Memory foam is one of the most supportive sleeping surfaces, for both humans and dogs! This means it can relieve pain, prevent stiffness and provide a deeper rest. But which are the best memory foam dog beds?
Given that most humans spend about 1/3 of their life sleeping, the importance of a good mattress is hard to overstate. It can make all the difference between waking refreshed each morning and watching the early-morning mattress commercials while guzzling eight gallons of coffee in an effort to open your eyes.
So, show a little compassion for your pooch, most dogs sleep for about half their life, maybe even a bit more. If a good mattress is important to you, it is absolutely vital for your pup.
There are a variety of different types of dog beds available, made with a few different types of fill materials. Some of the most popular beds feature a special type of fill material, called memory foam.
While memory foam technology has been available for a long time, it has traditionally been expensive. This meant it was usually only bought by rich people or those with health problems.
Fortunately, the cost has dropped in recent years. This is fantastic news for dog owners (and their doggy companions), as there are now many memory foam dog beds that provide great comfort at a reasonable price.
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How do you know if your dog really needs a memory foam bed though?
If your pet suffers with joint pain, muscle pain or just general stiffness, he’ll almost certainly benefit from this type of bed. Memory foam is an orthopedic material that moulds to the weight and shape of your pet, so it supports the entire body without causing pressure points. This means your dog will be much more comfortable when resting.
This type of bed isn’t just for dogs that need orthopedic support though. Most dogs (and humans) love the feel of memory foam, as it supports the body in whatever position your pup decides to sleep. So if your dog often seems restless or unable to settle on his current bed, an upgrade could make a big difference.
There are a few downsides though. It can be a hot material to sleep on, so it may not be a good choice for dogs that overheat (gel-infused foam can reduce this issue). The material is also pricier than cheaper dog beds, although it still provides great value.
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Which Dogs Benefit Most from Memory Foam?
Memory foam is a pretty good bed material for most dogs, but some benefit more from it than others. Give extra consideration to purchasing a memory foam dog bed if your dog falls into any of the following categories:
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- Elderly Dogs – Older dogs often have health problems and the typical aches and pains that come with age. A memory foam mattress can help cradle your geriatric pooch’s body and give her a more comfortable night of sleep.
- Overweight Dogs – You may think that your pup’s extra padding alleviates the need for a particularly good mattress, but that is not the case. In actuality, overweight dogs benefit from the comfort provided by a memory foam mattress.
- Dogs with Joint or Skeletal Issues – Memory foam mattresses are especially helpful for dogs that suffer from hip, knee, spine or elbow problems. The body-conforming nature of the memory foam helps to cradle them and keep the pressure off of their painful joints.
- Dogs Battling Long-Term Illness – Dogs who spend a lot of their time lying down must have a comfortable bed to avoid the development of pressure wounds or bed sores. A memory foam bed can help prevent these types of problems.
In actuality, almost any dog will benefit from a memory foam mattress, and you can certainly try out one for your pup. The only major exception is for those dogs who like to “nest” while sleeping. These dogs are often more comfortable with a poly-fill bed or a specialized nesting dog bed, which they can shape a little more easily.
What You Need to Know Before You Buy
Memory foam responds to the heat of your dog’s body. As it heats up, the foam molds around the shape and weight of your pet. Once the dog leaves the bed, the foam cools and returns to its original position.
That’s how it works in theory, at least! In reality, the ability of the foam to support your dog and repeatedly return to its original shape depends on its quality. Here are some factors to make sure you’re getting a high-quality bed.
- Foam Density. Denser foam is more supportive for your dog and less likely to sag over time. You don’t want it to be too dense though, especially for smaller breeds, as this won’t allow the foam to mold into a supportive shape.
- Thickness. It’s vital the bed is thick enough to support your dog. Smaller and lighter breeds may not need much depth, but heavier dogs require a dense and thick bed. If a bed is too thin, your pet may sink through and touch the floor.
- Construction. Some manufacturers use a single slab of foam, while others combine it with layers of support foam. There’s nothing wrong with a multi-layer bed (although it may be less durable), but make sure you know how much memory foam is included. Anything less than 2″ is unlikely to provide the same benefits as a true memory foam ed – and bigger dogs may need even more.
