What is an “orthopedic bed” for a dog?
There are many types of dog beds on the market, and orthopedic beds for dogs have become increasingly popular lately. We will tell you in our article what type it is, why and what it is.
An adult dog can sleep between 10 and 16 hours a day, and its health depends, among other things, on the quality of this rest, so it is very important to pay attention to what your pet sleeps on.
There are many different types of sleeping places on the dog market, and recently orthopedic beds for dogs have become very popular. We will tell you in our article what kind, why and what it is.
What is an “orthopedic bed” for a dog?
We have done a lot of research on this topic and found that there is no technical or legal definition of what an “orthopedic dog bed” is. Everyone has a general idea and it is more about marketing than scientific research.
Based on our own experience in bed manufacturing, research and communication with orthopedic specialists, we have identified three main characteristics of orthopedic beds:
1. They do not exert pressure on the dog's pressure points while it is sleeping and therefore do not disturb blood circulation. This means that they are beds that have a non-rigid surface.
2. They can support the dog's weight well, meaning they have a thick layer of filling.
3. They are easy to get on and off.
Which beds cannot be described as “orthopedic”?
To understand what an orthopedic dog bed is, we have identified the characteristics of beds that do not belong to this category:
1. Beds stuffed with incomprehensible fillers and having an uneven “bumpy” surface;
2. Beds that are poorly filled. They have a thin mattress surface: when you lie on them, you can feel the floor under the bed;
3. Beds that lose their shape very quickly.
What types of fillers are used in orthopedic beds for animals?
Just like humans, our four-legged friends also like to rest in a comfortable and cosy bed. An orthopedic dog bed provides the right support for the dog's body, prevents joint problems, relieves existing pain, improves blood circulation and ensures a restful sleep. All you have to do is choose the right type of filling.
memory foam
Memory foam (latex chips) is a highly elastic foam that is characterized by its ability to adapt to the shape of the dog's body. What does this mean? When your dog lies down on the mattress, the foam initially behaves like ordinary polyurethane foam and shows elasticity. But after just a few minutes of lying down, it becomes viscous and gives a feeling of weightlessness. This reduces the pressure on the animal's pressure points, which creates additional comfort, since the surface does not press and does not interfere with blood circulation. Rest and rest are much better in such a bed.
Other benefits of beds with memory foam filling:
1. The bed does not lose its shape over the years. How it works: After the dog leaves the bed and its heat no longer affects the material, the filling returns to its original state and shape;
2. Hypoallergenic and hygienic. The composition of the filling material prevents the proliferation of dust mites and other microorganisms. Therefore, a bed with memory foam is well ventilated and remains hygienically clean.
In Europe and the United States of America, beds with this filling are considered orthopedic.
We use memory foam in products like Cover, a memory foam pillow (it has an additional cushion on an adhesive tape where you can comfortably rest your head) and Island.
holofiber.
This type of synthetic filling is made from recycled plastic, which is most commonly used to fill pillows. Holofiber is the most popular filling because it is both elastic and loose, as well as easy to care for, which makes bed hygiene easier.
Beds with holofiber are perfect for washing on a delicate cycle, after which they dry very quickly, and to return them to their normal shape it is enough to simply fluff them up. Since this filler is synthetic, it does not attract dust mites and other microorganisms and does not absorb odors.
To maintain the elasticity of a holofiber mattress, it should be regularly plumped up by hand, like a pillow. This is especially important for owners of medium to large dogs weighing 12 kg or more. This way, the mattress will reliably retain its firmness. If the mattress has become crumpled over the years and you are too lazy to refresh it, you can simply renew it. In order for the bed to retain its elasticity for as long as possible, we do not skimp on filling in our products, which in each bed corresponds to the weight of the animal that will sleep on it. In addition, the mattress with this filling is made in separate capsules so that it does not get lost.
We use holofiber in our Lounger, Dreamer, Bagel, Donut and Sofa products, in our Sleeper Mini Sofas and in the sides of the Sleeper Sofa.
polyurethane foam
The third type is the very popular polyurethane foam, better known as foam rubber.
In the production of our beds and mattresses we use medium-rigid polyurethane foam - the height of this foam is 15 cm.
It perfectly supports the weight of medium-sized (Cocker Spaniel, Australian Shepherd, Basset Hound) and large dogs (Great Dane, Mastiff, Akita, Newfoundland) and will become a favorite of dogs who like to sleep on flat surfaces without pillows.
