All Orthopedic Dog Beds Are NOT Created Equal!

No Other Memory Foam Dog Bed Has ALL the Orthopedic Features of Buddy Beds

Make sure you are getting what you are paying for! Compare the important features of several well-known Memory Foam Dog Beds. Buddy Bed's quality and unique patented features makes it the Memory Foam Dog Bed that not only works -- it lasts!!

See Frequently Asked Questions regarding why these features are important at the bottom of the page (under the comparison chart).

If you are having difficulty reading the chart - make sure to click on the "click here to view larger as PDF" link at the top of the chart.


Click here to view larger as PDF

Why are these features important in a Memory Foam Dog Bed?

Frequently Asked Questions

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Why is the Quality of Memory Foam Important?

The quality of memory of memory foam is important for several reasons. First, the higher quality memory foam gives better support and comfort. Second, higher quality memory foam lasts longer. Cheaper memory foam has been known to lose it's 'memory' over time.

Here is a quick primer of the 3 qualities of memory foam available on the market today. Memory foam is graded by density. All foam is defined by a series of numbers that reflect the weight and compression ratios of a square foot of foam. These measurements are typically given by it's weight

• 3 pound memory foam These is the lowest quality of memory foam. It is much lighter weight than all the other qualities of memory foam. In fact it has been know to lose it's 'memory' over time. Sadly, many memory foam dog beds use this cheaper quality because it is less expensive. Often if they are using this cheaper quality memory foam -- they will not tell you what quality memory foam they are using!
  
  
• 4 pound memory foam Most 'human' beds uses 4 pound memory foam. It is a good quality of memory foam.
  
  
• 5 pound memory foam This is the higest quality of memory foam available on the market today. It is a heavier foam - which give better comfort and support in an orthopedic dog bed. It is also a foam that holds it's 'memory' over time.

Buddy Beds uses 5 pound memory foam. Remember, if an orthopedic memory foam dog bed is using 5 pound memory foam -- they are going to tell you!! If they are using a lesser quality. . .most likely it will not be mentioned which quality memory foam is being used in their dog bed.

As in anything, better quality tends to last longer. We all want to spend our money wisely. Paying for quality will give you a memory foam dog bed that will last.

(Note from Owner) My beloved Webster is 105 pounds. He has been on the same Buddy Bed for the over 5 years (it was one of the prototypes we made when starting this company). The 'memory' in his bed, even at his weight, is as good as the day it was made. Although I must admit I did have to replace the outer washable cover. So we know our Buddy Beds will last for at least 5 years. How nice is that, the memory foam 'insides' of the dog bed last longer than the outer covers?

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It is Important to Confirm the Memory Foam in Your Orthopedic Dog Bed is CERTIFIED Non-Toxic!

Buddy Beds Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Beds uses a CERTIFIED safe, non-toxic memory foam, unlike many of our "warehouse" and "discount" imitators - that is how they keep the price so low. Buddy Beds memory foam is certified NOT to contain harmful chemicals or to 'offgas' harmful gases.

Buddy Beds uses a safe, non-toxic memory foam which is a more expensive memory foam. (Read more about our factory in the section below). Our memory foam is certified non-toxic. If you have a question if the memory foam being used is non-toxic -- ask for the certification of the memory foam. Many are claiming their memory foam to be non-toxic - but it needs to be certified. Ask specifically who is certifing the memory foam. It needs to be certifed by a reputable, recognizable, governmental authority. Anyone can claim their memory foam is non-toxic -- but it needs to be certified non-toxic. PERIOD.

In this difficult economy, we are see lots of large corporations, who specialties are other things, get into the 'dog bed business' because they know we love our dogs and will spend money to give them the qualtiy of life they deserve -- regardless of the economy. It is well known that the pet products business is considered 'recession proof', and for that reason and could be a lucrative venture. Sadly, there is not the concern for quality but the desire for profitabilty -- and we are seeing many of the 'wholesale' or 'discount' dog bed manufacturers cut corners.

Ask these 'wholesale' dog bed companies how long they have been making memory foam dog beds. . .and, do they make other memory foam products than dog beds? If so, do they use the same memory foam in all their products? Are memory foam 'seconds' from their other manufacturing lines used in their dog beds?

