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Like humans, a dog with insufficient sleep may exhibit a bad mood and have diminished memory and concentration. Sleep deprivation is a possible diagnosis for your dog if he appears grumpy, confused, forgetful, or unable to concentrate.
Although senior dogs get tired more easily than when they were younger, they have more difficulty falling asleep. However, they tend to sleep for longer when they fall asleep.
Disruptive factors such as stress, noise, and light can make it difficult for senior dogs to achieve maximum rest.
The best thing any dog owner can do to ensure their senior dogs get their full hours of sleep is to provide them with a safe, quiet space and beds for older dogs.
When your senior friend spends more time in his bed, you want to ensure he is happy and comfortable. There are many types of dog beds available on the market.
When choosing a bed for your dog, there are a few key things to consider, including where you will place the bed in your home.
Support
As an owner of a senior dog, one of the most important things you need to consider when buying a dog bed is whether it has enough support. A soft bed may seem comfortable, but a senior dog with joint problems should not sink into it.
In contrast, a firmer dog bed is ideal for your senior dog’s joints as it provides greater support, making it easier for him to get in and out of.
The filling in your dog’s bed shouldn’t be easy to move around; otherwise, the filling will be pushed around your dog rather than under him, or it will clump with use.
The bed should be able to adjust to all of his bed positions, not just his preferred one. If the mattress doesn’t spring back, he may be forced to wake up every time he wants to move in order to readjust the bed.
Orthopedic beds are made to support your dog’s joints and keep his back comfortable. Many dog beds are made with memory foam–soft enough to relax on but firm enough to not sink into the floor.
Memory foam is also resistant to permanently conforming to your dog’s shape, so it won’t deform with prolonged use.
While you’re shopping for dog beds, try pressing your hand into the cushion to test it out. If the floor can be felt through the filling, or the filling appears to move around freely when you push on it, your dog is likely to be uncomfortable in the bed.
Temperature
Another common sleep disruptor is temperature, and it’s often because your dog gets too warm. Some materials are known to lack thermal insulation properties, which can make them uncomfortable.
Fleece and wool are more likely to retain heat, making your dog feel warmer than it is.
A bed made with materials that don’t hold much heat–thermoneutral materials–will give your dog better sleep.
Cotton, and other fabrics, are a better choice as they are lighter and tend to breathe better than heavier ones, which means they won’t hold on to your dog’s body heat as much.
A waterproof, washable cover is also a great idea for a senior dog who is likely to have bladder issues or pees accidentally in his bed.
Are you worried that memory foam might be too warm for your senior dog, even with the help of a breathable dog bed cover? Memory foam with a gel-infused layer offers great support and a cooling effect.
Accessibility
Elderly dogs often have stiff joints in the morning, so even lifting their legs can be painful.
A simple solution is to provide your senior dog with a bed that is low to the ground with no walls or railings. These will ensure that he won’t have to step up, down, and over in order to settle in or out of his bed.
If your senior dog likes to lean against the walls of the bed, there are some dog beds that have walls on only one side, which allows your senior dog to lean against them, but keeps the other side open for easy access.
Location
Having multiple dog beds in different areas of your house is a smart idea.
Although laundry rooms might seem like a cozy place for a dog bed, remember that washing machines are loud and could disrupt your senior dog’s sleep.
The ground floor is ideal for a dog bed if you have a two-story house because he doesn’t have to go up the stairs when he’s tired. If the dog bed is too difficult to access, your senior dog may end up not using it.
The Takeaway
When choosing a dog bed, there are many things to consider. It is important to do your research and choose a bed that meets your senior dog’s needs. Surely, nothing is more important for your senior dog than getting a good night’s rest.