Why Your Best Friend Might Need an Orthopedic Dog Bed
 
As your dog gets older, it’s likely that he may develop Canine Arthritis or Hip Dysplasia, especially if it is overweight or a larger breed.  You may not be aware of the different types of dog beds and what it is that your dog might require.
 
An orthopedic dog bed can be used as a way to delay the onset of some common problems in older or overweight dogs, such as Dyslpasia and Arthritis.  There are some breeds that are susceptible to these problems and you may wish to purchase an orthopedic dog bed to give your dog comfort in his later years.  Orthopedic dog beds support the dog’s joints and help alleviate the pain of hip Dysplasia and Arthritis.
 
There are a few different types of dog beds, different fillings are used such as egg crate foam.  While this may be practical for smaller dogs, it’s not advisable to use it for dogs with arthritic problems as the filling is too thin.  Memory foam is made from durable, elastic foam and has the ability to form to the shape of the dog and mold itself to the dog’s contours, then it restores to its original shape.  You may even have a mattress or pillow made from this material for yourself.  You can also get gell-filled mattresses although the memory foam is better as it conforms to the body.  Most orthopedic dog beds are constructed from a wooden frame with the memory foam mattress inserted. 
 
Orthopedic Dog Beds are lower to the ground which reduces the injuries sustained from jumping up and down from a bed or couch.   Because the memory foam is light weight, the whole bed is reasonably easy to move around as it is not too heavy.
 
Waterproof orthopedic dog beds are also available, they have a tough polyester cover which will keep out moisture – much the same as your outdoor furniture.  I know whenever my dog has a bath, the first thing he does, well the second thing after running around the yard like a maniac is to throw himself on his bed and roll around, obviously he is still quite wet so a waterproof mattress is ideal for these situations.  Even other situations like getting home from the beach after a swim or getting stuck in the rain during a walk, you’ll be thankful for having a waterproof orthopedic dog bed.
 
You might also want to consider whether the orthopedic dog bed you’re looking into has a comfortable outer material as well and that it is stain resistant and even if it is machine washable.  Not to mention guarding against mites, allergens and also odours.
  
It’s important to ensure that your best friend is comfortable in it’s later years, you know that your dog would stop at nothing to make sure you were.  

 

 
Large Dog Beds – Do You Really Need One? 
 
When you find that your dog is constantly getting on the sofa and making a mess with all the dog hair, it’s definitely time to invest in a large dog bed.  The last thing you need (apart from the hair) is the smell that can come with it.  These days you can get large dog beds that look like real furniture so they don’t look out of place in your home. 
 
Larger breeds need extra cushioning as they are prone to Arthritis and Hip Dysplasia, therefore sleeping on the floor isn’t really an option with a large dog.  The bed isn’t an option either unless you want to be the one sleeping on the floor!  When buying a large dog bed, you need to think about how your dog sleeps.  Does he curl up or spread out, possibly a little of both depending on the weather and other factors.
 


Memory foam beds are the best option, they have a higher price tag but last a lot longer than the cheaper large dog beds.  They are great for relieving aches and pains as they conform to your dog’s musculature, they then spring back to their normal form when the dogs gets off.  Different material designs are also available so you should be able to find one that fits in with your decor therefore they can still look like part of the furniture rather than a sloppy old mattress or sofa.    Covers can also be taken off for ease of washing, further reducing any nasty smells.
  
Think about where you are going to place your large dog bed.  Having the protective instinct that a lot of larger dogs have, they might prefer to be close to an external door or maybe by your bed.  You may want to consider purchasing a large dog bed that resembles the furniture that you already have in the room where you are going to put the dog bed. 
 
If you’ve just bought you new puppy into your home, and it’s a larger breed, yes, he may be small, cute and cuddly right now but it won’t be long before he’s too big for any bedding you may have bought.  You might want to consider purchasing a large dog bed for your future requirements and have him sleep on that from the start.
 
Being a large animal, it must be quite difficult getting comfortable and finding enough room to sleep therefore a large dog bed is essential for any large breed of dog, just ask my mastiff-great dane cross!

 

And What About A Heated Dog Bed? 

