If your fur babies are anything like mine, they spend a LOT of time hanging out at least partially in or on their beds. For some reason, my current two seniors find it most comfortable to lay in their beds with at least part of their bodies (think head or butt) off the bed and on the hard floor. After all these years, I still do not understand why they do this. My late, great miniature dachshund Chilly always seemed to find a way to fall asleep with her head hanging off her bed in some strange position on the floor…even at the age of 20.
Lounging around in bed tends to be even more pronounced with senior fur babies as they usually enjoy extended time where they feel most comfortable. Senior pets spend more time in their bed for several reasons. First, they require a bit more comfort and padding as their bodies age and they lose some of their natural cushioning. A comfortable pet bed can serve to ease senior pet discomforts. Second, senior pets have a need to feel secure. A pet bed designed to cradle or conform to your senior pet might just be the next best thing to being held or cradled by you! Finally, many senior pets just want to relax and sleep. Much like when you pick out a mattress, there may be qualities you want in your pet bed. Maybe your senior pet has arthritis and needs a firm filling to not sink into and get stuck. Maybe your senior has skin issues and needs a fabric that won’t irritate hot spots. Maybe all that matters is your senior has the plushest bed on the market!
While there are many options for your senior pet, one of the most versatile pet bed styles available is the donut bed. Some donut beds are all about soft comfort, some are orthopedic in nature and others have natural cooling abilities. Let’s explore several options for your senior pet!
Orthopedic Donut
An orthopedic donut bed may be just the ticket for the senior pet with joint or general body pain. This is our orthopedic bed of choice as it has several features that make it ideal for our senior fur babies. First, it has a non-skid, non-slip bottom, making it easier for your senior to get in and out of the bed without it moving around on slippery surfaces. Though it is preferable to hand wash your pet’s bed, this bed is machine washable and that is particularly important as your pet ages and makes messes a little more frequently. Lastly, this bed is designed to support your pet in a way that provides the ultimate in support without sacrificing comfort.
Plush Donut
For some of you, your senior pet just needs the plushest, softest and furriest donut bed on the market. This is the donut bed we use for our larger senior and, when she’s not sitting on the couch, this is her favorite thing to sit on. A plush bed is great for senior pets as it provides a warm sense of security, with plenty of room to move without restriction. Also, this bed has a larger outer rim to allow larger breeds to ergonomically rest their heads without discomfort. The best part about this dog donut is that it is “self-warming.” This means that, as your senior lays in the bed, the heat from your pet will slowly raise the temperature of the fibers. This donut is particularly good for cooler climates and the winter season.
Memory Foam Donut
Our living room has hardwood floors and we have found that the best donut style bed is a small sized memory foam mattress. It seems to do the best of cushioning against hard floors and doesn’t collapse, keeping your senior pet physically off the hard floor. The memory foam model we use is a “3/4” donut shape in that it has a raised rim around three sides of the bed and a little bit of the front as well. This bed, while not exactly a traditional donut bed, makes our list as it is THE BEST memory foam bed available. It is made to the same standard as the mattress you might sleep on and, as a bonus, the mattress cover is removable and can be washed in your washing machine. This last bit of info is important as you can use a mattress protector to line the foam mattress before putting the mattress cover back on, minimizing stains in the foam. This bed also comes with a non-slip bottom. Another major benefit of this bed for your senior is its ability to conform to your pet’s shape. This gentle cradling is just the sort of feeling many senior pets need and is a great option when you can’t hold your fur baby.
All Around Donut
For those that need an all-around awesome bed, try a micro suede donut bed. We have had micro suede couches for many years and the fabric does an amazing job of being stain and spill proof. The same can be said for our recommendation for this all around donut. Also made of micro suede, this model has a waterproof base fabric that seals in any leaks or accidents your senior might have. This technology eliminates the need for a bed liner. Add in that this bed is machine washable and multiple sizes for you to choose from and is a donut your senior will love! Keep in mind that micro suede is a good choice for pets with skin problems as its smoothness will not scratch against skin and it tends to remain relatively cool to the touch.
As each senior pet is unique, it is important to understand that there is no “one size fits all” pet bed. Senior pets have specific life needs and choosing the correct donut bed goes a long way to improving the well-being of your senior pet! Let us know in the comments if you found this helpful or if you have any questions! We are more than happy to provide additional donut bed suggestions!