Our Top Picks Summary:

Quite a few dog breeds are prone to developing orthopedic concerns later on in life. And that’s not counting age-related joint pain, torn ligaments, injuries, or rehab time from surgeries. While that may sound gloomy, it’s best to stay informed about possible health issues your pup may face as it matures as a pet parent. 

Before you start getting too anxious, we’ve got you covered as far as orthopedic problems like hip dysplasia, arthritis, etc., are concerned. As a matter of fact, you can avoid a whole host of canine-related medical issues with the magical words – orthopedic dog bed. 

However, because not all orthopedic beds are created alike, we’ve singled out the ones that’s best arthritis in dogs. Stick with us as we walk you through the world of dog beds for arthritis. 

Our Top Pick 

If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to check out our super-awesome orthopedic dog beds list, let us introduce you to our top pick – the Big Barker 7″ Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed. Apart from offering a peaceful night s sleep for big dogs, this bed provides a 7” high-quality therapeutic foam mattress that’s clinically proven to enhance mobility and reduce stiffness of joints. There’s also a whopping 10-year warranty and a hypoallergenic microfiber cover. 

What are Dog Beds For Arthritis?

dog bed for arthritis

Dog beds for orthopedic conditions like arthritis are typically orthopedic dog beds with different types of mattress options. The one thing all the best orthopedic dog beds have in common is that they’re highly efficient at tackling joint pain and providing relief for your doggo’s pressure points. 

Regarding mattress choices, some beds feature a memory foam base along with a layer of gel memory foam (aka composite mattress). In contrast, others offer the comfort of an egg-crate-shaped orthopedic foam. Other options also include support foam, comfort foam, and even shredded memory foam layers. 

What is Arthritis in Dogs

Arthritis is a common health problem in canines, and it signifies inflammation of the joints. When your doggo’s joints swell up, it causes pain, discomfort, along with stiffness. 

Remember, when we talk about joints – that means all the links in your canine’s body. This is why the condition also causes hip pain and can lead to cartilage damage. Unfortunately, increased friction between joints can lead to the formation of new bones around the area, which can make your pet’s pain worse and even lead to degenerative joint disease.  

While joint inflammation is more common in older dogs, canines can develop the condition during their early years due to problematic bone/joint development, fractures/trauma, abnormal cartilage development, etc. 

Signs of Arthritis in Dogs

Joint inflammation may be managed if caught early, and that way, you can also work on providing your pet with the kind of lifestyle it deserves to ward off joint-related aches and pain. 

Here are some symptoms that should alert you that a visit to the vet is pending in terms of arthritis:

  • Stiffness in your canine’s movements after a period of rest
  • Slower movements than usual
  • Unwillingness to extra-movement or exercise
  • Excessive licking at particular joints
  • Mood changes
  • Worsening of above symptoms in cold weather

How the Right Bed Can Help an Arthritic Dog 

Be it small dogs or medium-large breeds, buying the right dog bed can reduce the pain associated with joint inflammation. 

What’s more, because canines spend a sizeable chunk of their lives napping (at least 12 hours per day), orthopedic foam support can give your pooch’s frame the relief required to stem the growth of new bones due to joint friction. Or, in the case of puppies and adolescent pups, these beds can stave off orthopedic problems for a long time.

As far as senior dogs are concerned, a high-density support foam can improve the quality of your pet’s life and keep age-related anxiety to a minimum. 

What to Look For in a Dog Bed for Arthritis

best bed for dogs with arthritis

Now that we’ve covered what joint inflammation and its related symptom symptoms are let’s discuss what you should focus on when getting an orthopedic dog bed. 

Size

Getting your pupper a memory foam dog bed will hardly matter if you get the dog bed size wrong. Not to mention, if your planning on getting a memory foam mattress for a dog crate, you need to get the bed’s dimensions precisely right. 

While dog beds come equipped with small-medium-large size specifications, it’s always best to measure your pet for accuracy. Once you’ve measured your pet, add 7 to 10 inches extra to ensure your pet has room to move its legs or to stretch. This applies equally to all sizes – from small dogs to extra-large ones alike. 

Material

A lightweight, sturdy material that’s easy to clean can save you a lot of trouble when it comes to an orthopedic dog bed. Plus, if you’re buying a bed for your pup or adolescent canine who tend to chew and scratch their bed, you can also opt for a ripstop nylon fabric bed. 

Filling/Padding 

Mattress filling is essential when it comes to orthopedic dog beds. Pure cotton padding won’t cut it for conditions like joint inflammation, and that’s why opting for a mattress with orthopedic memory foam or comfort memory foam is best. If your pet tends to overheat during naptime, you can choose to go for an orthopedic dog bed with egg crate foam that allows for enhanced air circulation. 

Washability 

If your pet is experiencing reduced mobility, the chances of doggy accidents may increase. To ensure you don’t spend hours cleaning up or maintaining your dog’s hygiene standards, get a dog’s bed with a waterproof liner, along with a removable and machine washable cover. 

Price Point

Thanks to modern manufacturing and reduced production costs, even if a dog bed is made from the highest-quality materials, it’s still pretty affordable on the whole. Additionally, due to lots of competition in the pet product market, dog owners don’t have to stress too much about the cost of buying their canine the best orthopedic dog bed. 

Best Dog Bed for Arthritis 

Be it warming beds or bed types for large dogs – our best dog bed lineup has something for everyone. 

