old Dog laying on a bed looking back

The 5 Best Dog Bed For Arthritis (2024 Edition)

• Updated on August 23, 2023

  • This review contains affiliate links. Read more here.
  • Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best dog bed for arthritis is, then we recommend the BarksBar Gray Orthopedic Bed as the best one.

Whether you’ve got a pup who’s only a few weeks old or a grumpy senior dog, any dog owner knows how essential a doggy bed is. Your precious pup deserves a place they can rest peacefully every night, but if your dog has arthritis, you’ll need to be careful about what type of bed you pick out.

Not every bed is suited for senior dogs with aching joints, and if you aren’t careful, you could end up choosing something that does more harm than good. Luckily, we’ve already done a lot of research on the best dog bed for arthritis, and we’ve compiled a list of top recommendations for you to look through.

Our Top Picks

You might have a good idea of what to look for in an orthopedic bed, but that doesn’t mean you know which products will measure up. Luckily, we do—here’s what we consider to be the best of the best:

OUR PICK
BarksBar Gray Orthopedic Dog Bed

Perfect for dogs of any ages, especially for older dogs with joint, bone and arthritic problems.

High-quality human-grade orthopedic foam providing deep cushioning and pressure relief on joints. Cotton padded walls designed to instantly contour to the neck and head for optimum comfort.


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Whether you’ve got a large breed with arthritis or several aging smaller dogs, the BarksBar Gray Orthopedic Dog Bed might be the right choice. There’s four inches of solid orthopedic foam that will begin working as soon as your pup lies down on the mattress. Along with a quilted design to add a bit of style, there’s also a cotton-padded rim cushion that your dog can rest his head on for even more support.

Some beds might easily slip and slide if you’ve got wooden or tile floors, but this product includes a rubber non-slip backing to help make sure it stays in place.

When it’s time to clean the bed, you don’t need to take it to the dry-cleaners or spend hours dealing with it. You can remove the outer cover and pop it in the washing machine for a quick and easy clean.

  • Pros
  • Includes four inches of orthopedic foam
  • Comes with cotton-padded bolsters for your dog to rest his head on
  • Rubber non-slip backing prevents it from sliding on slippery surfaces
  • Easy to clean
  • Can support dogs over a hundred pounds
  • Cons
  • Might be too tall for extremely small breeds to use
  • Not as lightweight as some orthopedic beds might be
  • Rubber non-slip backing prevents it from sliding on slippery surfaces
  • Easy to clean
  • Can support dogs over a hundred pounds
RUNNER-UP
Bedsure Orthopedic Pet Sofa Bed

Modern Style With Orthopedic Support.

Give your pal a sofa of its own – the Bedsure Orthopedic Pet Sofa Beds feature a fluffy bolster and wrap-around gusset, orthopedic memory foam base and easy-in slanted entry.

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Your aging pup might not be able to jump up on the couch anymore, but that doesn’t mean they can’t still feel like they’re napping on the sofa. With the Bedsure Orthopedic Pet Sofa Bed, your pup will have a comfy spot to unwind after a long, tiring day.

This memory foam mattress can support dogs up to a hundred pounds, and it works to provide better support by bolstering your pup’s head and body with its cushioned supports. Small breeds shouldn’t have too much trouble getting onto this bed, and the bolstered supports will make your pup feel like they’re resting in a comfy nest.

If you’re worried about potential stains or spills, there’s no need for concern. This bed includes a zippered outer cover that protects from stains. If your dog has an accident, you can always remove the cover and give it a quick wash.

  • Pros
  • Includes cushioned support for your dog to rest on
  • Made with memory foam
  • Comes with an outer cover to help you protect against potential stains and damage
  • Water-resistant liner protects the base of the bed
  • Supports dogs that weigh up to a hundred poundsSofter than regular kibble
  • Cons
  • Might not be the best choice for extremely small breeds
  • Not as lightweight as some beds
  • Comes with an outer cover to help you protect against potential stains and damage
  • Water-resistant liner protects the base of the bed
  • Supports dogs that weigh up to a hundred poundsSofter than regular kibble
ALSO GREAT
Brindle Waterproof Designer Memory Foam Bed

4 inches of Conforming Comfort.

