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No matter how hard we try to keep our pooch happy and safe, there are times when we can’t prevent health problems from ruining his life. Hip dysplasia can lead to his pain and suffering. He may get this condition after suffering from a hip injury or because of genetic factors.
The good news is, there is still hope that the love of our life will continue to live a happy, long, and fulfilling life. We can ask the help of his vet to ease his pain and suffering. Another thing we can do is to get them the best bed for his special needs.
For dogs with hip dysplasia, the best choice is usually the best orthopedic dog beds in the market. These offer the right support, which then helps him get his daily dose of beauty rest. Out of all the orthopedic dog beds in the market, the following are the experts’ and pet parent’s favorite.
8 Best Dog Beds For Hip Dysplasia
Here are the best dog bed for hip dysplasia:
- Best Overall: Big Barker Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed
- Runner-up: PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed
- Best Bolster-type Bed: K&H Deluxe Ortho Bolster Sleeper
- Most Hypoallergenic: Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed
- Most Waterproof: Milliard Premium Orthopedic Dog Bed
- Best for Large Dogs: BarksBar Gray Orthopedic Dog Bed
- Best Non-Slip: KOPEK Memory Foam Dog Bed
- Most Durable: Better World Pets Bed
Best Overall: Big Barker Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed
Key Features:
- 4-inch contoured foam
- 2 2-inch H10 comfort foam
- 3-inch H45 support foam
- Soft, micro suede cover
- Comes in 3 sizes and 4 colors
- American-made
Pet parent’s favorite is the Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed. This bed has 7-inch, 3-layered ultra supportive therapeutic memory foam and 4-inch headrest for maximum support. It is clinically-proven to help dogs with hip dysplasia and other orthopedic issues reduce pain and improve mobility.
The bed is proudly made in the USA and is praised for its aesthetics, durability, and quality. The bed does not flatten overtime while the cover is very easy to clean and maintain.
Runner-up: PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed
Key Features:
- Solid 4-inch memory foam base
- Waterproof inner liner
- Polyester and cotton twill outer fabric
- Recycled polyfill support bolster
- Non-skid bottom
- Comes in 3 colors and 4 sizes
PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed lives up to its name since many pet parents love the orthopedic features of this dog bed. It comes with a 4-inch memory foam, perfect for dogs of all sizes. This can be a great choice for dogs big or small, especially dogs with hip dysplasia and arthritis.
Its non-skid bottom keeps the bed in place even if we have slippery, hardwood floors. With this pet bed, we can have peace of mind knowing no harsh materials were used.
Best Bolster-type Bed: K&H Deluxe Ortho Bolster Sleeper
Key Features:
- 3-inch medical-grade orthopedic foam
- Soft, quilted fleece sleeping surface
- Microsuede cover
- Overfilled bolsters
- Comes in 2 colors and 4 sizes
The K&H Deluxe Ortho Bolster Sleeper is a paw-shaped bolster-type bed. The bed provides excellent comfort and support thanks to its medical grade orthopedic foam core. The overstuffed bolsters are protected by a velvety microsuede cover while the sleeping surface is constructed from quilted fleece.
This is perfect for our pooch that loves to curl up as he sleeps. It provides great value considering the price tag. We just wish the cover is a lot easier to remove and put on.
Most Hypoallergenic: Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed
Key Features:
- Human-grade bed
- Water-resistant liner
- Non-skid bottom
- YKK metal zippers
- Hair-, tear-. and water-resistant cover
- Comes in 4 sizes and 4 colors
Another bolster-type bed that made it to the list is the Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed.
It is made from human-grade mattress, water-resistant liner and 3-bolster sides for maximum comfort, support and security. It comes in 4 colors and 4 sizes.
One reason many pet parents like this bed is due to its hypoallergenic features. It is hair-resistant, fur-resistant, and water-resistant. It also has an anti-tear cover and non-skid bottom, making it another great choice for dogs with orthopedic needs.
Some parents reported the pet bed is not as water-resistant as the manufacturer claimed it to be.
Most Waterproof: Milliard Premium Orthopedic Dog Bed
Key Features:
- 4-inch support and luxe foam base
- Non-slip rubber grips
- Waterproof cover
- CertiPUR certified
- Comes in 4 sizes
The Milliard Premium Orthopedic Dog Bed is made with our canine buddy’s comfort in mind. The luxe and support foam is designed to conform to our fur baby’s contour, offering excellent orthopedic support. The bed does not flatten overtime, while the waterproof cover is machine washable.
The bed arrives rolled up and vacuum sealed. It does take time for the bed to fully inflate. We can air it out outside to hasten the process.
