Know if Your Dog Bed Is Really Orthopedic

Orthopedic dog beds are all the rage right now -- everyone is selling an "orthopedic" dog bed. But wait. . .is this dog bed really orthopedic? Are you getting what you are paying for?

What makes a dog bed orthopedic? If a dog bed completely eliminates all painful pressure points then it is truly an orthopedic dog bed. For dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, and joint issues this is especially important.

Steps

 * 1)  Know that there is only one material known to man that completely eliminates pressures points and that material is memory foam.
 * 2) Make the effort to reduce the number of pressure points. This allows the blood to flow through the joints as your dog sleeps or rests - and it is just like oil in a car - the blood lubricates the joint. You will see your dog get up from a genuinely orthopedic dog bed with less aches and pains.
 * 3) Look for the type of material that exists in the premium type of dog bed - memory foam. What are the materials being used in "orthopedic' dog beds? but they are not memory foam and thus are not truly orthopedic. Here are some examples of materials that are NOT orthopedic because they still allow for pressure points. Since these materials are not memory foam they are not genuinely orthopedic!

Tips

 * These materials are not truly orthopedic:
 * egg crate foam
 * shredded memory foam!!!
 * high memory fiber fill
 * convoluted foam
 * medical grade hospital foam
 * 'high density' foam (what is that???!)
 * foam chips
 * recycled fiber
 * batting
 * cedar
 * polyester fiber
 * Next, it is important to ask what quality of memory foam is being used in your orthopedic dog bed. There are currently 3 qualities of memory foam.
 * 5 pound memory foam - this is the finest quality available on the market today - there is no finer quality.
 * 4 pound memory foam - this is generally the quality of memory foam used on most "human" beds.
 * 3 pound memory foam -many memory foam orthopedic dog beds use the lesser quality 3 pound memory foam (which is even known to lose its "memory" over time).
 * Believe me, if the manufacturer of your orthopedic dog bed is using 5 pound memory foam - they will tell you! If the manufacturer is using a lesser grade memory foam - they will often omit that information.
 * Be sure to ask what quality of memory foam is being used in the orthopedic dog bed you are considering purchasing!

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Calm a Nervous Dog in the Car
 * How to Clean a Dog's Wound
 * How to Feed Your Dog Naturally
 * How to Help a Female Dog Who Is Injured Urinate

Sources and Citations

 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip_dysplasia_(canine)
 * http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pets_caninearthritis
 * http://www.buddybeds.com/orthopedic_dog_beds_s/BB_PRESS_10/Orthopedic_Dog_Beds_are_hot_right_now!_Yet_is_your_Dog_Bed_Really_Orthopedic?