You may have noticed your cat having trouble jumping up on the couch. Or perhaps they haven’t wanted to run around as much as they used to. You may have taken your cat to the vet to make sure there isn’t anything seriously wrong. After ruling out injury and illness, your veterinarian may have recommended joint supplements and investing in an orthopedic cat bed.
There are many choices out there, and you want the very best orthopedic cat bed for your pet. That is why we have created this comprehensive list of reviews. After reading our top favs list, you’ll feel confident picking out the best bed for your cat’s needs.
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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
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Best Overall
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Frisco Plush Orthopedic Front Bolster Cat Bed |
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Best Value
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MidWest Defender Orthopedic Bolster Cat Bed |
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Premium Choice
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FurHaven Quilted Orthopedic Sofa Cat Bed |
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FurHaven NAP Ultra Plush Orthopedic Deluxe Cat Bed |
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Barkbox Memory Foam Platform Cat Bed |
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The 9 Best Orthopedic Cat Beds
1. Frisco Plush Orthopedic Front Bolster Cat Bed – Best Overall
The combination of an affordable price and multiple attractive features makes the Frisco Plush Orthopedic Cat Bed the best overall orthopedic cat bed and a great choice for any senior cat owner. It is available in three different sizes, though the small will fit most cats. The front has an open gap for easy in and out. This is especially helpful if your cat struggles with mobility.
The bed looks like a stylish little sofa, so it will fit well in any room of your house. The plush cover is removable and machine washable. The base of the bed is a thick memory foam covered in comfortable textured padding. The soft interior will help keep your kitty warm while they sleep. When it comes to comfort, affordability, and style, this bed has it all!
- Affordable
- Removable, machine-washable cover
- Thick memory foam for maximum comfort
- Comes in three different sizes
- Only available in two colors
2. MidWest Defender Orthopedic Bolster Cat Bed– Best Value
If you want an orthopedic cat bed that has it all at a winning price, then the MidWest Defender Bolster is the one for you. Its many premium features make it the best orthopedic cat bed for the money. This bed is available in five different sizes. The base is made of thick memory foam with an egg crate top for extra comfort. Your cat will love to cuddle into the soft fleece lining. The front of the bed is open for easy access. Finally, the cover is coated with a Teflon product to repel stains and odors. It is also machine washable in case of an accident.
The only thing keeping this bed out of the top spot is the limited color choice—there is only one color available.
- Easy-to-clean cover
- Super plush feel
- Easy access
- Only available in one color/pattern
3. FurHaven Quilted Orthopedic Sofa Cat Bed – Premium Choice
The FurHaven Quilted Orthopedic Sofa Bed is another great choice for your cat. It comes with a removable, machine-washable cover that is available in six different colors. The sleeping pad has a quilted top covering thick, medical-grade memory foam. The front of the bed is open for easy access. The back and sides have comfortable padding, making them great for headrests. The bed is available in five sizes, from small to jumbo-plus, making it an option for both cats and dogs.
This model is a bit expensive, though, and the color choices are all dark tones that will show pet hair quite obviously, so beware if your pet is a heavy shedder.
- Thick, medical-grade foam base
- Machine-washable cover
- Easy in and out
- Dark colors will show pet hair
- Expensive
4. FurHaven NAP Ultra Plush Orthopedic Deluxe Cat Bed
The FurHaven NAP Ultra is a nice option for an inexpensive cat bed. Unlike some of the others reviewed here, the FurHaven NAP is a flat, cushion-like bed. The cover and core are removable for easy cleaning. Inside, this bed has a thick memory foam with an egg crate top. The cover has a soft fur feel, which will keep your cat cozy and warm. The bed is available in five sizes and three neutral colors.
One of the biggest drawbacks of this bed is the lack of sides. While the flat cushion may be easy for your cat to get on and off of, the lack of sides gives it a less secure feel that your cat might not like.
- Easy-care machine-washable cover
- Low price
- Soft fur cover
- Only a flat cushion, no sides or back
- Only available in three colors
5. Barkbox Memory Foam Platform Cat Bed
This option is a good choice if you want many color choices and a simple design. The Barkbox Memory Foam Platform Bed is available in five sizes and eight colors and patterns. The bed is very simple, including only a thick piece of memory foam with a soft cover. The cover is removable and stain-resistant. It is easy to keep clean by throwing it in the washing machine.
