We did this video as a follow up to our original video product review to discuss the results of our two week long test. This orthopedic dog bed is veterinarian recommended for relief from arthritis and hip displasia, two common conditions faced by older dogs.
We put this dog bed through this test to determine if we would be able to see any improvement in Mackenzie’s overall condition when he wakes from naps. Mackenzie, my 13 year old pug, is challenged by arthritis, which is most apparent when he wakes from extended sleep in his bed.
Find out how this dog bed performed during this testing period and whether or not there was any improvement in Mackenzie’s post-nap condition.
I have been looking to add orthopedic dog beds to our site because they have the potential to improve the quality of life for senior dogs. Older dogs spend a considerable amount of time sleeping so just imagine if during that time the bed could be working to help relieve the discomfort caused by arthritis and other joint problems. In this video review we take a close at the first therapeutic dog bed we are offering on www.DogQuality.com. While still in testing this dog bed looks like a great way to help make our older dogs more comfortable by reducing the pain and stiffness they may be facing.
This orthopedic dog bed by Slumber Pet first caught my attention because it is veterinarian recommended for relief of discomfort caused by arthritis and hip dysplasia – two common conditions faced by older dogs. This unique bed uses memory foam, which does a great job of evenly distributing your dog’s weight, thereby relieving pressure on sore joints. One of the things I love about memory foam is that even though the thickness is more like a mat, the comfort level is the equivalent of a bed 3 times its thickness. It also has a washable cover which is a must-have for any dog owner.
This will be a two part review – the first portion shown here takes a look at the features of this dog bed, while part 2 will summarize a week’s worth of use of the bed by Mackenzie, my 13 year old Pug who suffers from arthritis. My goal is to see if he likes it, uses it and most importantly, to see if there is any improvement in his stiffness, which is at its worse when getting up from a nap.
In this video I show you the largest size of this orthopedic dog bed (47″x29″), which is a perfect size for large breeds or smaller breeds that like their space. There are several sizes of this dog bed so you can choose the perfect fit for your dog.
We are very happy to be offering this dog bed here in Canada. I do however have one disclaimer I must mention before watching – please excuse the butt sniffing.
Ann-Marie Fleming is the Founder of www.DogQuality.com, a site focused on products and information to help older dogs enjoy life.
As many of you know we talk a lot about dog diapers as an important way to help senior dogs and one of the themes that comes up over and over again is the problem some breeds have with keeping a diaper on. We recently showed you a washable diaper that does a great job of staying on your dog, however up until now we didn’t have a solution for those senior dog owners who prefer the disposable dog diapers, but have breeds with trouble keeping these diapers in place.
For some people the traditional disposable dog diapers work great. They are affordable, comfortable and do the job, but for others these simply do not stay on their dogs long enough to be an effective solution to unwanted accidents. I personally have experienced this issue with my French Bulldogs so I have been on the hunt for a solution to this challenging issue and I am excited to announce that we have found a very cool disposable dog diaper that actually stays on your dog even if they are running around your house. They are called Do-rite diapers and I am proud to be adding this high quality product to our selection and I am extra excited because this is the first time these disposable dog diapers are available in Canada.
Here is a closer look at this amazing new product:
I describe these as premium disposable dog diapers because you will quickly see that they are quite a bit more expensive than traditional disposables, but once you try them out you will see why. These diapers are of very high quality and have a truly innovative design, which is what makes them such an effective product. They have a much higher waist line that any diaper on the market today, which makes them suitable for both male and female dogs. They are made of a very unique woven fabric that allows the sides to stretch to fit your dog properly, while remaining comfortable and they come with a stretchy set of suspenders that keep the diapers where they need to be – on your dog. Unfortunately you need to pay for that effectiveness.
These diapers are approximately 5 times as expensive as regular disposables, but it is well worth it if it means keeping your dog happy and your carpets clean. For those senior dog owners who have struggled with keeping diapers on their dog, this product can bring you the peace of mind you and your dog have been looking for.
We are selling these in trial packs of 2 so people can test them out or you can purchase them in a 5 pack . We welcome your feedback on this new addition to our product line, so please drop me a line and tell me what you think.
