The Right Bed Can Make a Difference to Your Senior Pet

As dogs get older, things that once seemed effortless can become more difficult. Getting up after a nap, climbing stairs, jumping into the car, or simply lying down, may take a little more effort.

That’s why the right bed can become especially important during your dog’s senior years. 

Aging Joints Need a Little Extra Help

Healthy joints contain cartilage that helps the bones move smoothly against one another. As dogs age, that cartilage can deteriorate and inflammation may develop. The result can be stiffness, discomfort and reduced mobility.

You may notice your dog taking longer to stand, hesitating before using stairs, walking more slowly, flopping down when they used to lay down gracefully, having difficulty getting comfortable, or overall becoming more sedentary.

A bed can't cure arthritis, but the right bed can make resting—and getting up afterward—more comfortable.

Support Matters

A bed that feels soft isn't necessarily supportive. If the filling collapses completely under your dog's weight, their hips, shoulders and other pressure points may still end up close to, or even on the hard floor.

Orthopedic beds typically use supportive foam that helps distribute a dog's weight and cushion aging joints. For a senior dog that spends many hours each day sleeping, that additional support can make a difference.

When choosing a bed, consider your dog's weight as well as the thickness and firmness of the bed. Pay attention the manufacturer's weight rating. A bed that supports a small dog may compress considerably under a much larger dog's weight.

Don’t Forget About Getting In and Out

Comfort isn't only about what happens while your dog is sleeping.

Older dogs with stiff joints may have difficulty lowering themselves all the way to floor level and then pushing themselves back up.

This is one reason a moderately elevated bed can be a good option for some senior dogs. We've seen older dogs that simply seem more comfortable getting into and out of an elevated bed. The transition from standing to lying down isn't as great because they don't have as far to lower their bodies.

The height is important. A senior dog shouldn't have to climb or jump onto the bed. Ideally, it should be low enough that they can simply step onto and off of it comfortably.

Elevated beds also allow air to circulate underneath, can keep dogs away from hot, cold or damp surfaces, and are sometimes easier to clean.

Which Bed Is Best?

There's no single answer.

A dog with arthritis may benefit from the cushioning and support of an orthopedic foam bed. Another senior dog may find an elevated bed easier to get into and out of. Some dogs may enjoy having both.

Watch your dog. Which bed do they choose? How easily do they lie down? How easily do they get back up?

Those little observations can tell you quite a bit about what makes them comfortable.

A Little More Comfort Goes a Long Way

We can't stop our dogs from getting older, but we can make adjustments as their needs change to help them be more comfortable.

A supportive bed, an easier transition from standing to resting, non-slip surfaces around the bed and a comfortable place to spend those increasingly frequent naps are all simple ways to make life a little easier on aging joints.

After all the years they've spent making themselves comfortable on our furniture, helping them find a comfortable place of their own seems like the least we can do.

Changes in your dog's mobility, stiffness, or activity level can have many causes. Talk with your veterinarian about new or worsening symptoms, or any other concerns you have about your pet's health.