Best Dog Bed for Senior Dogs and Arthritis: What Helps and 4 Picks

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Learn more

This page is for owners of older dogs that are slower to get up, stiff after a nap or starting to avoid the stairs. It explains what veterinary sources say a senior or arthritic dog needs from a bed, how thick the foam should be, when a low bed beats a thick one, and which orthopedic beds from our catalog fit which kind of dog.

The short answer: for most senior dogs with sore joints, choose a thick, firm foam mattress that does not flatten, sized so your dog can stretch out fully, with a washable cover and a waterproof liner. The Big Barker 7″ Headrest and the Bully Beds Original are the long-warranty choices for large dogs. The KOPEKS Orthopedic Memory Foam bed adds a pillow and a liner in the box. If climbing onto a thick bed is already hard, the low Furhaven Orthopedic L-Chaise is easier to step onto.

How we chose: picks are based on brand specs, the product pages of the brands that make them and what named reviewers and veterinary sources say. We have not tested these beds ourselves. A bed makes a sore dog more comfortable; it does not treat arthritis, so talk to your vet about pain.

What a senior or arthritic dog needs from a bed

Arthritis is common in older dogs, and comfort at home is part of managing it. VCA Animal Hospitals lists soft, padded bedding among the simple changes that help an arthritic dog, along with non-slip floors. The Canine Arthritis Resources and Education project (CARE) recommends supportive bedding such as memory foam, placed in a warm spot away from drafts. The UK group Canine Arthritis Management sums it up well: the bed should be supportive and conforming, easy to get onto without tripping, and roomy enough that the dog can change position without effort.

Support: foam that does not bottom out

A sore hip or elbow should not sink through to the floor. Solid foam, rather than loose polyester fill, keeps its shape and spreads weight. Memory foam molds to the body, while firmer support foam underneath stops a heavy dog from sinking. Many orthopedic beds combine the two. The weak point of every foam bed is flattening over time, which is why the length and terms of the no-flatten warranty are worth comparing.

Thickness: match it to the dog’s weight

Heavier dogs compress foam more, so large and giant breeds need thicker beds. The large-dog picks below all use about 7 inches of foam. Small and light dogs do well on less, and Bully Beds itself makes its Medium size 4 inches thick.

Easy to get on and off

A thick bed is also a step up. For a dog that already struggles to rise, a lower bed with a shallow front edge can be the better choice. Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center advises non-slip rugs and ramps for getting onto beds, couches and cars, and VCA suggests steps or a ramp up to a favorite resting spot. Do not ask an arthritic dog to jump onto your bed or sofa if a floor bed will do.

Non-slip, warm and in the right place

Slipping on a hard floor while getting up is a real problem for a stiff dog. Look for a non-skid base, and put a rug or mat under and around the bed, as CARE and VCA both suggest. Keep the bed out of drafts and close to where the family spends time, so your dog does not have to cross slick floors or stairs to rest near you.

Washable cover and a waterproof liner

Some older dogs leak urine, and foam that gets wet is hard to clean and breaks down faster. A removable, machine-washable cover plus a waterproof liner around the foam protects the core. Check whether the liner comes with the bed or is sold separately.

Bolsters: helpful for some dogs

Raised edges give a dog something to rest its head and back against, and many seniors like that. Bolsters can also get in the way of a dog that needs to walk straight on and lie flat, so a flat mattress or a bed with an open side is often easier for very stiff or large dogs.

Our picks for senior dogs and arthritis

Big Barker 7″ Headrest Edition Orthopedic Dog Bed

The choice for big dogs that need the bed to last. It has 7 inches of CertiPUR-US certified foam in every size, a raised headrest along one side and a 10-year “No Flatten” warranty: if the foam loses more than 10% of its shape, the bed is replaced (Big Barker). The beds are made in the USA. The cover is machine washable and water resistant, not waterproof, so add a liner for a dog that leaks. Vetstreet lists it among its best orthopedic dog beds.