Note that this is not the best bed for dogs who like to chew on beds. It also has no headrest or bolsters.
Best for Large Dogs: BarksBar Gray Orthopedic Dog Bed
Key Features:
- 3 ½-inch solid orthopedic foam
- Ultrasoft polyester plush cover
- Cotton padded walls
- Non-slip bottom
- Comes in 3 sizes
One thing that sets the BarksBar Gray Orthopedic Dog Bed-Snuggly Sleeper apart from other beds is that it has both an orthopedic foam and cotton pad. These help aid in decompressing our canine buddy’s neck and spine. The rim cushions help prevent him from falling from his bed.
The bed promotes faster recuperation, even for dogs suffering from hip dysplasia. The bed is extra comfy while the cover is machine-washable.
Best Non-Slip: KOPEK Memory Foam Dog Bed
Key features:
- 7-inch hypo-allergenic memory foam
- 3-inch pillow
- Water-resistant cover
- Anti-slip bottom
- Comes in 3 colors
- 35 x 10 x 10 inches
The KOPEK Memory Foam Dog Bed features a 7-inch memory foam plus another 3-inch headrest. It is one of the best hypoallergenic dog beds in the market that also caters to dogs with orthopedic needs. Its cover is water-resistant, giving us another peace of mind in case our pooch has any accident.
Many pet parents already shared their stories of how this dog bed helped their fur babies’ lives for the better. The bed won’t pancake over time and the non-slip bottom serves as another plus point for pet parents.
Most Durable: Better World Pets Bed
Key Features:
- 5-inch thick memory foam
- Waterproof removable liner
- Pure shredded memory foam bolsters
- Canvas and fleece cover
- Comes in 3 sizes and 2 colors
If we are after an extra-durable foam bed, then we can go for the Better World Pets Bed. It comes with a full 5-inch thick memory foam base, waterproof liner, and memory foam bolsters. The bed has a durable construction and is 100% waterproof.
It offers unbeatable comfort, even for hip dysplasia pet babies. The company offers a full 1-year warranty for unhappy customers. The only downside of this bed is that it is actually heavy, making it hard for some pet owners to move the bed around.
What is Hip Dysplasia?
Hip Dysplasia is a condition characterized by abnormal hip growth or development. Dogs with hip dysplasia have loose hip joints, which leads to limited motion, pain, or lameness. If a dog’s hip dysplasia occurred early at around 4 and 18 months, this is what we called an early-onset dysplasia.
If a dog’s dysplasia occurs later in life, his improper joint fit causes bone-to-bone contact. This puts the poor dog in pain and misery. Note that hip dysplasia can also occur if a dog suffers from a femur or pelvis injury.
Who Are at Risk of Developing Hip Dysplasia?
Dogs can inherit this type of condition. They will often have an early- or late-onset dysplasia. This is common among some breeds, including the following.
- Basset Hound
- Black Russian Terrier
- Brussels Griffon
- Bulldogs
- Cane Corso
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Great Dane
- German Shepherd
- Most Mastiffs
- Most Retrievers
- Pugs
- Rottweiler
- Saint Bernard
Since dogs who had a traumatic injury in the pelvis or hips can develop hip dysplasia, all dogs can be susceptible to this condition. This means even if our fur baby’s breed is not mentioned, they can get hip dysplasia via injury.
What Are Its Symptoms?
Different dogs can present varying symptoms that point to hip dysplasia. This includes the following.
Limping
Limping caused by hip dysplasia can either be mild, acute, intermittent, severe, or constant. Some dogs wake up and will suddenly limp one day. Others dogs will show limping after exercise.
Bunny hopping
Some dogs look like they are bunny hopping, or moving both back legs when running. Dogs do this to avoid hip dysplasia-related pain.
Depression or lethargy
Dogs in pain or have motion-limiting conditions can experience depression. Our pooch will try to reduce his movements in an attempt to avoid pain. He may now refuse to jump on our bed, run after us, or even go on our usual walks.
Unusual posture or gaits
Our pooch may try to sit, stand or walk in unusual ways to reduce his pain. He may stand on his rear feet or sit on one of his hips instead of both to reduce unnecessary pressure on his affected hip.
Vocalizations
Most of the time, our pooch will tell us he is in pain by making noises like crying or whining. We can often hear these vocalizations when he moves, walks, or changes in position.
Inability to sit or lay still
Dogs with hip dysplasia will find it hard to find a comfortable sitting and sleeping position. He may try to toss and turn often to find a more comfortable spot. This affects his sleep, which is why we ought to find him the best orthopedic memory foam bed.