Here is interesting quote from an article on how memory foam manufacturers can cut corners: "I also was cautioned about manufacturers who unload bad pours of foam on unsuspecting customers in order to recoup their costs in pouring this foam." . . and. . . "And, like all things, if the price seems too good, it may well be an indication that something isn't right and the foam may not be up to the advertised specifications."

Read the whole article: Quality Shortcuts Memory Manufacturers Can Take

Buddy Beds was one of the first memory foam dog bed manufacturers. All we make is Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Beds - nothing else. We contine to be a family owned business who consider our pets to be members of our families. Our reputation has been built on quality, safety, comfort, and customer service. We would never, ever sell a product that could be harmful.


Here is a link to our Mission Statement: Buddy Bed's Mission Statement and Philosophy.
And. . .Please read our testimonials: Happy Customers



Want to read how 'Wholeseale' or 'Discount' memory foam manufacturers can cut corners?:
Not All Memory Foam is Created Equal - Quality Shortcuts Memory Foam Manufacturers Can Take

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Is it true that memory foam made in the USA is a better quality and safer memory foam?

This is a statement made by some dog bed manufacturers; however, it is not necessary true. Like all things, there are good overseas factories which sell a superior product, and then there are inferior factories that do in fact cut corners.

We at Buddy Beds could make our dog beds with memory foam made in the USA - yet, here is why we do not.

Buddy Beds has been fortunate enough to enter into a partnership with one of the largest, most respected baby products company. Our memory foam comes from the factory that only makes memory foam for baby products (and us). We want the same safety and security we offer our babies . . .for our dogs as well.

The factory we work with has been certified to produce a safe, non-toxic product. The factory is audited and approved by Bureau Veritas, an accredited third party testing laboratory approved by the U.S. Government (CPSIA Act of 2008). This factory is audited once a year by Bureau Veritas as mandated by Babies R Us, as they manufacture BRU branded products.

The key requirements in these audits are:

• Facilities
• Organization
• Production and quality
• Safety compliance testing
• Working conditions

In addition, our memory foam complies to CA 117 Flammability and CPSIA Phthalate requirements.

Interestingly, much of the memory foam manufactured in the USA does not live up to these exacting standards. So don't be fooled, just because it is made in the USA doesn't necessarily mean it is a high quality memory foam.

Working with this respected factory allows us to buy a superior memory foam at a reasonable price. So rest assured, our memory foam contains no components or chemicals that could pose a health hazard to your dog!

Why should I buy memory foam and not just regular foam for my dog bed?

Excellent question. Memory foam is the ONLY material know to man that completely eliminates all painful pressure points - making it ideal for dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, joint and muscle issues, or just plain old age. Hospitals and burn units have been using memory foam for years for us 'humans' because our pressure points become bed sores.

Since memory foam eliminates all pressure points it is the ONLY material that is truly orthopedic! If an orthopedic dog bed is not using memory foam - it is not truly orthopedic!

It breaks our hearts to watch our dogs age. Many suffer from the same painful medical issues we do as they age. Arthritis for an example. Eliminating pressure points can make arthritic dogs so much more comfortable. Creating a pressure point while your dog is sleeping or resting cuts off blood circulation to the joints. And just like oil in a car -- the blood lubricates the joints. If you can keep the blood circulation flowing as your dog is sleeping/resting -- you will see that they get up less stiff.

Yet, don't forget our younger dogs. Memory foam can ease the pressure on their joints -- making aging so much more comfortable. Remember, sadly our dogs age much faster than us humans.

There is no other material that gives our dogs the comfort and support like memory foam. . . and we would do ANYHTING for the comfort of our beloved Buddys!!

I don't understand all these names for memory foam

Memory foam is memory foam -- pure and simple. Many dog beds are not using true memory foam -- so they make up names that sound like the materials being used is memory foam. Why? Because memory foam is an expensive foam -- well worth it for it's amazing properties -- but, yes it is expensive. If it is not called 'memory foam' -- it probably isn't memory foam! There a lot of names out there that are NOT memory foam -- but they want to think it is memory foam.