The bed is a little pricey, considering the simplicity. It also comes in a vacuum-packed package and may require up to 24 hours to inflate properly.
- Many color and size choices
- Simple design
- Machine-washable and stain-resistant
- A little pricey for what you get
- Up to 24 hours for inflation
6. PetFusion Ultimate Orthopedic Memory Foam Cat Bed
The PetFusion is a high-end orthopedic bed option for your cat. With the high price tag comes many beneficial features, but it may be more than some pet parents want. The base of this bed is 2.5-inch thick memory foam. This bed is also a more environmentally friendly option. The memory foam is certified free from lead, mercury, phthalates, and formaldehyde. The water and tear-resistant cover is removable and machine washable. It surrounds a waterproof liner that protects the inner foam. There are soft cushions on both sides and the back for security and comfort. The bed is available in five sizes and three colors.
It also comes with a 3-year warranty, which is a nice feature since the bed is more expensive than the others listed here.
- Environmentally friendly foam
- Machine washable cover
- 3-year warranty
- High price tag
- Limited color options
7. Bedsure Orthopedic Cat Sofa Bed
The Bedsure Orthopedic bed is a nice option if you are willing to pay a little more. There are three sides and an open front, giving your cat easy access. The base is made of 2.5 inches of moderately firm memory foam for joint support. The bottom has non-slip rubber pieces to keep the bed from sliding around. It comes with a water-resistant liner and a removable cover. The cover is available in three stylish colors and has a soft faux fur lining.
The fur lining is a cream color, however, which may lead to easy staining.
- Non-slip base
- Thick memory foam
- Cream-colored fur can stain
- Limited color choices
- Slightly more expensive than other options with similar features
8. American Kennel Club Orthopedic Cat Bed
The American Kennel Club Orthopedic Bed is made from recycled and environmentally friendly materials, which is a nice feature. It has a cozy design with three sides to keep your pet feeling safe and warm. The bottom has a non-skid surface to prevent the bed from moving around. The interior has a fleece-like lining, which provides a soft sleeping surface.
There is a very limited amount of padding in the bed, however, making it less appealing for your cat if they need support and joint protection. The cover fabric is also very thin and tears easily. For the price, there are better, more durable options available.
- Non-skid bottom
- Environmentally friendly materials
- Thin padding
- Cover tears easily
- Not waterproof
- Only a few color choices
9. SunStyle Home Orthopedic Foam Cat Bed
The SunStyle Home Orthopedic Foam Bed is another option if you are looking for a cushion without sides. The price is a little lower than some of the other models discussed here, which is reflective of the features you get with this bed. The cover comes only in one color—gray. It is made from a water-resistant canvas material with a faux wool top. The top is cream-colored, so staining may be a problem.
The foam on the interior is thin and does not provide as much cushioning as you might want for your cat. It ships compressed in a vacuum-sealed pack and requires 48 to 72 hours to inflate fully.
- Affordable price
- Cream-colored top may stain
- Thin foam pad
- Requires time to inflate
- Only comes in one color
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Orthopedic Bed for Your Cat
There are many orthopedic cat beds out there. Like all pet owners, you want to make the best choices for your pet’s health and safety. Our guide is meant to help you wade through the options and determine the right one for your needs. Let’s review some important things you will want to consider before making your final choice.
Why the Right Orthopedic Cat Bed Is Important
As cats age, they lose muscle tone, their circulation is not as good as when they were younger, and like humans, they often develop problems with their joints. This can lead to pain, discomfort, and a poor quality of life.
Joint problems can make it harder for your cat to get around. They may have difficulty jumping up onto furniture that they used to clear with ease. They may also demonstrate a lower level of energy than when they were younger. While keeping your cat at a healthy weight can lessen the impact of aging, the need for a softer bed is still there.
After all, no cat owner wants their furry friend hobbling around in pain. Providing them with a soft, plush, comfortable place to sleep is an important way to mitigate the problems caused by aging muscles and joints.
What Makes a Good Orthopedic Cat Bed?
A good orthopedic cat bed should include several features, including the following:
- Thick padding — Probably the most important feature of a good orthopedic cat bed is padding. After all, the main point of an orthopedic bed is to protect your cat’s bones and joints. A thick pad, usually made of memory foam, is critical in a good bed. Often, the better models will have an egg crate topping for additional support.