Even with a coat of fur, some dogs still feel the cold, they need a little extra warmth to get them through the night.  As your dog gets older, it may be feeling arthritic and be in some pain, therefore a heated dog bed may be just what the doctor/vet ordered.  You may also have a new litter and need some extra space and warmth for them.

 
Heated dog beds keep a constant temperature and are designed to keep the temperature at a safe level at all times.  Heated dog beds have controls that give you several setting choices.  Some more expensive brands are thermostatically controlled thereby keeping a consistent temperature, varying only by a degree or two.  Heated orthopedic dog beds are great for older dogs or dogs with Arthritis or Hip Dysplasia providing warmth in the colder months, the orthopedic dog beds are made from memory foam and the warmth from a heated dog bed can loosen the muscles and make them more comfortable.  You can also get heated mats for outside use, pillow beds with an internal heater and oval beds for smaller breeds.  There is also the thermo-wave microwavable dog bed warmer that is placed in the microwave and then into your dog’s bed and will stay warm up to twelve hours. 
 
You need to check how comfortable the heated dog bed is, the last thing your dog wants is to be able to feel the heating materials through the mattress.  The mattress stills needs to be of a hardy material with a good, solid foam – memory foam is the best.
 
You will need to look out for the cord, look for a steel-wrapped cord or simply cover it with some hose or conduit just in case your dog is a ‘chewer’.  Look out for a heated dog bed with a removable cover for ease of washing, preferably it will be machine washable.  The cover also needs to be of a durable material to keep any clawing or biting in check. 
 
I know I can’t get into a cold bed in winter, I love my electric blanket and I’m sure your dog will feel the same.
 

Here are some articles you may find interesting:

  • Heated Dog Bed: Providing Comfort and Warmth for Your Dog – That’s when a heated dog bed is perfect for your dog. You’ll also want to give even stronger consideration if your dog sufferes from arthritis or hip, joint or bone discomfort. A heated dog bed is pefrect for helping to soothe your dogs …

  • Heated dog beds, and large dog coats – Winter is coming soon, the weather is getting colder. My older mastiff will be 11yrs old in a few weeks. He is not as heavy as he used to be. This is a good thing for his joints, but not for the cold. I have tried different dog coats on …

Here are some of the best Heated Dog Beds on the market.  Prices quoted are recommended retail however you may find that they are on special at the moment at excellent prices – just click on the pictures to find out!  Free shipping may also be available.

 The Heated Toy Breed Dog Bed 

  The Heated Toy Breed Dog Bed is perfect for keeping your small and toy-breed dog warm and cozy year-round. Your favorite furry friend will love the snugness of the oval shaped bed. The orthopedic foam core can ease tension on sore joints, and the heat can melt aches away.  $4.99

  

Ortho Thermo-Bed 27 x 37 inches, with Green Bottom

  ORTHO THERMO-BEDThis orthopedic bed is great for all dogs, but a must for older dogs. It is without doubt the best on the market. For those who love their dogs, an orthopedic bed is fine, but try treating your dog to a heated orthopedic bed. Dual thermostats regulate the temperature of the heater buried deep within our plush super soft orthopedic foam. This foam is so thick and supportive, even the largest of dogs won’t “bottom out.” The heater keeps the surface of the plush faux lambskin cover at an inviting 12 to 15 degrees above ambient air temperature and warms to a cozy 102 degrees when the pet lies upon the bed. Features include a removable heater which makes this bed a year round bed. The cover is removable for washing. UL and CUL listed. This bed is recommended for indoor use.  $79.99   

  

Rectangular Heated Dog Bed

Therapeutic heat from this rectangular heated dog bed can help pets stay active and healthy. Low-level therapeutic warmth in the Dolce Vita Therabed provides comfort that has been scientifically proven to help reduce sore joints and muscles, stimulate circulation and improve the activity level in pets. The patent-pending Flat Screen Heater™ works like no other bed to uniformly distribute warm, comforting heat throughout the pad. Therapeutic foam padding provides edge to edge comfort and evenly supports and balances your pets’ body weight.

