Choosing the Right Bed for Your Senior Dog

Selecting a mattress is a very personal thing. There are many
options from the very inexpensive available off the shelf at
discount stores to the very expensive made to order specialty
products. You know that this is something you will be using
every single day for the next five to ten years so most
consumers put some thought into their selection. You consider
size of your room and size needed for comfort. You weight the
options on spring count and adjustability. All of these options
are specifically designed to meet different consumers’ needs for
a good night’s sleep.

Have you ever considered you dog’s specific needs for
comfortable rest? Senior dogs over the age of 10 are similar to
a seventy-year-old person. Can you imagine Grandpa curled up on
the floor for the evening? How about Grandma climbing into a
waterbed with a two-foot frame? Or better yet, imagine her
trying to get out!

If your older dog currently sleeps on the floor or in a
cardboard box with blankets, his discomfort would be similar to
these scenarios. It is even worse for a senior dog as they spend
a good portion of the day at rest.

Consider Your Dog’s Sleep Style

Like every person, every dog has a certain style to sleeping.
Whether trained or individual nature, these idiosyncrasies
should be observed and noted prior to purchasing a dog bed.

Does your dog curl up in a ball?

Does he hang his head over the edge?

Does he like to be able to rest his head with a view of the
entire room?

Does he sprawl and stretch out completely?

Does he sleep in a kennel?

Does he like to stay warm under the blankets?

Does he avoid the bed because he needs to cool off?

Does your dog shed or have any other disorder that will cause
the bed to need constant cleaning?

Specific Beds for Sleep Styles

By observing your pet, you will have a better idea of what
product to look for as his daily comfortable resting place.

A dog that sleeps in a tight curled up position might prefer a
round bed with sides. Beds with sides are great for dogs that
like to hang their head over the edge. Make sure the sides
aren’t too high or there is a lower opening so that your dog
won’t have to jump to get in and out. Measure your dog when his
is comfortably sleeping. Use the inside dimensions and compare
to this measurement to choose the right size bed for your dog.

If your dog likes his head on a pillow, try a lounge bed or
couch. Again consider the height for comfort.

If your dog is a sprawler, consider a large flat bed. Be sure
to measure the entire length of your dog at rest to get an idea
of how much space he is using so you can select the correct size.

If your older dog has slept in a kennel his entire life, it is
good to know that there are beds specifically designed for use
in dog crates. Often these will have padded sides for extra
comfort.

Orthopedic beds are often a good choice for a senior dog as
they are designed with special high-density foam for additional
comfort and cushion for your dog’s aching bones and joints.
Firm, orthopedic foam is egg-shell shaped to evenly distribute
weight and provide extra comfort. The foam holds its shape for a
longer time and will not need to be replaced as often as beds
with traditional polyfil or cedar chips. The foam tends to
provide additional warmth too so if you live in a warmer
climate, your dog may prefer a cooling bed like the Canine
Cooler to the traditional orthopedic bed. However if your dog is
extremely sensitive to cold or suffering from arthritis, a
heated dog bed might provide the extra comfort he needs.

If your dog has a shedding or odor problem, make certain the
cover of the bed is removable and washable. Some products such
as the Canine Cooler are a great choice because wiping down with
a cloth easily cleans them.

Copyright 2006 Dave Eckholm/Old Dog Paws