Provide a soft, comfortable and durable place for your best friend to nap.

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Looking for a heavy-duty orthopedic bed that your rowdy pup won’t be able to destroy in a couple of months? If that’s the case, the Brindle Waterproof Designer Memory Foam Bed might be exactly what you need.

There’s two inches of memory foam as well as two inches of high-density support foam to provide your pup with even more relief. When your dog lays down, the bed will automatically conform to his weight and begin working to relieve those troublesome aches and pains.

The fabric cover on the outside of the mattress helps resist stains or other cosmetic damage, but the waterproof encasement beneath that can also make sure that any spills don’t leave lasting damage to the memory foam.

  • Pros
  • Has a fabric cover to protect against spills and accidents
  • The waterproof encasement helps prevent lasting damage to the memory foam
  • Thicker than some other beds might be
  • Durable and long-lasting
  • Comes with a three-year warranty
  • Cons
  • There’s only two inches of memory foam
  • Won’t support dogs more than 75 lbs.
  • Thicker than some other beds might be
  • Durable and long-lasting
  • Comes with a three-year warranty
ALSO GREAT
Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed

Provide your dog a solid night’s sleep with this luxurious, durable orthopedic bed. Made with baby mattress grade memory foam base, it is proven to give your dog exceptional comfort, even for dogs with joint pain and arthritis.

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Your dog’s comfort should always be the number one priority, which is why the Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed tends to be a fan-favorite. The memory foam on this mattress is human-grade and should excel at easing the pains of aching joints. The padded bolsters can add better head and hip support for your pup while they’re napping.

The water-resistant liner can help prevent any lasting damage to the foam if your dog happens to have an accident. If you need to clean the cover, all you need to do is remove it using the zippers and pop it in the washing machine for a simple clean.

If you discover a defect in the product within the first year of owning it, you can always contact the manufacturer. There’s a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you may be eligible for a refund or replacement in specific circumstances.

  • Pros
  • The water-resistant lining helps protect against lasting damage to the memory foam
  • Padded bolsters support the head and hips while your dog sleeps
  • The removable cover is easy to clean
  • Zippers make it easy to remove the cover
  • 1-year limited warranty
  • Cons
  • Might not be the right choice for jumbo breeds
  • Might not hold up as well if your dog has a lot of accidents
  • The removable cover is easy to clean
  • Zippers make it easy to remove the cover
  • 1-year limited warranty
ALSO GREAT
Furhaven Pet Dog Bed

Give your best friend the comfort and orthopedic support they need with a Furhaven Orthopedic Pey Dog Bed. This ergonomically-designed pet bed is contoured to cradle your pet’s body and provide therapeutic back and neck support.

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If your arthritic pup requires a little bit firmer support, the Furhaven Pet Dog Bed might be right up your alley. While the surface of the bed is firm, it easily conforms to your dog’s shape when he lies down. The top of the mattress also has micro-velvet that’s soft to the touch and should feel good against your dog’s coat.

If your dog has an accident and you need to clean the bed, all you have to do is remove the outer layer and put it in the washing machine. From small to jumbo, this bed is also available in a wide array of sizes and colors so that you pick which specifications meet your needs.

  • Pros
  • Firm support
  • Easy to clean
  • Durable and long-lasting
  • The foam contours to your dog’s body
  • Cons
  • Some dogs might prefer a softer bed
  • Only offers limited coverage on manufacturer defects
  • Durable and long-lasting
  • The foam contours to your dog’s body

Table of Contents

What is an Orthopedic Dog Bed?

dog laying down

You’ll probably see the term “orthopedic” pop up quite a bit when we’re talking about the best dog beds for arthritis. Orthopedic beds are usually made with memory foam or similar material, and their focus is to make sure your arthritic dog stays comfortable.

Most of the time, these beds work by eliminating painful pressure points in your dog’s body. Soft dog beds can do the same thing, but they rarely provide enough support to your dog’s spine, which can create more stiffness.

An orthopedic bed will not only eliminate those painful pressure points, but it will also provide the support your dog’s spine needs for a restful, pain-free nap.

