I was on the phone with a friend last night when she asked me if dealwagger.com would have any upcoming deals on orthopedic dog beds in the near future. I told her that I had never considered orthopedic pet beds in general, but that it certainly was a worthwhile product to look into it. I realized that now, more than ever, specialized beds are becoming more relevant for a particular reason: dogs are living longer (because we spoil them). In the past dogs would sleep wherever they could find the most comfortable place, which sometimes meant a towel on the floor, or even on hay or pine needles if the dog lived outside or in a barn-yard environment. I can hear you dealwaggers almost cringe thinking that your dog would sleep anywhere but a soft, warm, comfortable bed.

My friend explained that her 10 year old Labrador Retriever needs a specialized orthopedic bed because she hears him moaning and whimpering in the middle of the night due to arthritis and general old age body aches. My heart broke for her when I heard this. Who should have to listen to their elderly dog in pain night after night? Even more obvious, why should her dog be in pain when it can be soothed to an extent?
Let’s cut to the chase and explain how to choose the right bed for your dog.
1. FITNESS
If your dog is the type that enjoys strenuous physical activity such as fetch, frisbee, swimming, hiking and more, then their joints, bones, and muscles will need rest in order to recover properly so that they can get up and join you for another activity-filled tomorrow. In any case, an orthopedic-type bed is your best choice. Some of them are even equipped with memory foam. A bed that provides full support and insulates warmth can cut down on vet bills in the long-run relating to lameness cause by over-exercise or stiff joints.
2. AGE
If your dog is considered a senior, around 9 years and older, they will naturally begin to experience a decline in flexibility, ease of movement, and generally become more sensitive to conditions that were previously not an issue. Arthritis is very common among elderly humans and dogs alike, which is why a orthopedic-type bed is your best choice. The way we see it, even if you purchase an orthopedic bed prior to your dog becoming elderly, you are making an invaluable investment in your dog’s body, lifespan, and overall quality of life. For more on defining senior dog status, read this article “For Dummies”
here.
What is wrong with this picture?
3. BIGGER IS BETTER
This might be common sense, but nevertheless, let’s include this as a reminder that it might be time to change your dog’s bed that they used when they were a puppy. No matter which type of bed you decide on, make sure it is big enough for your dog. If you got an orthopedic bed that your dog’s head and feet hang off of: not kosher. Make sure the bed you purchase has a full extra foot of space around. So whether your dog is big or small, either way you should purchase a bed larger than them to avoid health complications such as arthritis down the line.
4. INDOOR – OUTDOOR?
If you have an outdoor dog, we are not judging. Perhaps you live in a rural area and its only natural for pets to be a part of the outdoor lifestyle there or you have different house rules than I might have. Therefore, it is even more important for an outdoor dog to sleep on a bed that breathes and does not hold moisture to prevent mold, mildew, and in order to keep a dry bed of course. In addition, it should actually be situated well above the ground to protect from wet conditions. Furthermore, a dog-house should exist in order to put the bed inside to protect from conditions such as rain, snow, and/or wind.
Enjoy this cute video of a dog tucking himself into bed
If you have any questions or concerns regarding choosing the right bed for your dog, feel free to email us at
info@dealwagger.com and we will be happy to assist you in choosing the right bed for your dog and putting you in touch with any specialists we know in case your dog has a specific condition that was not covered in this blog. We are excited to offer a variety of beds that include orthopedic options, in the near future, on
dealwagger.com. If you have experience or a review of of any particular brands that you and your pet are happy with, please share it with us!
We appreciate your readership and interest in improving the quality of life of you and your pet’s, which is exactly our mission at dealwagger.com. Feel free to “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dealwagger to follow our posts, and sign-up for our newsletter where we share worthwhile resources, contest freebies, and daily deal discounts on quality pet products shipped to your door and on goods/services locally. Our launch date to be announced shortly.
About the author: Kevin Opos is a co-founder of dealwagger.com, having graduated with a B.A. in Communication from UC Santa Barbara with an emphasis in Media, as well as Human Relations. Residing, currently, in Brooklyn, NY, he has shared-custody of 2 dogs and is dedicated to supporting animal rescue organizations & the prevention of animal abuse by giving those who cannot speak a voice.