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11 July 2022
Your dog has probably spent years perfecting the art of getting comfortable. The couch, your bed, the sunny patch on the floor, and somehow the exact spot where you were about to sit are all fair game.
But as dogs get older, where they sleep becomes more important than ever.
Senior dogs may experience arthritis, stiff joints, reduced muscle mass, mobility challenges, or simply need more time to rest than they did when they were younger. The right dog bed can provide additional cushioning and support while making it easier for an aging dog to settle down and get back up again.
So, what kind of bed is best for a senior dog? There isn’t one perfect answer for every pup, but several features are worth considering.
That inexpensive fluffy bed your dog happily slept on as a puppy may not provide enough support during their senior years.
As dogs age, they can experience changes including:
A bed designed with these changes in mind can help make everyday life a little more comfortable.
For many senior dogs, an orthopedic dog bed is an excellent place to start.
Orthopedic beds are designed to provide more support than a thin cushion or traditional stuffed dog bed. They typically use dense foam that distributes the dog’s weight across the sleeping surface instead of allowing heavier areas of the body to sink directly toward the floor.
This can be particularly helpful for older dogs with stiff or uncomfortable joints.
When shopping, don’t rely on the word “orthopedic” alone. Look at what the bed is actually made from, how thick the supportive layer is, and whether it maintains its shape under your dog’s weight.
Memory foam is one of the most popular materials used in beds for senior dogs.
The foam conforms to the body and helps distribute pressure, providing cushioning around areas such as the hips, shoulders, and elbows.
A good memory foam bed should be supportive enough that your dog doesn’t simply sink through it and end up essentially sleeping on the floor.
Larger and heavier dogs generally need thicker, denser foam than smaller dogs.
Memory foam isn’t the only option. High-density supportive foam can also provide a comfortable sleeping surface for an older dog.
Some beds combine layers of different foams, such as a supportive base with a softer comfort layer on top.
Whatever material you choose, the goal is the same: cushioning without excessive sinking.
A wonderfully cushioned bed won’t help much if your dog can’t comfortably climb into it.
Senior dogs with arthritis, weakness, or reduced mobility may benefit from a low-profile bed with an easy entry point.
Look for beds that don’t require your dog to step over a tall edge or climb onto a high sleeping surface.
Watch how your dog gets into bed. If they repeatedly hesitate, stumble, or struggle to lift their legs over the edge, the bed may be too difficult to access.
Some dogs love sleeping with their head propped against something. If your dog routinely uses the arm of the couch, a pillow, or possibly your leg as a headrest, a bolster bed may be a great choice.
Bolster beds have raised cushioned edges that give dogs somewhere to rest their head or lean their body.
For senior dogs, look for a bolster bed with a lowered opening on at least one side. That allows your dog to enjoy the cozy raised edges without having to climb over them every time they get in or out.
A simple mattress-style bed can be ideal for dogs with significant mobility limitations.
These beds typically don’t have raised sides, making them accessible from virtually any direction. They’re also useful for large dogs that like to stretch out rather than curl into a ball.
A flat orthopedic mattress placed near your dog’s favorite family hangout can provide a comfortable resting spot without creating another obstacle to navigate.
Accidents can become more common as some dogs age. Urinary problems, mobility limitations, medications, or cognitive changes can all make it harder for a senior dog to maintain their previous bathroom routine.
A waterproof liner around the foam core can be incredibly helpful.
Without one, urine or other moisture can soak deeply into foam, making the bed difficult to clean thoroughly and potentially creating lingering odors.
Ideally, choose a bed with both a waterproof inner liner and a removable, washable outer cover.
Even without accidents, dog beds get dirty.
They collect fur, dirt, drool, skin oils, outdoor debris, and all the mysterious substances dogs somehow manage to bring inside.
A removable machine-washable cover can make maintaining your senior dog’s sleeping area significantly easier.
Before buying a bed, check whether the entire cover can be removed. Some beds advertise washable components while making the actual cleaning process surprisingly complicated.
Senior dogs may have more difficulty maintaining their footing, particularly on tile, hardwood, or laminate flooring.
If a bed slides across the floor every time your dog steps onto it, getting comfortable can become unnecessarily difficult and potentially unsafe.
