What to Look for in an Orthopedic Dog Bed

Size

First off, determine the size that’s best suited for your pet. Most dog beds are available in numerous sizes, ranging from small to XXL. Dog bed sizes aren’t always consistent between brands, so it’s important to check both a bed’s recommended weight, as well as its dimensions, to ensure your dog will fit in it comfortably.

Materials

Orthopedic dog beds are designed to provide superior support to your dog’s joints, and to do this, they need to be made from high-quality materials. “Material such as memory foam helps support joints and limbs while laying down and provide stability when getting up from the beds,” explains Countner. “The bed should have a non-slip underside or should be placed on non-slip flooring to prevent instability when standing up.” If your dog also has skin issues or allergies, NIGHT’s Silk Pet Bed could be another good orthopedic option. If your dog tends to devour its bedding, a bed for chewers may be the best option.

Style

When it comes to dog beds, the two main styles to look for are flat beds and bolster beds. “Some dogs like flat beds, others prefer a bolster along the sides to feel safe or rest their heads on,” says Dr. Countner. “Some dogs like a cooling pad/gel built in since their joints can be inflamed and run warm.”

Care Instructions

It should be simple to clean the orthopedic dog bed you select, especially if your dog tends to bring the outdoors inside with them. Check the label for proper care instructions which may include machine washing, hanging dry, or washing by hand. Many beds have a removable cover that can be unzipped and placed in a washing machine while others may only allow for spot cleaning. Following the care instructions specific to the bed you select will help to maintain the integrity of the orthopedic features.

How We Tested

We selected 21 of the latest, top-performing orthopedic dog beds available and sent each one to a real home with a real dog (sometimes dogs!) for real-world testing.

Each of our canine test subjects was observed as they napped, snacked, played, lounged, and slept (wish we could see their dreams!) on a select orthopedic dog bed. Their human companions gather insights about the restful action they witnessed over the course of 3 weeks, and then shared their feedback within the following categories: Support, Quality, Size, Ease of Cleaning, and Value. They were also asked if they would recommend the best they tested.

Equipped with this first-hand information, we ranked and categorized our top picks to simplify your search for the perfect orthopedic dog bed to suit your senior pup’s needs, habits, and preferences.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This roundup was written by Anna Mejorada, a writer for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a pomeranian named Gidget. Before researching and writing about pet products for a living, Mejorada embarked on a self-mandated, ongoing quest to find the optimal items for her dog. She is now delightfully devoted to helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets.

A previous version was written by Camryn Rabideau, a lifelong animal owner who’s tested numerous dog beds in her career as a product tester. Before writing this article, she interviewed Dr. Tori Countner, DVM, owner of the Balanced Pet Vet, for information on what to look for in an orthopedic dog bed. To select products, she prioritized beds made from high-quality memory foam that feature non-slip bases. The Spruce Pets team also tested top products with our own dogs.