Over the last 30 years, there has been a big increase in the number of people developing allergies and it’s the same for our furry best friends. Allergic reactions in dogs can range from mild itching to severe irritation and scratching. Unfortunately, dogs cannot tell us what the problem so it’s left to humans to figure out what’s happening so that we can help out.
Dogs depend on humans for the basic necessities of life – food, water, shelter, and bedding.
When your dog has allergies it can be distressing for your dog with the constant itching and scratching. It can also be heartbreaking to watch as your beloved pet struggles to deal with this condition. As dog parents, we want to help. As well as a consultation with your veterinarian one of the best ways to help deal with this problem is to reduce and hopefully eliminate allergic reactions within your home.
Within the family home, one of the main culprits for skin irritation for your dog may be house mites. Studies from A.K.C reckon that 30% of dog allergies are caused by dust mites. Dust mites normally like nice warm places and your dog’s bed could be an ideal resting and breeding spot.
Hypoallergenic Dog Beds | |||
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Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed Lounge | Rating 4.7 | ||
Skopeks Orthopedic 7" Thick Dog Bed | Rating 4.7 | ||
Milliard Premium Orthopedic Dog Bed | Rating 4.7 | ||
Brindle Waterproof Pet Bed | Rating 4.6 | ||
Midwest Homes for Pets Plush Dog Beds | Rating 4.4 |
Article Summary: Best Hypoallergenic Dog Beds |
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What Does Hypoallergenic Mean? | |
Allergies in Dogs |
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Steps to Help Control Dust Mites | |
Things to Consider for a Hypoallergenic Bed | |
Top 5 Picks for Hypoallergenic Beds |
Top Picks for Hypoallergenic Dog Beds
No. 1 – Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed Lounge
Out top pick is Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed Lounge. This Californian-designed bed has been made for comfort. The plush poly-fill bolster and memory foam base would help an older senior dog with joint pain or else you can just spoil your young healthy dog.
Features include:
Hypoallergenic
This dog bed would be classified as hypoallergenic as it has a removable cover that is machine washable and the mattress is made from human-grade mattress foam with a memory foam base. The suede-like cover can help combat fur and hair and thereby reducing dust mites and allergens.
Orthopedic
Memory foam and poly-fill bolster providing cushion support for extra comfort.
Easy to Clean & Anti Slip
The suede-like cover is durable and can be removed for a machine wash. It’s also fur and hair resistant and ant-tear. The bottom of the bed is anti-skid and anti-slip which provides stability and reduces the likelihood of any accidents.
Various Sizes
The bed comes in various sizes from small to XXL.
The Pros
Very comfortable with a memory foam base & plush poly fill cushions
Durable with a removable cover that can be machine washed
American designed but not made in USA
The Cons
Some users had an issue with the odor of the bed but it should fade over time
Not waterproof inner lining. Some users had an issue with the water-resistant inner lining leaking
No 2 – Skopeks Orthopedic 7″ Thick Dog Bed
The Skopeks Orthopedic 7″ Thick Dog Bed is comparable to a high-end therapeutic store mattress. Along with its 3-inch headrest, your dog should be comfortable on this bed especially any dogs suffering joint or arthritic issues.
Features include:
Hypoallergenic
The bed is made from premium memory foam which helps reduce exposure to allergens and the fabric cover can be easily wiped clean or machine washed.
Comfort with Double Layer Protection
This 7-inch thick bed has unique two water-resistant zippered covers. These covers provide double-layer protection against messes and can be easily removed and washed.
Available Sizes
The bed comes in just two sizes, large and extra-large.
3 Colors
Available in a choice of 3 colors, Brown, Gray, and Brown with Plush Top
The Pros
Well made & high quality
Premium memory foam
7″ thick – one of thickest dog beds available
2 zippered covers that are easily removable for washing.
Double layer protection works really well for any accidental leaks or accidents
The Cons
When the bed arrives it comes in tubular packing and will need to leave bedsit for a few days to expand
Some users had an issue with the smell but eventually fades
No. 3 – Milliard Premium Orthopedic Dog Bed
The Milliard Premium Orthopedic Dog Bed provides a combination of support and comfort for your dog. The base is made from sturdy foam and there is a 2″ inch memory foam on top.
Features include:
Hypoallergenic
The bed is composed of high-quality foam and memory foam which are hypoallergenic materials. The cover is also washable which can help reduce exposure to allergens.
Anti Slip
There are rubber grips on the bed’s underside which are non-slip and give stability to the bed.
Durable & Waterproof Cover
The cover is made from durable polyester. It is also lined with a TPU coating that provides protection against accidental leaks and accidents.
The Pros
Sturdy foam base with 2″ memory foam on top
Anti-slip bottom
Waterproof & washable cover
The Cons
Some users had an issue with an odor of the bed but it should fade over time
Some users had an issue with leaks onto the foam
No. 4 – Brindle Waterproof Pet Bed
The Brindle Waterproof Pet Bed has a total thickness of 4 inches. This includes a 2″ inch foam base which provides durability and stability to the bed and a 2″ memory foam that helps relieve the pressure points and gives your dog a customized lying position.
Features include:
Hypoallergenic
The bed is hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites and as the cover is washable it helps reduce exposure to allergens.
Cover Washable
The velour cover is really soft and has a zipper so that you can easily remove it for cleaning. Although the cover itself is not waterproof it can be machine washed.
Waterproof Liner
There is a waterproof liner that surrounds the foam so it will not allow any liquid to penetrate the foam.
Available Sizes
Small, Medium & Large
Wide Selection of Colors
Charcoal Velour, Charcoal Black, Khaki, Mocha Blue, Navy Trellis & Red Sherpa.