Bully Beds Original Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Bed

A flat, open mattress with no bolsters, which makes it easy for a large senior dog to walk onto and stretch out. It uses 4.5 lb density memory and support foam, CertiPUR-US certified, 7 inches thick in Large, XL and XXL, and comes with a breathable internal waterproof cover, a machine-washable outer cover and a non-slip base (Bully Beds). The brand backs it with a 20-year no-flat guarantee, the longest here. Reviews at iHeartDogs and Canine Bible cover it for large and older dogs.

KOPEKS Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Bed with Pillow

The most complete package. It has about 7 inches of foam: a 2-inch layer of memory foam over 5 inches of high-resilience support foam, plus a built-in pillow about 2.5 inches thick (KOPEKS). A removable waterproof inner liner is included, the outer cover is machine washable, and the base is non-skid. The 12-month limited warranty covers abnormal foam collapse under normal use, but not chewing. iHeartDogs reviewed it in depth. With the pillow, it is a tall bed, so it suits dogs that can still step up comfortably.

Furhaven Two-Tone Deluxe L-Chaise Orthopedic Dog Bed

The low-entry choice for medium dogs and dogs that find a thick mattress hard to climb onto. The sleep surface is 3 inches high on the Medium and Large and up to 5 inches on the biggest size. L-shaped bolsters on two sides support the back and hips and give the head a place to rest, while the open sides let the dog walk straight on (Furhaven). The standard core is egg-crate orthopedic foam, and Furhaven also offers memory foam and cooling gel tops. The cover zips off for the washing machine, but the bolsters should not be washed, and a waterproof liner is sold separately. iHeartDogs reviewed the orthopedic chaise.

How to choose between them

• Large or giant dog, can still step up: Big Barker or Bully Beds, for thick foam and long no-flatten warranties.
• Dog that leaks or a household that wants everything in one box: KOPEKS, with its liner included, or Bully Beds, with its internal waterproof cover.
• Dog that loves a pillow or a headrest: KOPEKS or Big Barker.
• Medium dog, or a dog that struggles to lift its legs: the low Furhaven chaise.

Measure your dog lying fully stretched out, from nose to the base of the tail, and add a few inches. A senior dog should not have to curl up because the bed is too small.

Mistakes to avoid

• Buying a thin fiber-filled bed that flattens to nothing under a heavy dog.
• Choosing a bed so tall or heavily bolstered that a stiff dog avoids it.
• Putting the bed on a slippery floor with nothing to grip when getting up.
• Skipping a waterproof liner for a dog that has started to leak.
• Treating a new bed as the answer to pain. Limping, stiffness and reluctance to move are reasons to see your vet.

FAQ

What type of bed is best for a senior dog with arthritis?

A supportive, conforming foam bed that is easy to get onto, with room to stretch out and a non-slip base. Veterinary and arthritis groups such as VCA and CARE recommend soft, padded or memory foam bedding in a warm, draft-free spot.

Is memory foam or orthopedic foam better for dogs with arthritis?

Both can work, and many beds combine them: a memory foam top that molds to the body over a firmer support foam base. What matters most is that the foam is thick and dense enough that your dog does not sink to the floor.

Should an older dog’s bed be raised or low to the ground?

For a dog with stiff joints, a bed on the floor with a low entry is usually easier. If your dog likes to rest on furniture, Cornell and VCA suggest steps or a ramp instead of jumping.

How thick should an orthopedic dog bed be?

It depends on weight. Large and giant dogs generally need about 7 inches of foam so they do not bottom out, while small dogs do well on less. Balance thickness against how easily your dog can step up.

Do bolster beds help dogs with arthritis?

Bolsters give support to lean against and a place for the head, which many seniors like. A bed with at least one open side is easier to walk onto for a dog that has trouble lifting its legs.

For crates, cooling beds, chew-proof beds and more, read our dog beds and crates buying guide, or see all beds and crates.