Orthopaedic Dog Beds for Small Dogs

Ideal for small dogs with arthritis and other joint issues 

Key Features

• Designed with easy access for smaller dogs (less than 15kgs)
• A pressure relief surface that is based on NHS hospital mattresses
  
• Avoids pressure on sensitive areas and provides improved sleep quality
• Two cushion styles

Ideal for dogs with:

• arthritis,
• hip dysplasia,
• elbow dysplasia,
• other orthopaedic or neurological conditions,
• on extended crate rest following surgery.

Our pressure relief Active Recovery® bed design has a strong pedigree. It is based on bed construction used in medical environments, including NHS hospitals, to prevent the development of pressure sores. (The last photo above shows a hospital mattress.)

The design ensures an even distribution of weight across your dog’s body. Pressure on sensitive, inflamed areas is minimised, resulting in a reduction in muscle tension, greater comfort and improved sleep quality. This has been tested using pressure mapping.

Our Active Recovery Lite cushions are specifically designed for smaller dogs - those of 15kgs or less. The cushions are 8 cm deep and comprise 5 cm of castellated foam for pressure relief and 3 cm high density upholstery foam for support.  Castellated means cut into small squares with narrow channels between. You can choose from a castellated memory foam, or a non-memory foam version if your dog feels the heat. Memory foam retains heat so some heavy coated dogs get too warm on it.

Small dogs with compromised mobility should not be expected to have to jump or clamber onto a deep bed. Getting off a deep bed is also to be avoided since it involves impact on the front legs - paws, wrists, elbows and shoulders. 

So, it is hard to say what makes a bed orthopaedic, both for people and dogs. The use of memory foam does not make a bed 'orthopaedic'. Some people with orthopaedic conditions like a firm bed, others like a soft one. This bed effectively combines both by having a high density foam base layer for support and the pressure relief top surface.

The castellated bed structure of the Active Recovery® Bed allows the individual foam squares to move in direct response to the amount of pressure applied. This allows differential movement of the foam elements, ensuring an even distribution of pressure, thereby minimising loading to any one area. The dog lies in a neutral position, reducing tension in muscles while the even spread of pressure will help reduce joint inflammation and the associated pain and stiffness. All this makes the bed ideal for dogs with joint issues and arthritis.

There are fours sizes of Active Recovery® Lite. Make sure you select a size big enough for your dog to stretch out properly, even if they like to curl.

• ARLite Mini - 80 x 60 x 8cm  (31.5 x 23.5 inches)
• ARLite K90 -  90 x 60 x 8cm  (35.5 x 23.5 inches)
• ARLite K120 - 120 x 60 x 8cm 47 x 23.5 inches)
• ARLite Med - 105 x 75 x 8cm (41.5 x 29.5 inches)

If your dog weights more than 15kgs, you should choose a bed from this range here.

You can also order it in a bespoke size on the Bespoke dog bed page.

For dogs that frequently have accidents in their bed, a fully waterproof cover with welded seams is the best option. Tale a look at the Incontinence Beds for Dogs page.