The Pros
Well made
Cover washable
Breathable Waterproof liner surrounding the foam
3 Year Warranty
The Cons
Some users had an issue with waterproof liner leaking
No. 5 – Midwest Homes for Pets Plush Dog Beds
The Midwest Homes for Pets Plush Dog Beds is a very competitively priced bed that works as a standalone bed or could be placed in a crate or dog cage. Very suitable for small breed dogs.
Features include:
Hypoallergenic
As the entire pet bed is machine washable and dryer friendly it will help reduce your dog’s exposure to allergens. The bed is made of tufted and plush poly-fiber. it also has soft polyester that won’t pill up like fleece pet beds. The bed is not recommended for active chewers though.
Available Sizes
Wide selection of sizes to choose from including:
18 inch, 22 inches, 24 inches, 30 inches, 36 inches, 42 inches, and 48 inches
Entire Bed Washable
There is no messing about with detachable covers. When the bed gets dirty you simply machine wash it on a cold, gentle cycle separately (no bleach) and tumble dry low.
Non-Skid Bottom Surface
This prevents the bed from slipping and sliding.
What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?
The word hypoallergenic is simply defined as relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.
There are many products on the market nowadays claiming to be hypoallergenic. Even some dog breeds are now listed as being hypoallergenic so perhaps there are some hypoallergenic people out there too.
In our selection of hypoallergenic dog beds, we have sought to provide you with information on the best type of beds that are less likely to cause any allergic reactions. Hopefully, this selection will help when choosing the right dog bed. No one thing or item though can be considered to be completely hypoallergenic for everybody.
Allergies in Dogs
Just like humans, dogs can suffer from allergies. Humans’ reactions normally involve sneezing, runny nose, inflamed eyes, and itching. In dogs, the most common reaction to an allergy is normally itching and scratching to various degrees of intensity.
There are two main types of allergies that can affect dogs and they include:
- Skin Allergies
- Food Allergies
Skin allergies in dogs are normally caused by the following
a. Flea bite allergic reactions.
Some dogs are allergic to flea saliva so when the flea bites it causes an allergic reaction on your dog’s skin. This can vary from mild itching to severe irritation
b. Food allergies can trigger reactions resulting in itchy skin
c. Environmental allergens can also cause reactions and result in skin allergies. The main environmental allergens include pollens from trees & flowers, mold spores, and house dust mites.
To a certain degree, we can exert some control over environmental allergens especially in the home. Frequent washing and cleaning of your dog’s bedding, blankets, and soft toys can help reduce exposure to dust mites and dead skin cells.
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Steps to Help Control Dust Mites
Dust mites are a common feature in most homes. Some dogs are more prone to allergic reactions than others and if your dog is affected by allergies there are a number of steps you can take to help control these mites.
Dust mites thrive in the home as the temperature and humidity are just right. They feed on animal and human dander, skin, and hair.
1. Less Carpet The Better
Mites love to breed and hang out in carpets particularly high pile carpets. If you can avoid having carpets all the better especially in the area where your dog sleeps. In an ideal world, we can all have hardwood, vinyl, or tile floors but in reality, this doesn’t work so if you do have carpets make sure you use a good vacuum with good suction to reduce house mite presence.
2. Wash
Wash all bedding including blankets, plush toys in preferably hot water, or follow washing instructions on the bed.
3. Suitable Material
The best type of hypoallergenic material for use in beds includes cotton, hemp, woven fabric, and microfibers.
4. Frequent Grooming
Make sure you keep your dog’s coat in good condition with regular frequent grooming. Grooming will help get rid of any dead hair and skin. If possible groom outside or in an area not near your living or bedroom quarters for you or your dog.
5. Use A/C During Summer
If you are lucky to have central air conditioning then you can use this during the hot summer months to help with any house mites. Use the A/C on lower humidity settings as mites love nice warm and humid conditions.
Source: MedVet
Things to Consider for a Hypoallergenic Dog Bed
Material
A hypoallergenic dog bed should be made from a material that does not cause any allergic reaction in your dog. This hypoallergenic material suppresses the growth of bacteria and mold and also helps reduce the accumulation of dust mites.
The best type of hypoallergenic material for use in beds includes cotton, hemp, woven fabric, and microfibers. Ideally, the cover should be a finely woven fabric so that no dust mites and other microscopic allergens fall through into the foam on the inside of the bed. The filler of the bed should ideally be a dense foam such as memory foam. This foam is usually resistant to dust mites and less likely for mold and spores to form on the inside.
Good Quality
This really should go without saying but it’s important that the dog bed doesn’t fall apart after a short while. You want a bed that is durable and can withstand the daily rigors of life and your dog. In addition, if there is memory foam and cushioned support you would want to maintain its structure and not flatten out over time.
Easy to Clean
In order to reduce your dog’s exposure to house mites, dust, and dander, etc the bed should be easy to clean. There is no point in having the best bed in the world and you cannot clean it. There should either be removable covers or you can wash and soak the entire bed.
Comfortable
At the end of the day if your dog is not comfortable in the bed then it’s a complete waste of money. Just like humans, dogs do enjoy their comforts. Make sure there is enough space for your dog to stretch and if you have an older senior dog ideally some memory foam would help with the joints. The gel can also help with issues of your dog overheating when sleeping.
Waterproof
Having a waterproof feature especially if you have senior dogs is an essential feature. Some dogs have bladder issues and accidents, unfortunately, can happen. With a waterproof cover, the bed is protected.
Conclusion
Our top pick for the best hypoallergenic dog bed goes to Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Bed Lounge. This California-made bed has been designed for comfort with its memory foam base and plush poly-fill bolster. Great for senior dogs with stiff joints and also suitable for young healthy dogs who are spoiled by their owners!