As your dog gets older, their bed matters more. They sleep longer, get up more slowly, and their joints cope less well with hard floors. A good bed does not treat arthritis, but it makes rest more comfortable day to day.
Recognising the signs of stiffness
Arthritis often creeps in quietly. Your dog does not complain: they adapt. Watch for these signs:
- they get up slowly, in several stages, especially after a nap;
- they hesitate before jumping into the car or onto the sofa;
- they struggle on the stairs;
- they circle for a long time before lying down, then drop down;
- they often lick a joint;
- they cut their walks short or lag behind at the end.
These signs are a reason to see your vet. Only a vet can confirm the diagnosis and suggest suitable treatment. Never give your dog a medicine meant for people: some are toxic to dogs.
The criteria for a good bed for an older dog
Firm, thick support
The bed must support the body without the hips or elbows touching the floor. Try a simple test: press down with your fist in the centre of the bed. If you can feel the floor, the bed is too thin for a medium or large dog. Memory foam spreads the weight and relieves pressure points. We explain how it works in our guide to the memory foam mattress.
Easy access
A stiff dog must be able to get into their bed without jumping or stepping over a high edge. Look at the height of the side they enter by. A mattress without an edge is the simplest to use. A bed with a raised edge can work if the edge stays soft and low enough for your dog.
A stable surface
An older dog has less balance. If the bed slides on wooden or tiled floors when they step onto it, they may lose their footing. Put the bed on a non-slip rug, or wedge it against a wall.
Enough room to stretch out
A dog in pain often changes position to ease their joints. Choose a bed where they can lie at full length.
A cover that is easy to wash
An older dog may have small urine leaks. A zipped cover that goes in the washing machine makes care simpler. If the leaks become frequent, talk to your vet: they can have a medical cause.
Two shapes of bed to consider
For a large dog, or a dog that sleeps stretched out, a mattress is often more practical. The Carré mattress measures 130 × 85 × 18 cm and is filled with memory foam. It has no edge to step over, and its zipped cover washes at 30 °C.
For a small or medium dog that likes to rest their head on something, a bed with a backrest may suit them. The Lodie dog sofa, in size M, measures 80 × 60 × 30 cm. Its armrests and backrest are padded, on a memory foam base. Before you choose it, check that your dog can get in without effort.
Placing the bed well
- Away from draughts: many older dogs look for warmth. Avoid the entrance, patio doors and cold tiles.
- Close to family life: a dog that moves around less likes to see what is going on without having to get up.
- No obstacles: the way to the bed, the bowl and the door must stay clear. Lay rugs on slippery floors that they cross often.
- On the same floor as you: if your dog struggles with stairs, provide a second bed where you spend your evenings.
If you are replacing their old bed, put the new one in the same place, with a blanket that carries their scent. They will accept it more easily. Our guide to where to put the dog bed gives more tips.
In short
- Stiffness when getting up, hesitation to jump, shorter walks: show your dog to the vet.
- Choose a thick, firm bed, where the joints do not touch the floor.
- Check that they can get in without jumping, and that the bed does not slide.
- Put it somewhere warm, away from draughts, close to you.