Home and care · Senior years
Comfort for Older Dogs at Home: A Bolster Bed, Waterproof Layers and Fresh Air by the Bed
As dogs get older, the bed becomes the center of their day. A few thoughtful pieces around that one spot make the later years cozier.
By Theo Marsh, Senior writer · 4 min read · Published
The best way to make an older dog comfortable at home is to make their favorite resting spot as cozy, clean and fresh as possible. Senior dogs often spend more of the day resting, so that one spot matters more every year. Puppy Kind's store has the pieces that help: the Cloud Rest Bolster Dog Bed with raised sides to rest a chin on ($79.95), Couch Guard Waterproof Dog Blankets ($39.95), a Plaid 3-Layer Waterproof Pet Pad ($29.95), Fresh Start Puppy Pads that are handy for older dogs too ($24.95), and the Pet Air Purifier to keep the air fresh right beside the bed ($49.85).
I write about canine aging, and my favorite part of that work is the hopeful side: the later years can be good years. At home, that starts with the place where an older dog chooses to rest. In our den, that's the dog bed beside the end table, with my second purifier right next to it.
A bed with something to lean on
The Cloud Rest Bolster Dog Bed is a rectangular sofa-style bed with raised sides, so your dog has a bolster to rest a chin on. The size S measures 73 x 58 x 15 cm, in a soft cream fabric that sits neatly in a living room or bedroom corner. Many older dogs love curling against a raised edge, and a bolster bed gives them that support right where they already like to lie.
Waterproof layers for easy clean-up
The Couch Guard Waterproof Dog Blanket lays over the sofa or the bed, wherever your dog likes to settle. Its waterproof layer protects what's underneath, and it washes with water. It comes in grey, beige, brown and red.
For the floor or inside the bed, the Plaid 3-Layer Waterproof Pet Pad is a cotton pad that's waterproof, urine-proof and non-slip, 45 x 60 cm. Puppy Kind also sells Fresh Start Puppy Pads in a pack of 100, and it notes they're handy for older dogs too.
Fresh air beside the bed
An older dog who rests for long stretches spends a lot of time breathing the air in one small area. The Pet Air Purifier is made to sit right beside that spot. It's about 3 x 3 x 5.9 inches, runs on USB-C at 5 V / 1 A, and its pre-filter, True HEPA element and activated carbon work on the air close to the bed. The package lists up to 216 square feet for a standard-size living room, which covers a den or a bedroom nicely.
To see the purifier's full measurements, here are the size, power and filter specs I checked.
The later years can be some of the sweetest ones, and a cozy bed, easy-clean layers and fresh air right beside it help an older dog enjoy every one of them.
Questions readers ask
How can I make my older dog more comfortable at home?
Start with the spot your dog already chooses to rest. Add a supportive bed with raised sides, waterproof layers that are easy to wash, and fresh air nearby, so the place where your dog spends the most time stays cozy and clean.
Does Puppy Kind sell dog beds?
Yes. Puppy Kind sells the Cloud Rest Bolster Dog Bed, a rectangular sofa-style bed with raised sides to rest a chin on. Size S measures 73 x 58 x 15 cm and costs $79.95 on puppykind.org.
Are Puppy Kind blankets waterproof?
Yes. The Couch Guard Waterproof Dog Blanket has a waterproof layer that protects the sofa or bed underneath, and it washes with water. It comes in grey, beige, brown and red.
Where should an air purifier go for an older dog?
Right beside the bed where your dog rests most. A small purifier like the Puppy Kind Pet Air Purifier can sit on a side table next to the bed, so it works on the air your dog breathes during long rests.