The luxurious and durable microsuede cover is water and stain resistant and can be easily removed and machine-washed. The cozy rectangle shaped bed comes in extra small and small or as a medium-sized sleeping cushion. Perfect for year-round comfort of cats and dogs.  $74.99 – $89.99

  

 Premium Heated Dog Bed 

This Heated Dog Bed has an upscale look of an attractive poly-fiber-filled washable dog bed with the benefit of body temperature heat. This Dog Bed is recommended for year-round indoor use. The Thermo Heated Dog Bed has dual thermostats to regulate the temperature in this unique Thermal Dog Bed. The Dog Beds heater keeps the surface temperature of the dog bed approximately 12 to 15 degrees above ambient air temperature. When the pet lies down on this Dog Bed it warms to a comfortable 102 degrees . The heater on this Dog Bed easily removes for washing, which makes the Dog Bed useable year round. UL and CUL listed. This Dog Bed is recommended for indoor use. A great bed for Dogs, keeps them warm and cozy. This Thermal Heated Dog Bed is a must for an older dog.   $79.99 – $109.99

 

  

Active Therapy

Veterenarians already know, but most of pet parents are just finding out: heat is good for pets. Specifically, low-level, long duration heat is particularly good for providing relief from arthritis pain, accelerating healing from injury or surgery, providing general relief from joint and muscle pain, and stimulating circulation in pets of all ages.

Safe-T-Pet
Exclusive Pet Sense thermal control protects your pet from overheating. This patent-pending heating mechanism precise than normal heated bed, thereby eliminating hot-spots. Low-voltage engineering makes Dolce Vita Therabed safer for your pet than household heating pads or electric blankets. Finally, non-slip materials help keeps the pad in place.   $79.99 – $99.99 

 

Oval Bed Regular Heated Dog Bed Large 40″ x 30″

 

Low-level therapeutic heat in the Dolce Vita Therabed provides warming comfort to help reduce sore joints and muscles, stimulate circulation, and improve the activity level of any pet. The patent-pending Flat Screen Heater™ delivers even heating throughout the bed pad and works with your pets’ body temperature to provide the ideal temperature recommended by veterinarians. Therapeutic foam padding provides edge to edge comfort and evenly supports and balances your pets’ body weight.

The luxurious, durable, micro suede cover is stain and water resistant and can be machine-washed over and over again. The cozy, oval shaped beds come in small, medium, large or extra large to fit any size of dog or cat for year round sleeping comfort. When the heating feature is not in use, the Dolce Vita™ Therabed™ offers healthy, full-body rest with therapeutic padding for year round sleeping comfort.  $169.99


 

Dolce Vita Combo Heating and Cooling Dog Bed D

 olc VThe Dolce Vita Heating and Cooling combo dog bed provides comfort and promotes good health for pets. Hot weather or strenuous activity can leave a pet exhausted and overheated. Normally pets seek the cooling effects of laying on hard tile or concrete surfaces which can stress bones and muscles. The Dolce Vita heated and cooling dog bed delivers cool air therapy through a unique, patent-pending air channel cushion and provides your pet with the comfort of a cool therapeutic surface to sleep and relax.

Low-level heat therapy has been proven scientifically to promote health and improve activity level of pets and can aid in providing relief from arthritis and sore joints and muscles. Additionally, the comforting effects of heat can stimulate circulation, reduce anxiety, and help pets maintain their natural body temperature. The Dolce Vita heating and cooling combo dog bed delivers heated air therapy through the cushion which helps pets remain pain free and active. The DuoTemp provides year-round comfort to pets of all ages.   $299.99
ita Combo Heating and Cooling Dog Bed

 
Dolce Vita heating and cooling combo dog bed wins Editor’s Choice Award! In recognition of excellence, DogFancy magazine has awarded the Editor’s Choice award to Dolce Vita’s DuoTemp heated and Cooling Dog Bed for 2007! Congratulations to Dolce Vita. Be sure to purchase the Dolce Vita Combo Heating and Cooling Dog Bed and find out what all the fuss is about.

 
Cool, Hot, In One Package
Dolce Vita is the first and only brand to provide a bed with both heating and cooling. Your pet will love you for it.

Cool Air Therapy
Pets get overheated, too. Now they can cool off in style. The Dolce Vita heating and cooling combo dog bed provides cool air when pets are stressed from exposure to a warm environment or strenuous activity.

Therapeutic Air Heat
Low-level warmth provides relief for sore joints and muscles, stimulates circulation and can help reduce anxiety.

