Hi All

I have an older dog with an ulcer to her hock. She has been seen by the vet today and there is no cause for any concern yet. However, I am looking into buying her a new bed to help reduce the risk. Currently she lies on two beds!! However, they are the cushion type and I am wondering if there is a more suitable option. I've looked at orthopaedic beds online - they look uncomfy to me but what do I know! However, I would really appreciate any bed recommendations which may be suitable for her.

Many thanks in advance

for comfort, i dont think that you can beat a Tuffies dog bed. they stay the same shape all the time. I always use a cover on top of mine.

Have a similar problem with one of ours. They have had many types of bedding over the years & all have had there problems - smell, over heating & keeping clean - which sadly I'm fastidious about. Considered orthopaedic beds but the cost put us off, so bought a 4 inch thick double tempur mattress topper off eBay and cut it to fit their baskets. Covered them with water repellent fabric, then a removable poly cotton cover and finally top with a towel which is easy to change. Sounds a lot of work but they have turned out to be the best mattresses, 1/4 of the price of ready made & best of all the dogs like them. Also lots left over for a large mattress to use in the garden. Good luck.

I use Tuffies as well and they are a doddle to keep clean - choose the wipe-clean version.  The stuffing inside is like a tightly folded duvet or futon and is very supportive

I have them in their crates in the utility room and, when the dogs are wet, I give them fleeces or cotton towels on top to absorb the damp.  I also have these beds dotted around the house with cotton covers from Orvis that work like a fitted sheet.  However, towelling cot sheets work just as well but it's wise to dye them a darker colour!

Additionally I do have a memory foam bed form Orvis that all the dogs like but it's no good for damp dogs - it would need a better cover.  A cheaper option would be to buy a piece of cot sized memory foam and use a waterproof mattress cover or just buy a cot mattress as these are usually covered in a water resistant material

Hope this helps :)

With humans with bedsores /ulcers sheepskin is often put under the vunerable areas. Perhaps some vet bed to lie on would be useful as a soft cover

Thanks everyone :)

She has a sheepskin cover already which lies on top of her cushions! She's like the Princess and the Pea :)

I spied the Orvis beds.....£250 for a bed!!!!! I think that's outrageous! Am I being mean?!

I think the problem is the way she lies...she never stretches out even though she has the room. She squishes into a small ball overnight and doesn't seem to move so there is constant pressure on her hocks and elbows.

I will check out all the other ideas so thank you everyone :)

> I spied the Orvis beds.....£250 for a bed!!!!! I think that's outrageous! Am I being mean?!

Tee hee ~ not at all.  I buy mine from the Orvis factory shop in Street and wouldn't dream of paying full price!  I have my full quota of beds really but I still cruise past and check their stock whenever I'm in the neighbourhood...

A memory foam bed might encourage her to sleep differently as they really don't sag at all and are very supportive.

A cheaper option would be to buy a piece of cot sized memory foam and use a waterproof mattress cover or just buy a cot mattress as these are usually covered in a water resistant material

Never thought of a cot mattress, what a good idea. I can now think about replacing the pungent one in the garden! Thanks dogs a babe

You would still need to put a waterproof covering on part of the cot mattress as they are not covered completely nowadays. The top section is left as bare foam so that the baby can breath if face down against it.

> You would still need to put a waterproof covering on part of the cot mattress

No problem, as with the other matress's OH is very handy with a sewing machine!

A cot mattress is a fabby idea isn't it! Apparently, after spending my evening reading about cot mattresses which is definitely NOT my area of expertise, memory foam mattresses are not safe for babies due to the risk of overheating. Tempur mattresses are meant to be the worst! So, a cot mattress should be good in terms of keeping our pups at a nice comfortable temperature :)

Unfortunately, I am not skilled at making covers so am thinking of ways around this! There are options on some sites for waterproof coverings though :) Maybe I could just lay her sheepskin on top of the mattress. Very soon you will not be able to walk around my house for dog beds!! And yet, STILL I have a dog develop a pressure sore! And yes, she is the very dog who is currently up beside me on the sofa on top of a very snuggie fleecey throw!! It's quite upsetting to see all the websites say they are caused by dogs "made" to lie on hard surfaces! That is certainly not the case in this instance!

Thanks again everyone. Very much appreciate people taking the time to reply :)

I am very envious that you have an Orvis factory shop! The beds really do look divine :) Horribly overpriced though! I mentioned it to my partner (perhaps in the hope he would convince me it was a worthwhile investment) and he almost collapsed! Drat! No chance of nudging me towards a purchase then!

Thanks again :)

Stay with Orvis if your four legged friend has health issues.... Tuffies might not be what they seem!!!!!!!!!!!