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Old Dog Resources
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Orthopedic Dog Beds
Choosing the Right Bed for Your Senior Dog
Similar to humans, dogs also experience changes as they age. Their bones become thinner. They lose muscle. Their joints stiffen. Older dogs
enjoy sleeping more and playing less. A strenuous day can mean an evening of discomfort with a pulled muscle or painful joints.
It is important for an older dog to have a comfortable rest area. Achy bodies can mean a cranky pet. Sleeping on a cold hard floor can
cause chronic pain and additional discomfort.
Selecting a mattress is a very personal thing. There are many options from the
inexpensive available off the shelf at discount stores to the very expensive
made to order specialty products. You know that this is something you will be
using every single day for the next five to ten years so most consumers put some
thought into their selection. You consider size of your room and size needed for
comfort. You weight the options on spring count and adjustability. All of these
options are specifically designed to meet different consumers’ needs for a good
night’s sleep.
Have you ever considered you dog’s specific needs for comfortable rest? Senior
dogs over the age of 10 are similar to a seventy-year-old person. Can you
imagine Grandpa curled up on the floor for the evening? How about Grandma
climbing into a waterbed with a two-foot frame? Or better yet, imagine her
trying to get out!
If your older dog currently sleeps on the floor or in a cardboard box with
blankets, his discomfort would be similar to these scenarios. It is even worse
for a senior dog as they spend a good portion of the day at rest.
Consider Your Dog’s Sleep Style
Like every person, every dog has a certain style to
sleeping. Whether trained or individual nature, these idiosyncrasies should be
observed and noted prior to purchasing a dog bed.
Does your dog curl up in a ball?
Does he hang his head over the edge?
Does he like to be able to rest his head with a view of the entire room?
Does he sprawl and stretch out completely?
Does he sleep in a kennel?
Does he like to stay warm under the blankets?
Does he avoid the bed because he needs to cool off?
Does your dog shed or have any other disorder that will cause the bed to need constant cleaning?
Specific Beds for Sleep Styles
By observing your pet, you will have a better idea of what
product to look for as his daily comfortable resting place.
A dog that sleeps in a tight curled up position might prefer a round bed with sides. Beds with sides are great for dogs that like to
hang their head over the edge. Make sure the sides aren’t too high or there is a
lower opening so that your dog won’t have to jump to get in and out. Measure
your dog when his is comfortably sleeping. Use the inside dimensions and compare
to this measurement to choose the right size bed for your dog.
If your dog likes his head on a pillow, try a lounge bed or
couch. Again consider the height for comfort.
If your dog is a sprawler, consider a large flat bed. Be
sure to measure the entire length of your dog at rest to get an idea of how much
space he is using so you can select the correct size.
If your older dog has slept in a kennel his entire life, it
is good to know that there are beds specifically designed for use in dog crates.
Often these will have padded sides for extra comfort.
Orthopedic beds are often a good choice for a senior dog as
they are designed with special high-density foam for additional comfort and
cushion for your dog’s aching bones and joints. Firm, orthopedic foam is
egg-shell shaped to evenly distribute weight and provide extra comfort. The foam
holds its shape for a longer time and will not need to be replaced as often as
beds with traditional polyfil or cedar chips. The foam tends to provide
additional warmth too so if you live in a warmer climate, your dog may prefer a
cooling bed like the Canine Cooler to the traditional orthopedic bed. However if
your dog is extremely sensitive to cold or suffering from arthritis, a heated
dog bed might provide the extra comfort he needs.
If your dog has a shedding or odor problem, make certain
the cover of the bed is removable and washable. Some products such as the Canine
Cooler are a great choice because wiping down with a cloth easily cleans them.
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