Do All Dogs Need an Orthopedic Bed?

dog laying on his back looking front

If orthopedic beds are so beneficial, why don’t all dogs use them? Well, it probably has a little bit to do with the price-tag attached to these beds. They use expensive materials like memory foam that you won’t find in most regular dog beds.

Not to mention, not all dogs may need an orthopedic bed. Most growing puppies and young, vibrant dogs spend more time off their beds than they do on them. They might even enjoy tearing them up or jumping on them when they’re feeling playful. If you’re buying an orthopedic bed for a young, healthy dog, you could end up having to replace it every couple of months.

An aging dog with arthritis, however, is more likely to use their bed for its intended purpose: sleeping. Not only are they less likely to be rowdy, but older dogs will also get the most out of the health benefits of an orthopedic bed.

This isn’t to say you couldn’t buy an orthopedic bed for a younger dog or one that doesn’t have arthritis, but many owners weigh the pros against the cons. If your healthy pup doesn’t have arthritis and they’re only going to turn that orthopedic bed into a chew toy, it might not be worth it to shill out all that cash.

What Should You Look For in a Dog Bed for Arthritis?

dog on the bed

Now that you understand what an orthopedic bed is, here’s a list of features that you (and your dog) would probably find extremely beneficial in one:

Memory Foam

Although not every orthopedic bed uses memory foam, most of them do. You’ve probably heard of memory foam in human beds, but this elastic foam isn’t just for people. Dogs can experience all the same benefits that people experience from memory foam—this includes easing the pain of aching joints and relaxing stiff muscles.

When they use a regular bed, your dog’s joints may feel like they’re walking on pins-and-needles when they try to get up after a long nap. Memory foam shouldn’t cause this type of stiffness for most arthritic dogs.

Thickness

It can vary from bed to bed, but most of the time, the thicker the bed is, the more comfortable it’ll be for your dog. However, if you’re looking at blended foam mattresses that mix memory foam with other materials, you should pay close attention to the memory foam included. A four-inch memory foam mattress would probably be more comfortable for your dog than a seven-inch blended foam mattress.

Another thing to keep in mind is that, while you might want the bed to be thick, you also don’t want your dog to struggle to get on it. Trying to hop up onto a tall bed can be difficult for your aging pup, especially if you’ve got a small breed. When you’re shopping, just don’t forget to think about how tricky it might be for your dog to climb on the bed every time they want to sleep.

Warming Features

While it doesn’t come with every orthopedic bed, one helpful feature that your dog might enjoy is a warming feature. This can include a heated blanket that you need to plug in, but some beds trap your dog’s body heat and keep them toasty throughout their nap as well as soothe aching joints and muscles.

A heated bed or blanket is especially useful if your dog does have severe arthritis, and they regularly struggle to get up after a nap-time.

Liquid/Stain Resistant Material

This won’t affect how well your dog likes their new napping spot, but if you can find a bed that comes with liquid or stain-resistant material, you might be saving yourself a lot of trouble later on. As your dog gets older, they tend to have less control over their bowels, and accidents become more frequent.

The last thing you want is a memory foam bed that your dog likes, but that you can’t get a stain or a stubborn smell out of.

Still Trying To Decide On A Dog Bed For Arthritis?

Dog sleeping

All of these orthopedic beds are capable of supporting your dog and easing his pain, but if we had to pick out the best dog bed for arthritis, our top choice would be the BarksBar Gray Orthopedic Bed.

Unlike some beds, which only contain one or two inches of memory foam, this product contains four inches so that your pup can get as much support as possible. Just because your dog has arthritis doesn’t mean they can’t have a restful sleep, and we believe that any of these top recommendations can provide that.

About Alex Vicente

Dog Lover, Founder & Chief Editor at Paws Insider

I’ve been rescuing dogs since a very early age. I got my first dog when I was 9 years old and I remember how he, out of a litter of 6 puppies, started running towards me. He’d just chosen me. Ever since then, my love for dogs only grows stronger and I want what’s best for them. My mission is to let our readers know about the best products in the market for our best friends, as well as providing guides and tips on how we can take better care of them.