Older dogs sleep more. A lot more. So the bed they sleep on starts to matter in a way it didn't when they were young and would happily nap on the floorboards.
"Orthopaedic" is printed on plenty of dog beds. There's no set standard for what it means. The useful thing is to look past the label at what's inside, how it's built and whether it fits your dog.
What's inside matters most
Memory foam moulds to your dog's shape and spreads their weight across the bed. It also springs back after they get up, so it doesn't go flat in the spot they always lie in.
Egg-crate foam is memory foam cut into a wavy pattern of peaks and dips. It lets a little air move through the foam.
Fibre or cotton filling on its own feels soft and plump when new. Over time it tends to clump and flatten, especially under a heavier dog.
Many beds combine the two: a foam base for support with a softer layer or pillow top for comfort.
Thick enough to keep them off the floor
Press your hand flat into the middle of the bed. If you can feel the floor through it easily, a heavier dog will too. Bigger dogs need a thicker base than small ones. The bed's height is listed on most product pages. The type of foam counts as much as the number.
An easy way in
Stiff legs don't love stepping over a high edge. Look for a low side or a lowered front so your dog can walk in rather than climb in. A flat mat is the easiest of all to get onto.
Bolsters or flat?
Watch how your dog sleeps.
- Curlers and leaners like a bed with raised sides (bolsters) to rest their head on or tuck against.
- Sprawlers who stretch out flat are often happier on a flat mat with no edges in the way.
Getting the size right
- Measure your dog lying stretched out, from nose to the base of the tail.
- Add 20 to 30 cm so their legs and head aren't hanging off the edge.
- Check whether the listed size is the outer measurement or the sleeping area. Bolsters take up room.
- If you're between sizes, go up.
Covers you can wash
Every dog bed needs a wash now and then. Accidents happen at any age and a bit more often in the later years. A zip-off cover that goes in the washing machine makes life much easier. A waterproof lining or underside helps protect the foam inside.
A grip on hard floors
On floorboards or tiles a bed can slide when an older dog steps onto it. A non-slip base keeps it where it is.
If your dog seems stiff or sore or has trouble getting up, have a chat with your vet. A good bed helps them rest comfortably. It doesn't replace a check-up.
Our picks
The Couch Potato for dogs who like to lean or rest their head
- Egg-crate memory foam base with bolsters and a lowered front entrance
- 10 cm high neck support
- Zip-off cover is machine washable, with a waterproof lining and a non-slip, waterproof underside
- XL: 107 × 81 × 17 cm, for dogs up to about 40 kg
- XXL: 122 × 89 × 17 cm, for dogs up to about 54 kg
- Sizes are outer measurements, bolsters included
The Rest Mat for sprawlers
- Flat cushion mat with an egg-crate memory foam core, so there's no edge to step over
- Anti-slip, waterproof underside
- Cover unzips for machine washing (hand wash the cushion)
- Medium 92 × 69 × 11 cm, Large 114 × 90 × 11 cm and XXL 160 × 120 × 11 cm
- Arrives vacuum sealed: leave it a few hours to fully expand
The Featherbed for dogs who like something soft on top
- 8 cm memory foam base under a velvet pillow top
- Non-slip bottom
- Zippered covers for machine or hand washing
- Medium 90 × 60 × 15.6 cm, Large 107 × 70 × 15.6 cm and XL 120 × 80 × 15.6 cm
Free metro shipping on most orders. Additional shipping charges to some areas and for large items will be calculated at checkout.