As your dog ages, it's important that you take a few extra steps to ensure his comfort. This includes when he's sleeping. As he gets older, he'll sleep more than he used to. That adds up to a lot of sleep given that the average adult dog sleeps some ten to twelve hours each day. If your dog doesn't have a nice, cozy bed, now is the time to get him one. Be sure that it has plenty of soft padding as he'll need the extra support for his aging joints and bones and it will help to prevent and manage any pain from arthritis. There are even orthopedic beds that can help reduce the pressure on the joints of arthritic dogs or other dogs with special needs.

Make sure that your dog's bed is in an easily accessible spot for him. If he has trouble climbing stairs, keep his bed downstairs and maybe even have an extra bed for upstairs at night. Keep his bed in one spot, too, so that you don't disrupt his routine. This is particularly important if your dog's vision is beginning to fail. Make sure that the bed is located away from drafts since damp or cold air can exacerbate pain and arthritis. It's best to have the bed in a warm location or even add a warm blanket. Your dog is likely to be colder as he ages since the coat thins and circulation slows. Also make sure that you keep your dog's bed in an area where he can still be part of the family and not too tucked away from all the action.