How Does Memory Foam Help My Dog
Visco-elastic memory foam is designed to conform to your animal’s body and fill in all the gaps. This ensures that pressure points are distributed across the surface and the body is supported all the way across. For a bed to redistribute the weight it needs to be composed of two types of foam. The top needs to be a viscoelastic (4lb memory foam) and that needs to be bonded to a base layer of HR foam. This allows the dog to sink into the proper amount and no more. If beds were just a block of memory foam, the dog would simply sink down to the floor.
Did you know according to the APPA that 9 out of 10 dogs will suffer from arthritis and joint pain? If your dog is having issues, they can really benefit from having that pressure is taken off their front and hind legs, as well as remove any pain with a dog bed for hip dysplasia. That same science of support can help younger dogs too! How? Well, read on!
So we already know if your dog is younger and not showing signs of problems, that it is most likely only a matter of time. The American Pet Product Association goes into further detail that if your dog lives to be 10 years or older, it is almost a certainty that they will have these afflictions. By putting your dog on a memory foam support system early in life, it can really help alleviate some of the issues that might occur later. Now joint problems are often inevitable and even genetic. But did you know that working dogs and dogs that are into sports (like agility training and fly ball) show dramatic differences in their joints as they get older? This proves that wear and tear on the joints do add up. It would also make sense to infer that things like the impact of jumping up and down from things, as well as sleeping on hard surfaces can be extremely detrimental to overall health. This may also mean if you have a working dog that has strenuous duties or even if you participate in dog type sports, a proactive measure to get a memory foam dog bed is even more important. Even more so when you realize the restorative benefits of these types of beds.
One major benefit not often discussed is improved blood flow. If you remove the pressure points from the body, It allows better blood flow for those areas. Especially if you have a sporting dog that is constantly working those muscles. By allowing more nutrient-rich blood flow into those areas, it can heal and restore more effectively. This will allow a faster recovery time as well as neutralize some of the long terms effects that the sport has on your dog’s body.
Are All Orthopedic Beds The Same?
No! The answer might sound scary….. But most “orthopedic dog beds” are not even orthopedic. Most beds use cheap recycled foam chips or cheap convoluted egg crate foam. There is nothing supportive or pressure relieving about these materials and you should stay clear. Several popular beds on the internet that claim to be orthopedic are often just thick chunks of foam for dogs to lay on. If it is not quality memory foam, it is not conforming. If it is not conforming, it is not pressured relieving, if it is not pressured relieving, it is not an orthopedic bed!
Stay away from claims of “orthopedic foam” and other companies that claim to sell orthopedic beds that do not use memory foam and base foam. Also, stay away from any egg crate foam or “cot” like beds. As any Boy Scout can tell you there is nothing supportive or comfortable about a cot.
Is your dog having a hard time getting into or up from their regular dog bed? Do they seem stiff or move a little slower after a long nap or in the morning after sleeping all night? Do they keep changing positions or seem to not find a comfortable spot in their current dog bed or do they completely avoid their bed now? It’s time for a new orthopedic bed.
With so many bed options available at your local pet store, how do you know what to look for? Look for a mattress that is a minimum of 2 inches up to 7 inches of memory foam. A good way to judge a bed is to put it down on the floor and push down on it to see if you can feel the floor through the mattress. If you can, then it is too thin and will not help support and protect your dog. You are looking for a solid supportive mattress, preferably with memory foam, not just fluffy stuffing that gives when pressure is applied. These types of fluffy beds are no better than laying on the floor and need to be replaced so often that they are more expensive in the long run than if you invest in a high quality, human-grade bed.
Just as we enjoy a comfortable supportive mattress, so will your dog. Memory foam will conform to and support your dog’s body just as it does for us humans. Preventing achy joints, stiff muscles, improved blood flow, and a night of more restful sleep are just a few health benefits of a good memory foam orthopedic bed.
Most dogs sleep an average of 20 hours a day which can add a lot of pressure to their joints if they are laying on worn-out beds or hard surfaces. This is especially important for dogs that have hip or joint issues and for older dogs, but actually a supportive orthopedic bed is something any age or breed dog should have. Greyhounds and other thinner breed dogs have very little to no padding on their hips and elbows and over time they will develop calluses covering these tender spots. For breeds known for hip dysplasia, joint issues or arthritis, it is even more important to start them off, even as a puppy, with an orthopedic bed to prolong healthy joints and prevent these painful ailments for your dog:
If you notice your dog is experiencing joint pain or arthritis, contact your McLean, VA veterinarian for a thorough exam and to discuss pain treatment options. We are here to answer any questions and help your pet live their best life. Call us at (703) 356-5000, we are open 7 days a week to care for your pets.
How a Real Orthopedic Dog Beds Helps with Hip Dysplasia | Big Barker
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