What Do You Do If Your Dog Has Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia?
The first thing we need to do is to check if our canine buddy has any other minor issue. If his symptoms persist, then we ought to take him to his vet. His vet may recommend an X-ray to confirm hip dysplasia after a physical exam.
Be ready for his detailed medical history as the vet will surely ask many questions to rule out the right diagnosis. If we have a new pooch, it is important that we take him immediately for his first vet appointment. Some dogs live most of their lives with an undiagnosed hip dysplasia, and that is the last thing we want for our new pooch.
How Do You Treat Hip Dysplasia?
The treatment regimen depends on the severity of the hip dysplasia. For mild cases, they may recommend us to help maintain our fur baby’s weight. High-impact activities need to be avoided.
Moderate to severe cases may require the following treatment regimens.
Weight management
Extra weight can put unnecessary stress on his already damaged hip or joints. This means we need to change his diet just so we can help him maintain a healthy weight. He might also need to do more exercise but not high-impact activities.
Supplements and medications
His vet may recommend supplements to reduce his pain and regenerate new cartilage. Most of the time, vets will prescribe chondroitin and glucosamine.
There are also some medications that can reduce his pain like ibuprofen and corticosteroids. We should never self-medicate our pooch to avoid complications. We also should avoid giving him human medications as some meds for us humans can be dangerous for dogs.
Heat therapy
Heat therapy helps reduce his pain while increasing blood flow to his hips. We can invest in a heating pad. The additional heat will help his body build new cartilage and add into his comfort.
Physical therapy
There are exercises that can help our pooch recover from hip dysplasia. This includes massage and hydrotherapy. Strengthening his leg and hip muscles can help his recovery.
Surgery
If all else failed, his vet may recommend surgery as the last resort. Our pooch may undergo complete hip replacement if needed.
Things to Consider When Buying the Right Dog Bed That Can Help with Hip Dysplasia
There are many factors involved in choosing the best dog bed for our hip dysplasia patient. Some of these are as follows.
Size
We need to find a bed that fully supports our fur baby’s body. This means measuring him while he is in his favorite sleeping position is a must. Add up to 14-inches for a better fit.
Plenty of cushion
Our pooch needs a bed that is at least 4-inches thick. The bigger our pooch is, the more foam he needs. This is to ensure the bed can accommodate his heavier weight.
Memory foam core
Since our pooch has hip dysplasia, we need an ultra supportive bed made with high-quality memory foam. Thankfully, the market is never short of memory foam beds. These conform to our pet’s contour, reducing pressure on his painful areas and finally giving him a good night’s sleep.
Machine-washable cover
Not everyone has big and industrial-sized washers, making it a must that we invest in a bed with a machine-washable cover. This helps us maintain a cleaner bed. If our pooch has allergies, then we need to find a hypoallergenic dog bed to make sure the cover won’t be an allergen-magnet.
Manufacturer’s warranty
Of course, we should not take the dog bed’s manufacturer’s warranty. In case anything goes wrong, we can request a refund or replacement. Be sure to read the reviews and product description to learn more about how the warranty works.
Materials
We also need to take into consideration the materials used for the bed. Some beds are more durable than others. If our pooch loves to chew, then it only becomes a must that we find an orthopedic bed that is chew proof.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size should I get for my dog?
Dog beds vary in sizes. But just because we have a medium-sized pooch does not mean we already need a medium-sized bed. We need to take into consideration his actual size and weight along with his favorite sleeping position.
For best results, measure him from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail. Add up to 14-inches and consider his sleeping position. If he is still young and hasn’t reached the average size for his breed, then we can choose a one-size larger bed.
Can a dog live with hip dysplasia?
The short answer is yes. Dogs can live with hip dysplasia for as long as their breed’s regular lifespan. But then, if left untreated or undiagnosed, this can affect his quality of life. We don’t want our pooch to live a long life while living in pain and misery.
How can I help my dog with hip dysplasia?
The best thing we can do for our pooch is to take him to his vet and discuss the best treatment for his condition. Even the best dog bed won’t treat his condition. But it can help in a faster recovery and give our pooch the rest and sleep he badly deserves.
Conclusion
There are so many orthopedic dog beds in the market that promise pain relief and excellent support for dogs with hip dysplasia. These beds may not treat our favorite pet’s condition. But choosing the right one is one of the best ways we can show our love and care considering his condition.
When choosing any dog bed, we need to consider his size and sleeping position, the materials used, and the quality of the bed. These beds, along with our love and care and his vet’s recommendations, can help our pooch live a longer, healthier, and less painful doggy life.
