"Natalie Rigertas" wrote in message
...
RedFox wrote:

Many thanks to all for the great ideas. Now I know what to look for :-)

RF


CHeck out www.doctorsfostersmith.com and look at their orthopedic/old dog
matress. It has the egg crate foam on top. You can almost always get the
beds cheaper elsewhere, but it might give you some ideas.


Thanks Natalie.

Costco just started stocking a dense foam bed with an egg crate top. Overall
I would describe it as moderately firm.

I bought one (about $20) and the dog didn't like it at first. He would spend
about 5-15 mins and then get up and lie down on a hard floor. He seems to be
getting used to it now (two weeks on) and is using it more and more. I
think getting up is the major problem.

It wouldn't be a difficult test to learn what a dysplastic dog likes best -
by giving it a choice of beds and watching what it chooses. .Presumably what
a dog likes best would be best for it's hips. Has anyone heard of a study
like this?

TIA

RF

"
It wouldn't be a difficult test to learn what a dysplastic dog likes
best -
by giving it a choice of beds and watching what it chooses. .Presumably
what
a dog likes best would be best for it's hips. Has anyone heard of a study
like this?

TIA

RF



My old dog didn't have hip displasia but arthritis. So results may differ!
He loved to lay on the cold concrete floor of my basement. I bought him
soft beds with warming disks. He still lay on the floor. I tried to
eliminate all other options by confining him to a small space with the bed
so he could FEEL how comfortable it was. As soon as we relocated back to
the wide open space he went back to sleeping on the floor. The vet said it
was not good for him but he didn't really care what she said! I let him
alone and let him sleep where he wanted. It wasn't the best choice
according to the vet, but he seemed more relaxed. Of course he couldn't
walk by himself by morning and I would have to carry him out and set his
back legs up under him for a few steps! So I would have to disagree that
they will choose what is best. I think they choose what they like at the
moment. Like eating, they don't care that the fatty table scraps loaded
with salt and whatever aren't good for them. They eat what tastes GOOD!

Just keep it in mind!

Fran




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