Why We Wanted Our Dog Beds to be Orthopedic
Even the most energetic puppy of all time needs to settle down and find a spot to relax. While we like to think our dogs spend all day running around, after a year in lockdown, I can see that my pup spends most of her day sleeping–everywhere. I then realized I had to switch to an orthopedic dog bed to give her the support she needed.
And, I’m not the only one. Gabriela’s first dog was a 13-year old black lab when she adopted her. As she tried to find a bed for her new furry friend, she couldn’t find one that met her dog’s needs and style. So, she started experimenting with different textiles, materials, and ways to make a beautiful dog bed that was both great in style and functionality.
But more than comfort and durability for my dog, high-quality orthopedic dog beds have tremendous benefits for pups struggling with arthritis, dogs at high risk of hip problems, and senior dogs too.
What Exactly is an Orthopedic Dog Bed?
Not every dog out there is “orthopedic.” an orthopedic dog bed provides additional support to your pup’s bones and joints, precisely to the hips and elbows. Orthopedic dog beds are designed to prevent your dog from feeling the floor through the mattress.
Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs
Unless a vet has already ruled out an arthritis problem, it can be tough to spot these issues in your dog. The most common symptoms of arthritis in dogs include:
- Hesitation when getting up after a long period of sitting or lying down
- Painful sensations when you touch their joints or move them
- Joints appear swollen and tender
- Joints feel warm to the touch
- Noticeable change in how fast your dog moves
- Limping or an overall change in their walk
Orthopedic Beds vs. Memory Foam Dog Beds
Many orthopedic beds are filled with memory foam, but that doesn’t mean all memory foam beds are orthopedic. Here’s why: sometimes, memory foam can be designed to be stiffer across the surface, orthopedic beds are designed to provide extra support in specific areas of the bed.
The memory foam technology used for dog beds is the same as it is for human beds. It helps distribute the weight evenly across the bed to relieve pressure on the joints. Memory foam, over time, “remembers” the shape of our dog to make it even more comfortable.
However, memory foam doesn’t come without its troubles. As you might know already, your dog gets a bit hotter while they sleep. Memory foam also “remembers” their temperature, so they might actually make them hotter. LAY LO beds are made of a blended layer of orthopedic foam and breathable polyfill that’s meant to keep your pup cool and fresh all night long.
Do Orthopedic Dog Beds Really Help?
Orthopedic beds are not just for dogs with arthritis. Senior dogs can also benefit from them. Also, dogs with hip dysplasia, joint problems, soft tissue injuries, or very skinny dogs can benefit from sleeping in orthopedic beds. While orthopedic dog beds aren’t the ultimate solution for arthritis, they can help a lot. Here are some ways an orthopedic dog bed can help your pup:
- Regulate temperature: orthopedic foam helps regulate temperature to keep your dog warm. Arthritis research shows that heat treatment can help decrease joint pain and that memory foam can help retain heat to relax your dog’s muscles and ease their arthritis inflammation.
- Sleep more soundly: a thinner bed can place your dog closer to the floor, which can be uncomfortable, especially if they’re dealing with sensible joints. Orthopedic beds allow just enough give to ensure all-night comfort.
- Prevent elbow calluses: calluses can be itchy, painful, and sometimes lacerate and become infected. Hardwood, tile, and concrete flooring all contribute to the formation of elbow calluses. Even dogs that only sleep on their beds can be susceptible if the bedding material doesn’t offer enough support.
- Better accessibility: most orthopedic dog beds have a pillow shape that offers a broader and longer space for pups to stretch out. While it doesn’t seem like a big issue, dogs struggling with arthritis might have a hard time curling up to fit into a more closed-style bed.
- Joint protection: even if your dog doesn’t have arthritis, protecting the joints from the start can help prevent joint problems in the future. Most materials used in traditional dog beds collapse under your dog’s weight, creating pressure points where unsupported dogs are. Memory foam cradles the joints and eliminates these pressure points.
What to Look in an Orthopedic Dog Bed
You wouldn’t settle for the first orthopedic mattress you found online. Why should your dog settle? Here are a few things to look or in an orthopedic dog bed, aka, all the things you can find in a LAY LO bed:
- Waterproof or water-resistant material
- Removable cover
- Solid memory foam that’s at least 4-inches thick
- Non-skid bottom to prevent the bed from slipping
Whether your dog is a young pup or is still young at heart, an orthopedic dog bed can make a huge difference in their quality of life. You want to look at things removable and washable covers that can make your life easier after an accident. Keep in mind, orthopedic dog beds need to have solid firmness, but they need to be comfortable and still mold to your dog’s body shape to provide ultimate comfort.
Did You Know LAY LO Dog Beds Are Orthopedic?
When designing our LAY LO dog beds, we thought about much more than style. It was important for us that our dog beds were as functional as they were beautiful. Our outer covers are made from a durable polyester knit that’s scratch-resistant. Each of our cover covers is 100% machine washable.
We created our inner mattress with a strategic combination of memory foam, polyurethane support foam, and a soft poly-fill for added breathability and support to offer support to senior dogs and susceptible dogs alike.