These materials are NOT memory foam and do not provide the orthopedic qualities of real slow recovery visco-elastic memory foam:

• Shredded memory foam!!!
• High memory fiber fill
• High density ortho foam
• Super support foam
• Egg crate foam
• Convoluted foam
• Medical grade hospital foam
• 'High density' foam (what is that?)
• Foam chips
• Recycled fiber
• Batting
• Cedar
• Polyester fiber

Remember -- true memory foam is the ONLY foam that is truly orthopedic! And we know you want the best dog bed for your dog.

Why is a waterproof (yet breathable) protective liner important?

Buddy Bed Dog Bed's waterproof, yet breathable, liner protects the porous memory foam from liquids, stains, and odors. Meanwhile, it keeps the memory foam anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-dust mite, and hypoallergic. This is HUGE!!

Buddy Bed Dog Beds has patented this combination of features. Not other orthopedic dog bed will offer you this combination as Buddy Bed Dog Beds does.

Many older dogs are incontinent. Should you have one accident on the porous memory foam, it is impossible to get the urine out of the memory foam -- there goes your investment in memory foam.

Generally the main reason you need to discard a foam dog bed is because it begins to smell. Over time the porous memory foam can soak up all kinds of 'stuff' -- drool, goo, etc. And once it begins to smell -- there is really nothing that can be done to remove those odors. Buddy Beds protective liner prevents this from happening.

Buddy Bed Dog Beds are an orthopedic dog bed that not only works -- it lasts!!

(Note from Owner) Remember earlier when I said my 105 pound dog had been on the same Buddy Bed for the last 5+ years? Well, the first reason our beds last is because we use the finest memory foam. The second reason our beds last is because our liner protects the memory foam from liquids, stains, and odors. After 4.5 years, Webster's Buddy Bed has no odors whatsoever! Our liner has kept the memory foam as pristinely clean as the day it was manufactured.

What makes a dog bed anti-bacterial, anti-microbial,and anti-dust mite?

Buddy Bed Dog Beds are anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-dust mite due to their patented waterproof (yet breathable) liner. Just as this protective liner will not allow liquids, stains, or odors to pass through the liner -- it does not allow bacterial, microbes or dust mites. This ensures that your porous memory foam will keep as clean as the day it was made.

Because this combination is patented. . .you will not find this combination of features -- such as our liner -- in any other Orthopedic Dog Bed.

Is supporting foam important? Why?

Supporting foam is a CRITICAL step in making the finest orthopedic memory foam dog bed -- but also a very expensive step -- that is why most memory foam dog beds do not take this important step!

If you put your dog on a dog bed that is made ONLY of memory foam -- the longer the dogs sleeps or rests on the memory dog bed. . .they will sink deeper and deeper into the memory foam until finally they sink through the memory foam and hit the floor. When the dog hits the floor it creates a pressure point and defeats the whole purpose of investing in memory foam. By the way, sinking through the memory foam and hitting the floor is called "bottoming out".

By permanantly gluing memory foam to a layer of supporting foam you will prevent your dog from bottoming out.

Buddy Bed Dog Beds permanently glues 2 inches of 5 pound memory foam to 3 inches of supporting foam. This allows the memory foam to mold to every bump and cranny of your dog's body -- while keeping them up off the floor.

It is important to find a memory foam dog bed that has a layer of supporting foam.

What is the Animal Wellness Seal of Approval?

Buddy Bed Dog Beds has received the coveted Animal Wellness Seal of Approval for their Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Beds!

Animal Wellness is a nationally acclaimed magazine devoted to providing timely information and leading edge articles on animal wellness issues. Their Seal of Approval is given only to products they deem to meet their standards of quality and effectiveness after rigorous in-house testing. Buddy Bed Dog Beds is proud to display this prestigious honor for their orthopedic dog beds. It is the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval of the pet industry. To date, we have not seen another orthopedic dog bed receive this Seal of Approval.

(The President/CEO of the magazine has a Buddy Bed dog bed in his office for his Labrador retriever.)

So what if the covers have extra long zippers?

For anyone who has ever struggled to get the dog bed cover off and back on for washing -- you will appreciate extra long zippers. It is one of my pet peeves to have to stuggle to get that cover on and off!