- Washing and Protection. It’s important to make sure a bed’s foam it’s protected. Some come with inner waterproof liners, which are essential if your dog is incontinent or not house trained. Foam also can’t be washed, so an easy-to-remove and washable outer cover is vital.
- Shredded or Whole Foam. Some manufacturers sell memory foam beds that contain shredded foam instead of slabs. While these beds can be comfortable, they don’t provide the same level of support, so I recommend solid foam for dogs with joint problems.
- Size and Shape. The bed should be big enough for your dog to lay comfortably in any position – but with a focus on his favorite position. If he likes to curl against something when sleeping, get a bed with bolsters. If he likes to stretch out, a simple rectangle bed is the best choice.
- Gel-Infused Vs. Regular. Most memory foam dog beds are made entirely from a viscoelastic material. This provides great support, but can be hot to sleep on. Gel-infused memory foam dog beds can prevent this issue as they offer greater air circulation. If your dog often overheats, gel is a good choice.
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If you’re not sure whether memory foam is the right choice for your pet, check out our best beds for dogs or puppies. It provides an in-depth look at the different types of bed to help you make the right choice.
Best 5 Product Reviews Of Memory Foam Dog Beds
1 Dogbed4less Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Bed
The DogBed4Less is an excellent rectangular bed – and my top pick for a memory foam dog bed. With 4″ solid memory foam supporting your dog’s joints, he’ll feel much more comfortable and less sore after sleeping. It’s also available in 7 sizes, ranging from small to extra large for big dogs, so there’s almost certainly one that’s perfect for your pet.
One of the great features of the DogBed4Less is that it comes with two covers. The external cover has a zipper for easy removal and can be machine washed. There is also an inner liner to protect the foam if your dog has an accident.
Unlike some of the other beds on this list, it is built with 4″ solid memory foam. The foam is high density to provide support for dogs of almost any weight. It may start to sag after a few years, but is durable enough to last a reasonable length of time. There is also a 2-year warranty for the foam – although the liner and cover aren’t covered.
Considering the price and great support, the DogBed4Less is a bargain if you’re looking for the best memory foam dog bed. The only situation I wouldn’t recommend it for is if your dog loves to snuggle against a bolster.
Quick Summary: The DogBed4Less Orthopedic is an excellent dog bed. If your pet has joint pain, he’ll love the soft support provided by the bed. Even healthy dogs love sleeping on it though.
[wc_row] [wc_column size=”one-half” position=”first”]Pros
- Great support from the solid foam
- Comes with two covers including a waterproof liner to protect the mattress
- External cover is machine washable
Cons
- Only a 2-year foam guarantee
2Brindle 4 Inch Solid Memory Foam Orthopedic Dog Bed
Another great dog bed is the Brindle 4″. It’s a high-quality bed that’s available for a reasonable price – plus it comes with a 3-year limited warranty for extra peace of mind.
Starting with the interior construction, the Brindle is built with 2″ of memory foam and 2″ of high density support foam7. This means it provides great support for small or medium breeds, although the 2″ memory foam might be too thin to provide optimum support for larger dogs.
Unlike some of the other beds on this list, the Brindle comes with a 100% waterproof cover. This protects the memory foam mattress against accidents – making it one of the best choices if your dog is incontinent or not fully house trained.
I like that the bed comes with a soft velour cover, as this increases its comfort. The cover also has a zip, so it’s easy to remove and can be machine washed.
There are only three sizes available, with the biggest suitable for dogs of up to 75lbs. If your dog is larger than this, I recommend looking at one of the other options.
Quick Summary: The Brindle is a great choice if you want a comfortable orthopedic bed with a fully waterproof cover. The extra soft cover also makes it one of the more luxurious beds for your dog to sleep on – although it’s not suitable for the heaviest breeds.
[wc_row] [wc_column size=”one-half” position=”first”]Pros
- Case is 100% waterproof to protect the mattress
- Great support for small or medium dog breeds
- Soft cover for optimum comfort
Cons
- 2″ memory foam layer isn’t thick enough to support the biggest breeds
3 PetFusion Ultimate Pet Bed & Lounge in Premium Edition with Solid Memory Foam
For dogs that love to snuggle when sleeping, the PetFusion is probably the best memory foam dog bed. With a solid 4″ memory foam base providing outstanding support, and filled bolsters acting as a pillow or wall, it offers a comfortable sleep for almost any dog.