Big Barker 7 inches Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed

As we said right in the beginning, the 7-inch Pillow Top Dog Bed by Big Barker isn’t just our top pick; it’s a favorite of experts and pet parents worldwide. Where else can you get an orthopedic bed for your dog that offers comfort and support – all in one go. Apart from being specially calibrated for extra-large and large breeds, this bed also offers buyers the convenience of a waterproof inner liner (sold separately). Plus, if the orthopedic bed flattens before ten years, Big Barker will replace the bed – for free!

Barker Junior 4-inches Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed

Before the owners of small-medium dogs despair, we’ve got terrific news. You can give your tiny pupper all the benefits of a bed by Big Barker with this product. This bed has all the specs its bigger counterpart offers, right down to being made in America. Aside from being easy to clean, this orthopedic bed also offers a zippered machine washable cover. 

Furhaven Pet L Shaped Corner Sofa Dog Bed

Dubbed as one the best dog beds out there by dog parents, with an excellent rating on Amazon, is the L-shaped Corner Sofa Dog Bed by Furhaven Pet. Being available in five different sizes and eight incredible patterns – this bed will match all home décor types. 

Additionally, the product’s bolstered design can provide doggos with head and neck support. The uber-plush sleep features faux-fur, whereas the removable cover is made of durable upholstery fabric that’s washing machine and dryer safe. Finally, the bed’s memory foam mattress is highly suitable for ample cushioning of joints and pressure points. 

PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed

Another worthy contender on our best dog beds list is the Ultimate Dog Bed by PetFusion. This product offers high-quality materials in the form of a 4-inch memory foam core, along with cushy poly-fill bolsters for superior canine comfort. Then there’s the water-resistant and scratch-proof cover, a water-proof inner liner, and a non-skid bottom that’s perfect for older dogs. The cover is easy to remove and machine washable to boot. 

Barkbox Memory Foam Platform Dog Bed

If your canine is a sprawler, then boy, do we have news for you. The Platform Dog Bed by BarkBox is attainable in four different sizes, along with a standard memory foam or a chipped memory foam base. The bed core also features a layer of temperature-regulating gel memory foam to ensure your pet stays comfortable and cool during naptime. The removable cover is available in seven colors and is machine washable too. 

Brindle Shredded Memory Foam Dog Bed

Looking for a mattress for the dog crate that won’t take up all the space? In that case, meet the Shredded Memory Foam Dog Bed by Brindle. This dog bed features a 3-inch thick mattress comprising shredded memory foam.

What that means is that, unlike other beds that feature some type of cooling gel technology, this orthopedic memory foam bed offers cooling relief via its foam core which enhances breathability and air circulation. Then there’s the super-soft removable cover made of micro-suede (which is also machine washable). And the product’s available in seven sizes. That sounds like a whole lot of pros, without any cons. 

BarksBar Orthopedic Dog Bed

Coming in at number seven on our best dog beds compilation is the Orthopedic Dog Bed by BarksBar. If you’re looking for a durable, bolstered bed for your big boy (or gal), then this may be the bed for you. The 4-inch orthopedic foam base, along with the cotton-padded rim cushions, creates a safe space for anxious senior dogs to wind down in. The polyester cover with the quilted design is easy to remove and clean.

The Milliard Premium Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Bed is available in four sizes. It includes a high-density composite foam mattress (polyurethane foam+memory foam) that’s ideal for all canines – small and large dogs alike. Buyers can also look forward to a shrink-proof and water-proof removable cover that’s washer and dryer safe. 

Dogbed4less Memory Foam Dog Bed

A dog bed that includes a washable and durable zippered denim cover along with a 4-inch memory foam pad and a waterproof liner – all within a convenient price point? That’s one way to describe the Memory Foam Dog Bed by Dogbed4less. The product also offers an extra micro-suede cover with a heavy-duty zipper to allow easy removal and washing/cleaning. 

Petmate La-Z-Boy Dog Bed

We’re finishing strong with the La-Z-Boy Dog Bed by Petmate. The bed’s core option is an effective combo of standard orthopedic foam and gel memory foam to unrivaled canine support. This lounger bed is perfect for home use and is also portable enough to be traveled with. The product’s top-most layer features fiber-fill for extra cushioning and insulation, and there’s a super-soft outer cover for cozy comfort. 

Our Final Thoughts   

With ten back-to-back top-quality orthopedic dog beds, we’re sure you’ve found the one that matches your doggo’s needs and preferences the most. If you still haven’t found the one, don’t stress; just click on that sidebar and discover all sorts of dog bed guides. Till next time, happy dog bed shopping!

Frequently Asked Questions

What dog bed is best for arthritis?

Undoubtedly some of the best dog bed brands on the market are Big Barker, Furhaven Pet Products, and Barkbox. These brands are trusted by experts and are customer favorites too. 

Are elevated dog beds good for arthritis?

We wouldn’t recommend elevated dog beds for pooches suffering from arthritis because climbing up and down from an elevated bed can put extra pressure on your canine’s joints. Elevated beds are suitable for your dog in terms of even weight distribution, but they’re not suitable for conditions like joint inflammation. 

Do orthopedic dog beds help?

With beds like the Pillow Top Series from Big Barker, some studies prove the bed not only helps improve a canine’s mobility but can also reduce joint pain and stiffness – that too within almost a month. 

What is the best dog bed for older dogs?

The Orthopedic Dog Bed by Big Barker, along with the L-shaped Corner Sofa Dog Bed by Furhaven Pet, and the Ultimate Dog Bed by PetFusion are some of the most popular customer favorites for older dogs.