaks to make sure the floor isn’t getting soaked underneath without us knowing about it. The manufacturer has a great warranty so be sure to save your receipt and contact them if you find your bed starts to leak. Also, if you buy the large size, it is quite heavy after it is filled, so be sure to have it in place before filling. The cooling bed below is filled with gel instead of water. The reviews are good and nobody complained about the seams leaking on this bed.
- 3 hour cooling with 15-20 minute recharge
- Self-activating non-toxic gel
- Foldable & light weight for easy travel
- Indoor or outdoor use
As shown, there are a variety of therapeutic dog beds available. Depending on your dog’s specific needs, you should be able to find one that will help your dog and give him or her a comfortable night’s rest. There’s nothing more that we want as dog lover’s than to see our beloved dogs resting comfortably.
Which type of therapeutic dog beds have you used and what are your thoughts?