What The Heck Is An Orthopedic Dog Bed?
January 3rd, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Although dogs are great at not complaining, it is just as important for them to have a proper sleeping surface as it is for you. This is especially important with an older dog, prone to arthritis, which makes moving just after waking up quite painful. It’s kinder to your dog to get an orthopedic dog bed than just pumping him or her full of pain killers.
What Makes Them Special
A dog bed is normally a huge pillow like object. It’s actually much too soft to give the support needed for any aching joints and limbs. An orthopedic dog bed is more like a smaller version of your own mattress – and usually a lot more colorful and easier to clean. These orthopedic dog beds are much firmer and tend to keep their shape longer than the usual pillow-like dog bed.
Perhaps you’ve slept on a lumpy or far too soft mattress. Although a really soft mattress can be a novel treat for the first couple of nights, by the end of a week, your back is usually aching because it can’t get the support it needs from a really soft mattress. Your spine winds up doing all the work of supporting your body in sleep instead of the mattress. That’s the reason why many dogs could benefit from an orthopedic dog bed.
Why Not Sleep On The Floor?
A firm orthopedic dog bed can help a dog with arthritis, hip dysplasia or other mobility problems, but more is not better when it comes to firmness. Some people then come to the mistaken conclusion that the best orthopedic dog bed is the floor. Dogs won’t complain if they are given no alternative other than to sleep on the floor.
But it’s not good for them. Floors are okay for the occasional afternoon nap, but they not only get cold, they’re far too firm for a dog to get comfortable enough to get healthy sleep. If you’ve ever slept on the floor or in a tent, then you know how stiff and sore you are the next morning.
They Cost How Much?
Some people balk over the thought of paying for an orthopedic dog bed, but then they go out and splurge on movies, a new car or clothes they don’t need. If you are taking on a dog, then you are responsible for doing what is best for your dog. In the long run, it’s cheaper to get an orthopedic dog bed rather than keep running your dog back and forth to the vet.
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