Therapeutic Foam Padding
Provides balanced support to ease joint pain and reduce bone and muscle stress.

Luxurious Microsuede Cover
The cover is water, scratch and stain resistant and can be easily removed and machine-washed.

Pet Safe Design
The Dolce Vita Combo Heating and Cooling Dog Bed is designed with pet safety in mind. The bed functions on a safe, low power electrical system. The pad is slip resistant and the even-temp design eliminates hot or cold spots through uniform distribution of air flow.

 
Pictured is the easy-to-use controls for the Dolce Vita heating and cooling dog bed. With the flip of a switch, the temperature can be changed from hot and cold and back again. The Dolce Vita hating and cooling combo dog bed uses advanced technology to warm or cool your pet, as necessary. As shown, the DuoTemp is FC and CE certified, to ensure a reliable, safe product.
 
Pictured here is the rear view of the Dolce Vita DuoTemp Dog Bed. As shown, the Dolce Vita DuoTemp features a fan which circulates warm or cool air for the most effective temperature control.
 

Heating Pads are another option:

Heated Kennel Mat and Cover

Lectro-Kennel has been warming pets for over 30 years. It is ideal for use in a doghouse, kennel, garage, basement, porch or anywhere extra warmth is desired. Our Heated Kennel Pads use an internal thermostat to keep the temperature at a desirable 102 degrees when the pet lies upon the pad.
The unit is constructed of a rugged ABS plastic and a steel-wrapped cord. It can lie flat on the floor or be attached to the wall of the dog’s house so the dog can lie on or against it.
Lectro-covers are designed to attach to the Lectro-Kennel pad. They are made of faux lambskin and are machine washable. We offer a cover in each of the three Lectro-Kennel sizes.   $79.99 – $119.99

 

Medium Lectro Fleece Cover For The KH1010 Heated Pad  $19.99

heated pad
 
 

If you are looking for a Dog Bed, Pet Street Mall has one for you. They carry the largest selection of Quality Dog Beds on the Internet. All of our Beds are individually selected, and priced at the Lowest possible price anywhere. If you are shopping during the fall or winter months we suggest you consider a heated dog bed. We offer many heated beds with great styling and comfort with the added benefit of theraputic heat.

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Which designer dog bed will be best for your buddy?  There is a lot to take into consideration when buying a dog bed.  Designer dog beds are not made for comfort but more to be aesthetically pleasing to you, the dog owner.  These days however the variety of designer dog beds (and dog beds in general) is vast. 
 
 
 
When buying a designer dog bed, you need to take certain things in to consideration.  How does your dog sleep?  Does he curl up or stretch out?  If your dog is older, he will require a more supportive bed for his limbs and joints, the bed should also be low to the ground so he won’t injure himself getting on and off the bed.  I strongly suggest getting a designer dog bed with a removable cover that can be thrown in the washing machine, depending on your dog’s behavior, the cover should also be quite thick, just in case he’s a bit of a chewer.  It’s not a bad idea to get extra covers if  you can, as they will wear out eventually and if you are spending good money on a designer dog bed, you don’t want to have to replace the whole bed if there are covers available.  There are plenty of choices for fabric design so you can choose something to go with your existing decor.  Whether it be the bedroom or living area, it’s best to think about where the bed will be placed in the home before deciding on the fabric color and design.


 
There are plenty of designs for dog beds also, including sofa beds, timber or iron frames, different shapes – oval, square, etc.  The list goes on but I guess the main thing to consider is price.  If you’re looking in to designer dog beds, you’re probably happy to spend a bit of money on one but you’ll be happy to know that they can by purchased for less than $50.
 
Isn’t it great that these days your best friend doesn’t have to be left out in the cold and visitors can sit on a sofa that isn’t covered in dog hair.  Simply because your dog has a bed of his own that looks like part of the furniture.  You’ll just have to make sure your guests don’t sit in the dog’s bed!

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If you are looking for a Dog Bed, we have one for you. We carry the largest selection of Quality Dog Beds on the Internet. All of our Beds are individually selected, and priced at the Lowest possible price anywhere. If you are shopping during the fall or winter months we suggest you consider a heated dog bed. We offer many heated beds with great styling and comfort with the added benefit of theraputic heat. 

 

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