We all feel better after a good night’s sleep. If you’ve ever slept on the floor, rickety camp bed or even kipped on a sofa, you’ll know the value of a proper mattress. And why should our dogs be any different? In their case, comfort comes in the form of one of the best memory foam and orthopaedic dog beds.
There are some dogs that particularly need the benefits of a comfortable bed and one of the best memory foam dog beds is a great options. Dogs that suffer from joint pain, such as arthritis or hip dysplasia, or show stiffness and slow movement after a night on a regular dog bed, may benefit from the therapeutic advantages that the best orthopaedic dog beds and memory foam have to offer. For this reason, orthopaedic dog beds are often associated with older dogs but they may also be worth it for younger dogs to give their joints the best possible rest, particularly if they are a breed predisposed to joint issues, such as the Labrador Retriever.
Best orthopaedic dog beds and memory foam options
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Silentnight Orthopaedic Pet Bed
Sizes: S, M, L
Colours: Grey
RRP: From £48
Silentnight pet beds are created with the same technology used in the brand’s human products. Silentnight is the UK’s most trusted sleep brand with over 70 years’ experience in offering sleeping solutions.
This orthopaedic pet bed is ideal for older dogs with arthritis or joint pain. The contoured foam layer helps to distribute weight evenly to reduce pressure points and soothe aches and pains for a relaxing and comfortable sleep. Covered in a durable outer fabric with a non-slip base, it has soft and cosy inner cushion to provide a lovely sleep environment for your pet. The high sides help to keep your pet cosy and secure, while the dropped front ensures easy access. The cover is removable and can be machine washed.
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VetRelieve OrthoLuxe Bed
Sizes: S–XXL
Colours: Grey
RRP: From £180
This mattress combines patent-pending orthopaedic foam technology with a luxury look and feel, providing clinical support, comfort and pressure relief. It has been designed for easy entry and exit with a height that makes getting up easier.
The two sides offer a feeling of security, while the technical layering helps cool your dog when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. A waterproof internal cover protects the foam, while the outer cover is fully removable and washable.
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Bedsure Dog Sofa Bed
Sizes: M–XXL
Colours: Black, grey, brown or navy
RRP: From £54.99
This orthopaedic bed has egg-box-shaped foam that is designed to provide even support and relieve joint pressure and pain. The soft flannel fabric improves scratch resistance, while the inner lining is waterproof and the base has rubber dots to prevent slipping.
The zipped cover is removable and machine-washable.
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K9 Pursuits Warming/Cooling Orthopaedic Dog Bed
Sizes: S–L
Colours: Blue/pink
RRP: From £44.99
This reversible memory foam dog bed is designed to promote three benefits giving comfort to your dog. First, the core and base is high-density memory foam which provides comfort, relieves the pain of arthritis, joint and muscle stiffness. In addition, one side of the bed has a cooling gel-infused memory foam ideal for the warmer months, while the other side features a layer of memory foam covered in thick thermal fleece for the colder months.
The zipped cover is removable and machine-washable.
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Scruffs Hilton Memory Foam Mattress
Sizes: M or L
Colours: Burgundy, latte or chocolate
RRP: From £69.99
Designed for larger breeds that require more support for their joints, back or body. The beds are filled with crumb memory foam, consisting of dense particles that mould to the shape of the pet to achieve the ultimate level of support.
The cover is made from a hard-wearing top fabric with faux leather side walls, trimmed with contrasting piping.
An inner water-resistant liner helps protect the memory fill from water ingress and odour. The outer cover can be removed for machine-washing and has a non-slip base.
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The Dog’s Bed Orthopaedic Dog Beds
Sizes: S–XXL, with corner options in some sizes
Colours: 11 options – linen, plush or fur
RRP: From £47.99
This is a therapeutic bed designed to provide relief and comfort to dogs with joint conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia, arthritis, osteochondritis and more. It is also billed as a “prudent preventative measure for younger dogs of breeds predisposed to joint conditions”.
It has a waterproof protective inner and durable outer, with the mattress made of high-stability memory foam. The covers can be removed and machine-washed, and there is a waterproof mattress protector to catch any accidents.
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Luvly Pets Luxury Dog Bed
Sizes: S–XXL
Colours: 14 options
RRP: From £110.39
Made from 100% Turkish cotton, this chew-resistant bed is strong and durable, soft and breathable. The filling is shredded memory foam to offer joint and muscle relief, as well as premium fibre stuffed side bolsters to encourage a comfortable sleep.
The raised rim creates a sense of security, while also providing head support.
The cover is removable and machine-washable.
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Rosewood Faux Fur Orthopaedic Dog Rug
Size: One size (72x150cm)
Colours: Faux fur
RRP: £80
A comfortable faux fur orthopaedic dog rug mattress with anti-slip base. Made from a thick, high-quality outer material, and designed to provide support and relieve pressure points. Machine-washable.
How we chose the best orthopaedic dog beds
Naturally, the most important feature of an orthopaedic dog bed is that it is comfortable. They need to have adequate insulation to protect your dog from the hard floor, as well as providing plenty of cushioning and support to alleviate any pain.
If you’re in the market for an orthopaedic dog bed, your dog might be the less mobile sort so we’ve chosen beds that, while they might be raised off the ground to provide cushioning and insulation, are not so high or tricky that the dog may struggle to get in and out of their bed. Many dogs find it comfortable to rest their head on a raised cushion, so for those beds we have made sure there is a lower entry point to the bed so they don’t have to climb in.
Another important asset in a dog bed is that is machine washable, as all these ones are – for a clean and hygienic place to sleep.
Do orthopaedic dog beds make a difference?
Senior dogs and large-breed dogs with a higher likelihood of arthritis will benefit from an orthopaedic dog bed, although whether they are made of memory foam, gel foam or simply a supportive mattress is probably down to individual preference. They aren’t a magic panacea but they can provide your dog with a comfortable and supportive place to sleep. They provide a substantially thicker mattress than a regular dog bed, which provides better support for heavier breeds and those with sore joints. They are also useful for bony dogs that need more cushioning, or for those recovering from injury or surgery.
How big should my dog’s bed be?
If you’re investing the time and money into choosing a great orthopaedic dog bed, making sure you have the right size is crucial. If your dog has to curl up tightly, it may negate all the benefits of the supportive nature of the bed.
The right size bed depends not only on your dog’s size and weight, but also his sleeping style and any medical needs. Older dogs may need more space to stretch out as their joints aren’t as flexible. Some dogs like to sprawl in their sleep while others curl up in a ball. The sizing per breed guide on the product is useful, but always measure your own dog to make sure you are spot-on. Either follow the instructions on the specific product, or measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail and add around 20–30cm to give your dog ample stretching space – this should give you the length of the bed. Many people are surprised just how big the bed should be.
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Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.
