The 10 Best Orthopedic Dog Beds

What to Look for When Purchasing an Orthopedic Dog Bed

• Size

First and foremost, pick the best size for your pet. Most dog beds come in a variety of sizes, ranging from small to XXL. Because dog bed sizes vary by manufacturer, it’s critical to check both the required weight and the dimensions of a bed to guarantee your dog can fit comfortably.

• Materials

Orthopedic dog beds are created from high-quality materials to provide excellent support to your dog’s joints. “Materials such as memory foam help support joints and limbs while laying down and provide stability while getting out of beds,” explains Dr. Countner. “The bed should have a non-slip underside or be placed on non-slip flooring to prevent instability when standing up.”

• Style

When it comes to dog beds, there are two major types to look for: flat beds and bolster beds. “Some dogs love flat beds, while others need a bolster along the sides to feel protected or lay their heads on,” explains Dr. Countner. “Some dogs prefer a cooling pad/gel built in because their joints might be inflamed and run hot.”

Reviews

Best Overall: Gray Orthopedic Dog Bed by BarksBar

• Size: 40 x 30 x 10 inches (large)
• 9 pound weight
• Memory foam and cotton padding make up the cover.
• Adult life stage
• Small to Large Breed Size

What We Enjoy

• Touchably soft
• Orthopedic memory foam of human origin
• Cotton-padded walls provide both comfort and security.
• Slip-resistant rubber grip base
• Machine-washable removable cover

What We Dislike

• A little costly

The BarksBar Orthopedic Dog Bed will keep your dog comfortable and cozy, while also giving the extra joint support they require. Our Best Overall bed is available in three sizes to accommodate all dogs and is constructed of a 3.5-inch memory foam foundation topped with a cotton padded bolster. The entire bed is covered in a quilted polyester fabric that is simply removed and washed as needed. Our tester found the cover to be simple to clean in the washing machine, albeit it should be air-dried rather than dried in the dryer.

Dogs enjoy cuddling into the velvety bolster on this bed, which has a non-skid rubber bottom for stability when your dog stands up. Our tester like how the bed’s foundation is comfortable yet sturdy, and how the cushioned borders provided her dog a sense of security while he slept.

Best Budget: Dog Bed Barkbox Orthopedic Ultra Plush Pressure-Relief Memory Foam

• 29 x 18 x 3-inch dimensions (medium)
• Weight: not specified
• Gel memory foam is used for the cover.
• Adult life stage
• Sizes range from little to giant.

What We Enjoy

• Reasonable pricing
• Memory foam with gel infusion adjusts temperature.
• Lining is water-resistant.

What We Dislike

• The foam might be made thicker.
• A touch too large for some containers

Orthopedic dog beds can be expensive due to the high quality of the materials used, but the Barkbox Memory Foam Platform Dog Bed is an economical solution that will keep your elderly dog comfortable. This bed is available in a variety of sizes ranging from tiny to XX-large, as well as a variety of cover colors.

The Barkbox bed has a simple flat surface that can be used as a cage if needed, and it’s comprised of a 3-inch layer of pressure relieving and gel memory foam, which helps to control temperature and ease pressure on joints. The cover is waterproof and machine washable, so you won’t have to worry if your dog has an accident now and then.

Best Splurge: 7-Inch Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed by Big Barker

• 48 x 30 x 7-inch dimensions (large)
• 13.16 pound weight
• Memory foam is the cover material.
• All stages of life
• Sizes range from little to giant.

What We Enjoy

• Various sizes are available, including XXL.
• Orthopedic foam for joints is included.
• Machine-washable
• Made in the United States
• a ten-year warranty

What We Dislike

• Small dogs are not recommended.
• Expensive

If you only want the finest for your aged dog, the Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed is a worthy investment. While it is costly, this bed is composed of only the best memory foam and comes with a 10-year warranty that guarantees it will not flatten or sag with time.

This bed is intended for large dogs and is available in large, extra large, and giant sizes, as well as numerous neutral colors. It’s a flat bed with a bolster on one side made of many layers of memory foam that provide a 7-inch thick sleeping surface for your dog. Our tester said that her dog instantly fell asleep on the bed, attesting to its comfort, and the brand has even conducted tests that suggest it can relieve joint discomfort and stiffness in large dogs.

