Dog Beds For Arthritis

Orthopedic Beds Helps Dogs

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Introduction

Utotol Rectangular Orthopedic Dog Bed

Your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis. One of the best things you can do for him is to purchase an orthopedic dog bed and control his weight and diet.

Arthritis and joint pain can be encountered in dogs if they are overweight. Some arthritis is genetic and more about that will be shared below. By removing your dog’s excess weight, it will help eliminate some of the stress placed on their bones and joints.

Once your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, there is no cure. You can only give him medications and supplements to ease any pain. As we mentioned before, an orthopedic dog bed is highly recommended if your dog has arthritis.

As your pet ages, they also can develop arthritis just like us humans do.

Video – Top Orthopedic Dog Beds

Below is a short video on the top 5 orthopedic dog beds.

Types of Arthritis In Dogs

If your dog has arthritis, there a few types’ dog owners should be made aware of. We present them here.

Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) – This type of arthritis is a long-term deterioration of the cartilage surrounding the dog’s joints. When it becomes inflamed or wears down, your dog will experience some pain.
Hip Dysplasia – This is a genetic developmental disease that results in malformation of the hip joint (a ball-and-socket joint). Chronic inflammation of the hip joints occurs because of misalignment, and the cartilage in the joint gradually deteriorates, causing pain and inflammation. There are certain types of dog breeds that have a genetic hip dysplasia disease. Before bringing home a puppy, you can ask the breeder if the dog has the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) certification. Click on the link to check out the website at ofa.org to learn more.
Elbow Dysplasia – This is another hereditary disease in which the bones do not develop normally, causing misalignment of the joint, damage to the cartilage, and even chipping of the bones, which leads to chronic inflammation. This type of dysplasia is most common in large dog breeds and is thought to be inherited. Surgery is often needed to correct this problem.
Knee Dysplasia – This type of dysplasia is most common in small toy dog breeds and will have malformed knee joints. This is also an inherited conformational defect that causes arthritis. Some dogs will have knee caps that pop in and out of position. This is known as “luxating patella.” You should notice your dog limping until the knee cap returns to the correct position. Surgery is the only solution to correct this problem.

Can Dog Owners Prevent Arthritis?

As we mentioned above, not all forms of arthritis is preventable. As some of them are genetic, meaning dogs are born with the disease.

You can help your dog reduce his risk and the severity of arthritis by making sure he gets plenty of exercise, is not overweight, and maintain his lean body weight which can go a long way in reducing his exposure.
If you should have a puppy, be sure they eat properly to support slow growth to ensure his muscles, joints and bones develop as they should.
There are also some supplements that you can give to your dog to help ease the arthritis and joint pain. Check with your vet for the types of supplements your dog requires.
Remember, that the cold aggravates joint pain, so protect him from cold weather and cold drafts in the home.
Use fish oil with Omega-3’s to help strengthen joints and provide them with the vital supplement they need to avoid arthritis. You can purchase fish oil for your dog at the pet store. Consult your vet for the correct dosage for your dog’s breed.
Your pet needs a supplement that contains glucosamine and chrondritin every day. This helps lubricate the joints and prevent bones from painfully grinding against each other. Other ingredients that are good: MSM, Turmeric, Green Lipped Mussel, Hyaluronic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin D, C, Grape Seed, Selenium, and Manganese.
Avoid the following ingredients: Soy, Corn Syrup, Ethoxyquin, and Propylene Glycol. If any of these ingredients are mentioned on the label, avoid purchasing the product.

Always, if you any concerns about arthritis, consult your veterinarian.

What Type of Bed Should I Get?

Brindle Bolster Orthopedic Dog Bed Small Dogs

As there are many different types of dog beds to consider we highly recommend an orthopedic bed or a bed with a memory foam mattress.

If your dog suffers from joint pain and arthritis, the best bed you can get for your dog is an orthopedic dog bed. These beds provide the best relief from joint pain. The memory foam spreads his weight evenly across the bed that helps reduce stress on his bones and joints.
If you should have a senior dog you may want to consider placing rugs on tile or hardwood floors. Another item to consider is purchasing ramps or cubes to help your dog to get upstairs or getting up and down from sofas.

Signs of Arthritis In Dogs

Now, let’s look at some of the signs your dog might display indicating he might have arthritis or joint pain. These signs are provided by PetPros:

Favoring a limb or limping
Stiffness when rising or lying down
Sleeping more often
Aggression or growl when touched
Reduced appetite
More accidents in the house
Hesitant to jump, run or climb stairs
Gaining weight
Flinching when touched
Licking or biting an affected area
Reduced interaction
Decreased activity & less interest to play
Difficulty in settling
Seeking warmth or a more comfortable place to rest
Attitude or behavioral changes (increased irritability)

Watch for these signs. If you should see one or more of them, contact your veterinarian right away so he can examine your dog to determine if he has arthritis or not.

Does Memory Foam Dog Beds Help?

Memory Foam Used In Dog Beds

In a short answer is yes they do. Just as humans like a supportive mattress, so will your pet. Memory foam conforms to your pet’s body and evenly distributes his weight relieving his achy joints, stiff muscles, and provides a better night’s sleep.

An orthopedic dog bed also provides extra support for his bones and joints, including hips and elbows. Most orthopedic dog beds are made with memory foam which is the best kind.

Below are some suggestions by CARE (Canine Arthritis Resources and education) on where to place the dog bed in the home.

Supportive bedding, such as memory foam mattresses, are ideal for dogs with arthritis.
Bedding should be placed in a warm non-drafty area of the house.
Make sure there is non-slip flooring under and around the bed.
If your dog is crate trained, the crate should be large enough for them to stand up, move around and stretch out. The crate should have supportive orthopedic bedding.
If your dog sleeps on the bed with you, ideally they shouldn’t jump off the bed but use stairs or a ramp, particularly if the bed is high.
Consider using a pulsed electromagnetic field bed can provide some relief.
Memory foam is a good bedding choice as it provides support for joints and his body that’s evenly spread across the foam.

Puppy Breeds Can Benefit From Supplements

Below are some of the dog breeds in puppies that can benefit the most from using supplements.

Toy Breeds

Miniature Poodles
Boston Terriers
Chihuahuas
Pugs
Yorkshire Terriers

Medium to Large Breeds

American Staffordshire Terrier
Labrador Retrievers
Golden Retrievers
Boxers
American Bulldogs
English Bulldogs
German Shepherds
Mastiffs

Giant Breads

Great Danes
Bernard’s

The breeds listed above are genetically prone for arthritis. Your vet can assist you in selecting the right supplements to help prevent or prolong his health in preventing the onslaught of arthritis.

Conclusion

We made a strong case that orthopedic dog beds are the best for dogs that suffer from aching joints and arthritis. We also mentioned that there are some measures as a pet owner can do to help minimize your dog’s arthritis. You can give him some supplements that can help slow down the disease.

It is important to remember that once your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis it does not go away. You can only help limit the pain your dog is experiencing through treatments you vet can recommend.

We also shared information on the signs of arthritis in dogs. If you should notice any of them, contact your vet right away so they can confirm your dog actually has arthritis.

There are some preventive measures you can do to slow down this horrible disease in dogs.

Shop Orthopedic Dog Beds

Below are some of the best orthopedic dog beds for your dog that suffers from joint pain or arthritis. You will be taken to Amazon where you can purchase the dog bed, read customer reviews and answered questions.

We have more orthopedic dog beds that are made in the USA. You can check them out by clicking on the following link: Orthopedic Dog Beds Made In USA.

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Aspen Pet Orthopedic Bed