Memory Foam Dog Beds

Are you considering memory foam dog beds? These beds are comfortable for dogs, especially senior dogs and dogs with certain health conditions. Learn more about the benefits of using this special foam.

Memory foam beds for dogs provide all of the comfort and support of the memory foam mattresses for people. Many orthopedic dog beds are made out of this special foam because of the flexibility, softness and body support benefits of the material.

Memory foam is a polyurethane mixture also known as visco-elastic polyurethane foam that allows it to react to temperature change. A team of scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center developed the first form of this foam in 1966 for aircrafts in the space program. One of the NASA scientists, Charles A. Yost, named the foam temper foam because of its sensitivity to temperature change. The foam is firmer when cool and softens in reaction to body heat, allowing it to mold to a person's body. However, temper foam was never used in space because it was not compatible with the space program needs.

Recognizing the potential of temper foam, Yost founded Dynamic Systems Inc. and worked with NASA to make a commercial form of the foam available for medical and sports equipment use.

By 1980, NASA made the foam available for public use. Fagerdala World Foams created the first memory foam mattress for people, called Tempur-Pedic Swedish Mattress in 1991.

Today, this foam is much more affordable, and many companies produce memory foam products for people and animals. One of the most popular animal orthopedic products is a dog bed made of temper foam.

There are many benefits associated with using these beds for dogs. The beds are soft and comfortable. Many senior dogs or dogs with health problems such as arthritis find the foam beds comforting.

Benefits of these beds include:

• The foam cushions joints and bones, reduces pressure on joints and helps relieve muscle and joint pain.
• The foam can contour to a dog's hips and joints, and this provides comfort.
• The foam beds help improve blood circulation.
• The foam helps distribute the dog's weight evenly, providing optimal comfort for a restful sleep.
• The bed's supportive structure keeps a dog's spine straight and prevents contorting.
• The foam bed may prevent a dog from tossing and turning that could disrupt sleep or cause injury.
• These foam beds help dogs who suffer from hip dysplasia.
• Different levels of memory foam offer varying degrees of softness and support.
• The foam is a breathable material that can keep a dog warmer in the cold weather and cooler in hot weather.

Memory foam beds are a good choice for any dog because of the many health benefits. These type of beds are generally recommended as orthopedic beds for senior dogs or dogs with orthopedic concerns. However, these foam beds are also a good choice for active dogs such as working or service dogs, who may have sore muscles.

The beds are also generally very durable and easy to care for. Dogs beds can last for years and can be easily hand washed or machine washed. Some beds can be machine dried on a low setting, but most should be air dried.

Beds made out of this foam are appropriate for an adult dog of any age or health condition. However, the soft material may not be a good choice for a teething puppy or an adult dog who likes to chew furniture or toys.

Some critics of these foam products claim that the chemical odor of the foam may cause respiratory ailments. However, this foam is also more resistant to dust mites and mildew than regular mattresses, and this makes them a better mattress choice for an animal with respiratory problems.

Doctors Foster and Smith's popular Deluxe Orthopedic Pad comes in four sizes and three different cover styles to suit dogs of all sizes. The pad features memory foam, which the manufacturer calls orthopedic foam and is four inches thick. The cover styles are all twill, twill with fleece or twill with lamb's wool. The manufacturer also sells an optional waterproof liner for the bed separately.

The Tempur-Pedic Pet Bed features the famous Tempur-Pedic foam version of memory foam and comes in three sizes - small, medium or large. The bed is shaped like a pad or pet-sized mattress. It comes with a beige MicroSuede cover that is waterproof and stain resistant and has an anti-skid bottom.

The K & H Memory Sleeper comes in three sizes with either a beige or sage fleece-type cover. The pad is 3.75 inches thick. A reviewer mentioned that her dog's elbows have improved and the bed also fits in her car and prevents her dog from getting car sick.

Memory foam beds for dogs range in price from about $80.00 to $300.00, depending on the brand and bed size. The Internet is a good place to find money-saving deals.

The following websites sell these foam beds for dogs:

• Pets Mart
• LL Bean
• Tempur-Pedic
• Doctors Foster and Smith
• Amazon

Memory foam dog beds provide many health benefits for dogs. These types of beds are beneficial to a dog at any life stage or health condition. Dog owners who are searching for beds to make an older dog more comfortable or for a comfortable bed that a dog can use for years, should consider this product.

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