Buddy Bed Dog Beds put in extra long zippers. The zipper goes the length of bed, the wraps around each corner, so the cover can just flip back for easy removal. Putting the cover back on is equally as easy. It is the attention to details such as this that make the Buddy Bed Dog Bed the best on the market.

What is the Buddy Bed Dog Beds Guarentee?

We fully guarentee our products against defects in materials or workmanship. BuddyBeds will replace a defective bed directly to the consumer. Chewing or excessive sratching damage is not covered. Simply send the bed back, along with your sales receipt, to Buddy Beds, 875 South Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80246. The warranty is for a one time replacement only.

Why do you sell extra covers?

We sell extra covers for a couple reasons. If you recall, I mentioned that my dog as been on the same Buddy Bed Dog Bed for over 5 years. The memory foam is great -- but the cover after that amount of time was the worse for wear and needed to be replaced. We know that our Buddy Bed Dog Beds last for years -- and after a couple years most people want to replace the cover.

The other reason we sell extra covers is for convenience. While one cover is in the wash -- you can put on a second cover. Plus, we recommend air drying our covers -- air drying lenghtens the life of the fabric. If you do have to put our cover in the dry make sure it is on low heat. . .never high heat.

What should I look for in a cover fabric?

The fabrics used in a dog bed cover should be comfortable, durable, and washable.

Comfort is important - we want our dogs to be comfortable. If if feels comfortable to you -- it will feel comfortable to your dog. Many stiffer fabrics like nylon and vinyl are not always very comfortable to rest upon. Natural fibers such as cotton denims and canvas can be a very comfortable fabrics. Sherpas (faux sheepskin) can be a snuggly warm fabric for colder days.

Durablility is critical in a dog bed cover fabric. These covers receive a lot of wear and tear. Remember too -- there are toenails involved. You want to make sure that the fabric is strong enough to withstand being punctured by toenails. Once a cover is punctured by a toenail -- a rip can easily occur. Microfibers are a wonderful fabric choice for dog bed covers. However, with cheaper quality microfiber fabrics it can be very, very difficult to remove dog hair.

You want to keep your dog bed clean for your dog. Being able to repeatedly machine wash your covers is important. Natural fibers such as cotton denims and canvas can be a very comfortable fabrics. . .but remember as a 100% cotton fabric it can shrink considerably when washed. Buddy Bed Dog Beds pays extra to have their denim pre-washed and pre-shrunk so it will not change size and shape the first time you wash the cover. Always ask if the cotton fabrics have been pre-washed and pre-shrunk!

Here is some additional information on the fabrics Buddy Bed Dog Beds use in their covers:

• Microfiber - microfibers are wonderful fabrics for dog beds! They are durable, long lasting, and easily washed. We went to great lengths to find a quality microfiber from which dog hair can be easily removed -- just wipe the dog bed with a slightly damp cloth and the dog hair will come right off. Some of the cheaper microfibers -- it is humanly impossible to get the dog hair off once it get on the cover.
  
• Denim - 14oz prewashed, preshrunk denim (most likely a heavier denim than your favorite jeans!)
  
• Sherpa - otherwise know as faux sheepskin
• SuperSoft Fleece - This fleece is amazingly soft and cuddly -- it is a baby fabric so you can imagine how soft. I wish you could reach through the computer and feel it. It is an anti-pill fleece!

Buddy Bed Dog Beds uses the finest quality fabrics we can find available in today's marketplace.

What should I look for in the dimensions of a dog bed?

The most important thing when choosing a dog bed size - is to make sure the hips and shoulders are ALWAYS supported by the memory foam.

Buddy Bed Dog Beds did a number of studies to determine what would be the best shape and size for an orthopedic memory foam dog bed. You will see that our memory foam dog beds are are very wide. Many memory foam dog beds are long and narrow. We found that with long and narrow beds, often the head and shoulders would flop off the dog bed -- not supporting the shoulders on the memory foam while contorting the spine.

Just a note: Buddy Bed Dog Beds used to make round dog beds, but we found in our studies, once again the possibility of the head and shoulder flopping off the beds was rather frequent. With a wide rectangular shaped dog bed -- that happened only rarely.

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Read our Customer Reviews

: Customer Reviews of Buddy Beds Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Beds.