The PetFusion Ultimate has appeared on several of our “Best Beds” lists due to its high-quality construction. It’s also available in four sizes, with the largest being suitable for dogs of up to 200lbs. Most importantly, the base provides excellent support and a comfortable place to sleep.
The cover is easy to remove and it also has a non-slip bottom surface. Like the Milliard Premium, the cover is designed to be waterproof, although it probably won’t completely protect the mattress should your dog have an accident.
When buying a bed with bolsters, remember the actual sleeping surface is smaller than the dimensions of the bed. For this reason, you may need to choose a slightly larger bed than when buying a rectangular alternative. Fortunately, the PetFusion is available in several sizes, so whether you have a Chihuahua, Labrador or an even bigger breed, there’s probably a suitable option.
Quick Summary: While the PetFusion is one of the most expensive options on this list, I think it provides great value – and is also the best memory foam bolster dog bed. Dogs love the combination of supportive base and stuffed bolsters, plus it’s available in four sizes to suit almost any breed.
[wc_row] [wc_column size=”one-half” position=”first”]Pros
- Great for dogs that like to snuggle
- Solid foam provides firm-yet-comfortable support
- Machine washable cover
Cons
- No internal waterproof liner
4 Milliard Premium Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Bed
Another excellent rectangular memory foam dog bed is the Milliard Premium. Unlike the DogBed4Less, it’s made from a 2″ layer of memory foam and 2″ layer of support. It still provides great support for your dog’s joints though – and the layered design keeps the cost down.
One of the great things about the Milliard is that it’s manufactured with high-quality 3-pound density memory foam. This prevents the mattress flattening over time. It only comes with a single cover, but this is designed to be both washable and waterproof (TPU coating) to protect the mattress. While it’s great that the cover provides some protection from accidents, it probably won’t completely protect the mattress should your dog have an accident.
Despite the high-quality construction, the Milliard is the cheapest memory foam dog bed on this list. If you don’t want to pay extra for the DogBed4Less, this is a great alternative that your dog will love.
Quick Summary: The Milliard Premium is a cheaper alternative to the DogBed4Less. It only has 2″ of memory foam, so it’s probably not as supportive for giant dogs, but for small or medium breeds it provides great support.
[wc_row] [wc_column size=”one-half” position=”first”]Pros
- Great quality considering the low price
- Comfortable support for your dog’s joints
- Removable cover
Cons
- Waterproof cover may not provide complete protection
- 2″ memory foam not as supportive for heavy dogs
5 Brentwood 4-Inch Gel Memory Foam Orthopedic Dog Bed
The final product on this list is also the only gel-infused memory foam dog bed I’ve included. Gel foam increases air circulation to prevent your dog becoming too hot, so it’s a better option for long-haired breeds.
The Brentwood 4″ isn’t suitable for the largest dogs, but for small or medium breeds that often overheat it’s a great choice. The bed is made from 2″ gel-infused memory foam and 2″ support foam, along with a soft cover and a waterproof liner. As you would expect, the cover is simple to remove and can be machine washed.
Despite the gel-infused foam, the Brentwood has some drawbacks which is why it’s #5 on this list. The biggest is that the quality of the bed isn’t as high, which means it’s less durable and more likely to be destroyed if your dog is a chewer. Even so, for medium-size breeds that don’t chew and that often overheat, it’s a good option.
Quick Summary: The Brentwood is my top recommendation if you want a memory foam mattress that also keeps your dog cool. It’s not the most durable or high-quality bed on this list, but it’s still a comfortable option that most dogs will love.
[wc_row] [wc_column size=”one-half” position=”first”]Pros
- Gel-infused foam to keep your dog cool
- Comfortable support for joints
- Machine-washable cover
Cons
- Not durable enough to withstand chewing
Summary
Memory foam dog beds are a great choice if your dog suffers from joint pain or arthritis. They aren’t just for medical purposes though – healthy dogs also love the supportive surface that molds to their body position.
My top recommendation is the DogBed4Less Orthopedic. It’s a great bed that’s made from 100% memory foam, so it provides excellent support. If your dog likes to snuggle against something when sleeping, the PetFusion is probably the best choice. And if you just want an orthopedic bed but don’t necessarily need memory foam, check out our article on the best orthopedic beds for dogs.