- Waterproof cover or liner — A waterproof cover or liner will make it much easier to salvage your cat’s bed if they happen to have an accident. Older cats sometimes have bladder problems. If this occurs, you want to be able to easily clean the bed and not have the urine soak into the foam.
- Sides for security — Cats like secure-feeling places. A bed with three sides is ideal for older cats because they can get in and out easily while still having some privacy from the rest of the world. One open side is necessary so your cat doesn’t have to try to jump in and out of the bed.
- Textured top — Cats also like warm places. A bed with a textured or plush top will help keep your cat cozy while they sleep.
- Machine washable — All of the products on our list come with a machine washable cover, which is a must! You will want to keep your cat’s bed clean, so you need to be able to take the cover off easily and throw it in the wash. Always check your specific model for washing and drying instructions to prevent shrinking.
- Tear-resistant — Durable covers are also important because you want your cat’s bed to last. You also don’t want your cat or other pets in your house to chew on the foam interior of the bed.
Buying Tips
Now that you know what makes a good orthopedic cat bed, here are some tips for buying the best one! First, you want to make sure you are getting a high-quality product. Often, the cheapest option is the cheapest for a reason. The quality may not be up to par. You don’t want to end up with a flimsy bed that won’t make your cat comfortable. Take the time to read through product reviews like this one to understand what you are getting when you purchase a product.
You want to make sure you are getting a bed with plenty of high-quality padding for your cat’s comfort. If a bed comes vacuum-packed in a box, it will take up to 72 hours to properly inflate. Be aware of beds that claim to be plush, but you can feel the hard floor beneath them when you push on the base with your hand. If you can feel the floor, your cat most definitely will, too. Sides are also important. If your cat likes curling up in small spaces, they will probably prefer a bed that has sides and a back for privacy and security. Many models on our list come with this feature.
If color and design are important to you, you may want to consider some of the models that are available in a wider variety of colors. However, if you are concerned about staining, avoid the one with a cream-colored top that will show stains easily. You should also consider where you will put the bed in your house. If your cat is like most, they probably love to lie in the sun. If you can find a bed that can go in a sunny spot in your house, your cat will probably be delighted. Beds with rubber on the bottom to prevent slipping are useful too, as they make it easier for your cat to get in and out of the bed.
Whichever model you select, be prepared to clean it frequently to keep it free of excessive hair and other debris. This is why all of the models on our list have machine-washable covers. If your senior kitty does struggle to get to the litter box in time, you will want to buy a model that is waterproof or water-resistant to prevent moisture from soaking into the foam padding.
How We Selected Our List of Orthopedic Cat Beds
Catster has an experienced, expert team of writers, editors, and veterinarians who carefully consider a wide range of parameters when choosing the cat beds. This includes but is not limited to customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, hands-on testing, and of course, our cats have a say in the process too! We aim to select and review only the best products available, to help you make the best possible choice and most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
A trusted online brand since 2001, Catster has a lot of experience with cat beds. Our team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is dedicated to helping you make the best decision for your precious cats. Our aim is to provide the best information available for cat owners to help cats live their best life possible. To do this, we scour reviews from the most trusted sources available and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options available to readers. Our team is deeply invested in the health and welfare of cats the world over, and believes that expert knowledge and veterinary guidance will help you make the right choices—for you and your cats!
Conclusion
If we had to give you just one recommendation for buying an orthopedic bed for your cat, the Frisco Plus Orthopedic Front Bolster Cat Bed is a sure winner. It was the highest-rated in our reviews because it came with all the features your cat needs. It has a thick memory foam base that will provide ideal cushioning for your cat’s joints. The sofa-like design gives your cat privacy and an easy way to get in and out of the bed. The plush top is warm and cozy, so your cat can rest in comfort.
Our second favorite, the MidWest Defender Orthopedic Bolster Cat Bed, comes with many of the same features as our number one. It is a great value for the price. We think your cat will love the thick fleece lining, while you will love the removable, easy-to-clean, stain-repellent cover. Either way, you can’t go wrong with these options.
Hopefully, you have learned all about the different features and product models out there. After reading our reviews, you should have plenty of information about orthopedic cat beds and the confidence that you can make the best choice for your feline friend.
- See Also: Best Covered & Enclosed Cat Beds
Featured Image Credit: Deyan Georgiev, Shutterstock