Look for a bed with a non-slip bottom, or place a non-slip mat underneath it.
You can also surround the bed with an area rug or runner to give your dog better traction when standing up.
Some senior dogs prefer a cooler sleeping surface, particularly during warm weather.
Breathable materials, elevated beds, or cooling surfaces may help dogs who tend to seek out tile floors or air-conditioning vents.
Elevated cot-style beds allow air to circulate underneath the dog, but they’re not ideal for every senior. Dogs with significant mobility or balance problems may find climbing onto an elevated bed difficult.
Choose accessibility over cooling features if your dog struggles to step onto raised surfaces.
Other senior dogs become increasingly sensitive to cold as they age.
Small dogs, thin-coated breeds, and dogs with less body fat may particularly appreciate a warmer sleeping environment.
Plush covers, blankets, and beds designed to retain warmth can help create a cozy resting area.
If you’re considering an electrically heated pet bed, choose a product specifically designed for animals and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions carefully. Dogs with mobility problems should always be able to move away from a heated surface if they become too warm.
Your senior dog shouldn’t have to curl into an uncomfortable position simply to fit on their bed.
Watch how your dog naturally sleeps.
Dogs that curl into a tight ball may enjoy a cozy bed with bolsters. Dogs that sleep sprawled on their sides with all four legs stretched out need considerably more room.
Measure your dog while they’re sleeping in their favorite position and choose a bed that gives them enough room to settle comfortably.
A bed can look luxuriously thick until a 90-pound dog lies on it and compresses it into a pancake.
The heavier your dog, the more important foam density and thickness become.
Press firmly into the bed or check the manufacturer’s recommendations for your dog’s weight. Ideally, your dog’s hips, shoulders, and other pressure points shouldn’t sink through the cushioning and rest against the hard floor beneath it.
You could buy the world’s most luxurious dog bed and still find it completely abandoned if you put it somewhere your dog doesn’t want to be.
Most dogs want to rest near their family.
Consider placing beds in several of your dog’s favorite locations, such as:
Multiple beds can be especially useful for senior dogs because they reduce the need to repeatedly walk across the house or climb stairs just to find somewhere comfortable to rest.
You carefully research orthopedic foam, washable covers, supportive bolsters, and pressure relief. You present your senior dog with their magnificent new bed.
They sniff it once and lie down six inches away on the floor.
Dogs have preferences too.
Some dogs choose hard floors because they’re cooler. Others prefer a particular location regardless of what’s underneath them.
Try moving the bed to a place your dog already likes to sleep rather than assuming they’ll change their favorite location for the new bed.
Pay attention to how your dog behaves before, during, and after resting.
Their current bed may no longer be meeting their needs if they:
These behaviors can also be signs of pain or mobility problems, so mention new or worsening changes to your veterinarian.
A better bed can make your dog more comfortable, but it isn’t a treatment for an underlying medical condition.
If your senior dog is struggling to lie down, having difficulty standing, limping, avoiding stairs, or showing other signs of discomfort, schedule a veterinary examination.
Arthritis and other painful conditions are common in older dogs, and there may be treatment options available to improve their comfort and mobility.
For many older dogs, a good starting point is a supportive orthopedic foam bed with a low entry, non-slip bottom, waterproof liner, and removable washable cover.
From there, consider your individual dog’s preferences and physical needs.
A dog who loves curling up against something may prefer bolsters. A large dog who sleeps fully stretched out may be happier on a flat mattress. A dog with limited mobility may need the lowest possible entry, while a cold-natured senior may appreciate extra warmth.
The best bed isn’t necessarily the most expensive or the one with the longest list of features. It’s the one your dog can easily access, comfortably sleep on, and actually wants to use.
Senior dogs spend plenty of time sleeping, which makes a supportive resting place one of the simplest ways to improve their everyday comfort.
Look for adequate cushioning, easy access, good traction, simple cleaning, and enough room for your dog’s preferred sleeping position. Most importantly, pay attention to what your dog is telling you through their behavior.
After years of walks, games, adventures, and faithfully following you into the kitchen every single time you open the refrigerator, your senior dog has earned a seriously comfortable place to nap.
Whether they actually use that carefully selected bed instead of stealing your spot on the couch is, of course, entirely up to them.
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