As dogs and cats age, they often develop arthritis or hip dysplasia and need additional support for their muscles and joints when lying down. Senior-age dogs and cats can sleep as much as 20 hours per day so their comfort is a paramount concern. Their mobility, mood, and pain levels can all be affected by the type and quality of their beds. Remember when we were kids and we could sleep all night on a friend’s floor? We woke up the next day feeling fine. But as we age, we find that sleeping on a hard floor, even a carpeted floor, is less comfortable, and we can feel achy from that for days. Our pets feel the same way.
Is your pet having a hard time getting into or up from their regular dog bed? Do they seem stiff or move a little slower after a long nap or in the morning after sleeping all night? Do they keep changing positions or seem to not find a comfortable spot in their current dog bed or do they completely avoid their bed now? It’s time for a new bed.
Dogs and cats should have quality beds their entire lives. Look for beds that don’t flatten under their weight and protect them from feeling the hard floor underneath, like when they lean on their elbow to get up.
What type of bed is best? There’s orthopedic beds, raised beds, cave beds, and donut beds. Let’s look at each one.
Orthopedic Beds
Selecting the right orthopedic bed involves careful consideration of various factors. The term “orthopedic” is used loosely to describe a bed that is firmer and designed specifically for pain alleviation. When shopping for a dog's new bed, you'll be faced with a number of foam choices, including orthopedic, memory, and egg-crate foam.
- Orthopedic foam provides extra support over regular dog beds. This mattress type leans more on the firmer side, with thicker, dense foam. Its firmness supports your dog’s body weight in a way that also encourages proper spine alignment. This results in better pressure relief on their joints and back. These mattresses are investment products since they are often pricey but last longer than other types.
- Memory foam works with your dogs’ weight, their physical form, and temperature to create a snug nest in which your dogs sleep [4]. It has the ability to contour around pressure before going back to its original shape once pressure is released. This allows it to adapt to your dogs’ body shapes and relieve any unnecessary strain on their joints and limbs [purple]. Look for a mattress that is a minimum of 2 inches up to 7 inches of memory foam. A good way to judge a bed is to put it down on the floor and push down on it to see if you can feel the floor through the mattress. If you can, then it is too thin and will not help support and protect your dog [1].
- Egg-crate foam earns its name from its distinctive wavy design, reminiscent of the bottom of an egg carton. The foam’s peaks and valleys are softer than a solid block of foam and helps air circulate. The surface also offers some shock absorption which is good for older dogs with arthritic joints. While lower in quality and health benefits, the egg crate’s consistent surface doesn’t pile and ball up like polyfill material. It also offers the additional benefit of keeping your dog warmer in cold weather and cooler in warm weather.
- For added luxury, explore heated dog beds, offering warmth and comfort for your furry friend.
It’s important to look for a solid supportive mattress, not just fluffy stuffing for larger and older dogs. These types of fluffy beds are no better than laying on the floor and need to be replaced so often that they are more expensive in the long run than if you invest in a high quality, human-grade bed. [1] Also, ensure the bed is the appropriate size for your dog, allowing them to stretch out completely.
Raised Beds
Raised beds elevate dogs (and cats) off the ground. Some are shaped like a cot with a mesh or fabric surface, while others resemble couches or human beds on legs. They all serve the same purpose to keep your dog on a supported surface that doesn’t feel the hard, cold floor.
- Raised beds can provide orthopedic support across your pet’s entire body. The surface is generally a taut mesh, not a mattress filled with stuffing that can lose its consistency and become lumpy [3].
- The elevated bottom keeps your dog from feeling the hard ground. Beds shaped like couches and human beds should still have a mesh bottom, and not a solid bottom that acts like the hard floor.
- Raised beds are great for temperature control. During warm months, a mesh surface allows air through while the elevation keeps your dog off hot, cold or wet patios. Staying off the ground keeps your pet cleaner and reduces the amount of dirt tracked into your home (or camping tent!).
- Senior dogs, and dogs with disabilities, can get on and off raised beds easier since they don’t have to bend down or pull their weight up so far [3].
- Since the bed is lifted up, it’s easy to vacuum underneath. Clean house, happy owners!
- You can stack a heating pad or warm bed on top if needed.
Cave Beds and Donut Beds
Elderly pets often struggle to retain their body heat. They can stay warm in enclosed cave-shaped beds that keep out drafts and keep heat in. These beds are also popular with senior cats who seek privacy and isolation.
Donut beds are round with a cozy spot in the middle for cats and small dogs to cuddle in. Some donut beds are lined with furry material or have attached hoods or blankets for added warmth. While these beds rarely have orthopedic properties, additional cushions can be added to increase support.
What about your bed? Should your dog sleep with you?
Many people find comfort and feel safer having a pet in their room at night. The pet can have those same feelings. Pets can feel safe and loved in their own bed as long as that pet bed meets their needs. Is your pet cold? A self-heating pad, cave bed, or hooded donut bed can warm them up, sometimes more than lying on top of your bed. Is the ground too hard? An orthopedic bed or raised bed can solve that problem. These beds can be used together to form the ultimate warm, comfortable sleeping experience.
The decision to invite your pet to sleep in your bed with you is yours. A Mayo Clinic study examined the effects of a dog sharing your bed. Dogs, and cats, move around at night. Sometimes then turn and shift, while other times they walk on you and check to see if you’re breathing. It disturbs your sleep. Keep in mind that if your tossing and turning wakes them up, they have many hours in the day to make up for any lost sleep. It’s not that easy for you. The study found that having a dog sleep in your room may not disrupt your sleep, but having them in your bed does [2].
Other factors to consider are allergies and dirt. Brushing and bathing can help but allergies can be exasperated when a pet is inches from your face. If your pet goes outside, even on supervised walks, they can carry dirt and sometimes disgusting things in their fur. And now it’s in your bed. Yikes.
Lastly, older pets with incontinence problems can wet the bed. It’s a lot easier to unzip a pet bed and throw it in the washing machine.
Selecting the right bed for your aging dogs and cats is crucial for their comfort and overall happiness. Whether it's an orthopedic bed with various foam options, a raised bed for temperature control, or cozy cave and donut beds for added warmth, the choices are diverse. While deciding whether your pet sleeps in their own bed or shares yours is a personal choice, considering factors like sleep disruptions, allergies, cleanliness, and potential incontinence issues is essential. By providing the perfect bed, you're not only offering a comfortable resting place but also enhancing your pet's daily well-being. Sweet dreams to both you and your cherished furry companions!
References
- McLean Animal Hospital. (2019). Does my dog need an orthopedic bed? https://mcleanah.com/does-my-dog-need-an-orthopedic-bed/
- Patel, S. I., Miller, B. W., Kosiorek, H. E., Parish, J. M., Lyng, P. J., & Krahn, L. E. (2017, September). The effect of dogs on human sleep in the home sleep environment. In Mayo Clinic Proceedings (Vol. 92, No. 9, pp. 1368-1372). Elsevier.
- Tripp City Veterinary Hospital. (2019, July 5). 11 Reasons to consider getting a raised dog bed. https://tippvet.com/11-reasons-to-consider-getting-a-raised-dog-bed/
- Vetinfo. (n.d.). The benefits of an orthopedic dog bed. https://www.vetinfo.com/benefits-orthopedic-dog-bed.html