For more info on our selection of dog diapers please visit DogQuality.com
One of the challenges I most often hear from senior dog owners is the difficulties they have in safely getting their dog in and out of their car, truck or SUV. As dogs get older, jumping up and down not only becomes more difficult, but it can often lead to serious injuries. Dog ramps are a logical choice to deal with these issues as they offer a safe alternative to letting your aging dog jump and help eliminate the need for dog owners to have to lift their dog themselves. Whether you are trying to help your dog into a vehicle or up on a bed, a dog ramp can assist your older dog by allowing them to safely go up and down from the desired location.
I wanted to show our audience some ramps in action and thanks to one of our customers we were able to do just that. A big thank you goes out to Bridget and her family for allowing me to record the introduction of two dog ramps from Pet Gear to Jake, their senior dog. The reason for the dog ramps is to protect Jake from injury as he likes to jump in and out of their SUV and on and off of their bed. As he gets older his owners have found that he is starting to miss when he jumps and fear that he could seriously injure himself in the process.
In this video we watch as Jake gets accustomed to the Pet Gear Tri-Fold ramp for access in and out of their SUV, as well as an indoor ramp to help him climb up onto their bed.
Here is what we discovered…
Outdoor Tri-Fold Dog Ramp:
Widest dog ramp on the market measuring 70” L x 20” W
The surface offers dogs excellent grip using a tread that retains its grip even if it’s raining
The long length allows you to use this with SUVs and Trucks without creating a steep climb
The ramp stays nice and secure with extra support provided by the strap and the bottom tread
While your dog may not take to it right away, with the right amount of coaxing and possibly some delicious dog treats you will find that progess can be made quite quickly.
Holds dogs up to 200 pounds so perfect for large breeds.
This dog ramp folds easily to fit in your trunk and comes with a handle for easy carrying.
SUVs and Trucks can create scary scenarios for your dog especially if you are parked on a slant and the drop down from the back becomes much higher. This dog ramp gives owners peace of mind in knowing their older dog can safely enter and leave the vehicle without straining their joints.
Dog owners can avoid straining their own backs by not having to lift their dogs in and out of the cars, trucks or SUVs
Indoor Dog Ramp:
This dog ramp can actually be used indoors or outdoors.
Comes with a removable carpet that makes for easy cleaning.
Folds flat for easy storage in your car or under a bed.
This sturdy ramp which weighs only 9 lbs can hold dogs up to 200 lbs.
Measures 42″L x 16″W which works nicely for bedrooms as you will see in the video
We discovered that instead of trying to lean it up against the top of the bed it sat very securly in between the mattress and the box spring.
We also tried the indoor ramp with Reggie, the family’s young French Bulldog. Reggie is recovering from a broken leg which happened as a result of jumping off the bed and landing on a toy. It was a traumatic experience for dog and humans alike and this indoor dog ramp now gives Reggie a safe and easy way to get up and off the bed…no more jumping means that his owners can stop worrying that he will re-injure himself.
Overall, I would highly recommend that owners of senior dogs, particularily large breeds, seriously consider the use of a dog ramp to help protect their older dog from injury when accessing a vehicle or furniture. Why take the chance of injuring your dog when we have safer options?
Ann-Marie Fleming is the Founder of www.DogQuality.com, a site focused on products that help older dogs enjoy life.
We have had dog diapers on the brain lately, but there are other options for dog owners and their older dogs who are facing problems with incontinence or issues with bowel control – Dog Pads. In this video we take a look at two types of dog pads; disposable dog pads and washable dog pads, both of which can offer valuable protection and relief for you and your senior dog.
What I like about using dog pads is that rather than covering the dog as is the case with dog diapers, dog pads can be used where accidents occur most often. For some older dogs, accidents occur most often in a bed, and with others it may be by the door or on the floor. For example we use dog pads for Sheba, my mother’s yorkie-poo who is 14 years young. Sheba has most of her accidents while laying in bed (human and dog) so we use a pad for times when she is sleeping and they work wonders. Not only does it make life easier for my parents, but Sheba feels much better knowing she didn’t make a mess of things. Our dogs can get as embarrassed about losing control of their bladder and bowels as humans do, so we need to be respectful of their dignity to help maintain their spirits.
For some senior dog owners the disposable pad will make more sense since you can throw them out and not have to deal with the mess, but for other dog owners, who like the idea of not having to replenish supplies, then the washable pads make the most sense since you can reuse them after a simple wash.
Whichever type of dog pad works for you it is great to have another option to help you and your older dog manage the challenges that come with a dog’s golden years.
Ann-Marie Fleming is the Founder of www.DogQuality.com, a site focused on products that help older dogs enjoy life.