Best for Large Dogs: Pet Dog Bed Furhaven

• 36 x 27 x 8.5-inch dimensions (large)
• 6.2 pound weight
• Egg crate orthopedic foam is used for the cover.
• All stages of life
• Large to Giant Breed Size

What We Enjoy

• Exceptionally silky fabric
• Bolsters give a supportive headrest.
• Eggshell foam cushioned support

What We Dislike

• Hair is collected by long fabric strands.

Large dog breeds, such as German Shepherds and Labradors, require more area to spread out, and the Furhaven Orthopedic Foam Dog Bed is available in large and giant sizes to accommodate them. This bed has an egg crate-style orthopedic foam base that relieves pressure points and provides joint support, as well as an L-shaped bolster on two sides made of recyclable material.

The bed’s cover is available in a variety of colors to suit your preferences, and it features a luxurious faux fur fabric on top with a wear-resistant micro-suede on the sides. The cover is machine-washable for convenience, and our reviewer claims it holds up well with light fluffing.

Best for Small Dogs + Best with Bolster: Orthopedic Dog Bed Friends Forever

• Size: 25 x 20 x 5.5 inches (small)
• 4.4 pound weight
• Memory foam and poly fill make up the cover.
• Life Stage: Not specified
• Sizes range from little to giant.
• Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed Is Designed for Senior Dogs

What We Enjoy

• Sides are braced for support.
• High-quality construction
• Non-slip base
• Cover is removable and machine-washable.

What We Dislike

• Can gather a lot of hair/fur
• A little costly

Dog beds with bolsters are perfect for pups who want to sleep with their heads on a higher surface, and the Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed has raised borders on three sides, allowing your senior dog to effortlessly jump in. This orthopedic dog bed is available in a variety of sizes, from tiny to gigantic, and in a variety of neutral colors. The base is composed of pressure-relieving memory foam, and it even has a water-resistant layer, which is excellent if your dog has accidents on occasion.

The bed includes an anti-tear cover that will keep your dog’s claws at bay, and a non-slip bottom to keep it in place. Our reviewer stated that her dogs immediately took to the suede-covered bed, but that it does accumulate a lot of pet hair. Fortunately, the cover can be removed and machine washed when necessary.

Best for Crates: Quilted Padded Orthopedic Dog Bed Milliard

• 42 x 27 x 4-inch dimensions (large)
• 4.32 pound weight
• Covering Material: Egg-crate foam
• All stages of life
• Small to Large Breed Size

What We Enjoy

• Standard dog crates are compatible.
• Non-slip base
• Cover is machine washable.

What We Dislike

• Small crates are not available.

The Milliard Orthopedic Dog Bed is the right size to fit in a standard-size dog crate for older dogs who are crate-trained. It comes in small, big, and extra-large sizes to fit 36-, 42-, and 48-inch crates, and it’s made of supportive egg crate foam that gives orthopedic support for older dogs. This dog bed includes a soft quilted cushion top and a non-slip bottom with little rubber grips, and the cover unzips and washes easily.

 

FAQ

What distinguishes an orthopedic dog bed?

Orthopedic dog beds are more supportive than standard dog beds. They’re frequently composed of memory foam, which cushions pressure spots while still supporting joints, and they can help alleviate pain in dogs with arthritis, stiff joints, and other aging-related health issues.

How can I tell if my dog requires an orthopedic bed?

Orthopedic dog beds are particularly popular with older dogs, but they can also help dogs with certain medical conditions. “Dogs with arthritis, painful joints, difficulty standing, mobility concerns, or pressure sores can benefit from an orthopedic bed,” Dr. Countner explains. “Consider acquiring an orthopedic bed for your dog if they are in pain or getting elderly.”

How should an orthopedic dog bed be cleaned?

Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations while washing an orthopedic dog bed. This normally includes removing the cover, which may be able to be washed—consult the care tag to determine which cycle to use. Most orthopedic dog beds contain memory foam that can only be spot cleaned.

Conclusion

We are grateful for your time and consideration. The website BestForPets ranks the best orthopedic dog beds in the country for pet owners (bestforpets.org).