Don’t let the seemingly technical name fool you—the best orthopedic dog bed for your dear pooch is the one that helps them feel comfy, cozy, and ready to hit the hay after a long day of dogging. “My impression is that ‘orthopedic’ beds are supposed to provide a greater amount of support or cushion than standard dog beds, but I do not think there are strict criteria that need to be met to label a dog bed as being orthopedic,” Samuel P. Franklin, MS, DVM, PhD, tells SELF, adding that a bed marketed as orthopedic might not be the superior choice to a bed that isn’t. Rather, you should just take that label as an indication that the bed probably features a memory foam fill (or a similarly high-density material), a thicker base, and other details intended to help dogs feel comfortable, without any unpleasant pressure points.
Explicitly orthopedic or not, these features are generally desirable for dogs that need additional comfort and support. As Christopher Frye, a DVM who is also certified by the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, tells SELF: “We do recommend good bedding with adequate cushioning for many of our patients, particularly patients that have difficulty rising from a down position or that spend much of their time in bed.” He adds that, in addition to more sedentary pups and older dogs, larger dogs may also enjoy a bed with these features, since they tend to place more pressure on certain parts of their body when lying down and could probably benefit from the added structure associated with orthopedic beds.
In other words, orthopedic dog beds can provide general relief (and, in many cases, plenty of cushy comfort) for a tired dog’s body, but won’t resolve any underlying issues with your dog’s health, including hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, and other common orthopedic conditions, Dr. Franklin says. And, for the record, if your dog deals with severe joint pain, orthopedic problems, or mobility issues, Dr. Frye says to speak with your veterinarian about the best plan for managing their discomfort—and that includes finding the best bedding for your dog’s needs.
READ RELATED: The 23 Best Bidets That Will Leave You So Fresh and So Clean
“I don’t believe that pet owners should feel that they need to purchase a dog bed that is labeled as orthopedic or that if they do it will prevent these problems,” Dr. Franklin says. “With that being said, I think providing a comfortable and supportive bed is nice for the dog, even if it isn’t a panacea for all orthopedic problems.”
So, with all that in mind, if the bells and whistles that come with an orthopedic dog bed sound like the right fit for your pet, you don’t necessarily have to follow any specific standards while shopping for one. Rather, you can simply look for a high-quality bed with a supportive core and a soft cover. Below, we’ve highlighted a selection of the best orthopedic dog beds on the market, plus a few that have similar descriptions but may lack the label. In our research, we specifically looked at ones that earned high ratings and glowing reviews from pet owners (and, we’re assuming, their furry friends too). Read on to level up your pup’s sleep.
Source: SELF
