If you have a dog with hip dysplasia, you know firsthand just how painful this condition can be. And nothing breaks a pet owner’s heart more than seeing their companion in pain.
Keeping your dog comfortable if they’re suffering from hip dysplasia can be a challenge. But one of the best things that you can do for them is investing in an orthopedic dog bed.
In this article, we’ll go over how to choose the best dog bed for hip dysplasia. Selecting the right bed can greatly improve your pup’s quality of life.
We’ll also go over the details of canine hip dysplasia so you can fully understand this condition. You’ll also learn how to catch it early if it happens to occur in your dog, so keep reading for information every dog owner needs to know.
Canine hip dysplasia is a common skeletal disorder in dogs. It is characterized by a malformation of the ball and socket of the hip joint.
If the ball and socket do not develop properly, they rub and grind against each other instead of sliding smoothly. The joint does not function properly and thus deteriorates over time, leading to pain and arthritis.
Big dogs are more genetically susceptible to hip laxity, which is a loose fit of the hip joint. Some of the large breeds that are most commonly affected include German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, Saint Bernards, and Labrador Retrievers. Rapid weight gain, obesity, and improper nutrition can also cause hip dysplasia.
Symptoms of hip dysplasia depend on the degree of joint looseness and inflammation. The duration of the disease also plays a significant part in what signs you may notice.
Dogs with hip dysplasia may have difficulty rising or may seem reluctant to run, jump, climb stairs, etc. This is due to hip pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion.
You might also observe your dog limping or “bunny hopping” when running. Other signs include abnormal sitting positions, trouble standing for long periods of time, and cracking or popping sounds from joints.
Fortunately, there are a wide variety of options to help manage the symptoms of canine hip dysplasia. Physical therapy such as swimming or motion exercises are recommended to decrease joint stiffness and strengthen muscles. Weight loss and diet management also help take the stress off your dog’s joints.
One of the best things that you can do to help your dog manage their symptoms is to get them an orthopedic dog bed.
Investing in an orthopedic dog bed is a great way to help your dog manage symptoms of hip dysplasia.
This disease doesn’t affect the hip joint alone. Your dog overcompensates for the pain and lack of function.
That means that hip dysplasia takes a toll on your dog’s entire body. Their other joints begin to ache and their muscles get fatigued.
Orthopedic dog beds relieve the pressure point on your dog’s joints. Good ones are made of memory foam that is specifically designed to take pressure off the joints.
Memory foam dog beds help dogs the same way it helps humans. It becomes soft enough to mold around a person or dog’s body shape. This provides specialized support to the areas that need it most.
Canine hip dysplasia often leads to a decrease in your dog’s activity levels. That means they’re going to spend a lot more time resting in bed.
