What the material is
Memory foam, also called viscoelastic foam, is polyurethane foam that softens with warmth and pressure, then slowly returns to shape. In dog beds it is used as a solid slab, as shredded pieces, or as a layer on top of a firmer base foam.
Why the name is not enough
The words memory foam cover a wide range of products. Low-density foam feels soft at first and can compress permanently within months. Higher-density foam usually lasts longer and costs more. A bed described only as memory foam tells you little.
Ask for the density, the thickness, and the firmness, and ask how each was measured. Density is commonly expressed in pounds per cubic foot or kilograms per cubic meter. Firmness is often given as an indentation force value; ask the supplier which method is used.
Specification fields
| Field | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Density | State the value and the unit. Compare quotes in the same unit. |
| Thickness | Give thickness per size, measured on the finished bed, not on the loose foam. |
| Firmness | Ask for the method and value, or compare sample to sample. |
| Construction | Solid slab, shredded, or layered, and which layer is on top. |
| Foam source documents | Where a foam safety or emissions statement is made, request the report. Leave it out of the listing when no report exists. |
| Cover pairing | A foam bed needs a cover with a stable zipper and a liner or water-resistant layer, since foam does not dry quickly. |
Claims to avoid
Do not write that foam relieves pain, treats joints, or supports a medical condition. These are health claims, and they require evidence the seller does not have. Describe the construction and the thickness instead, and tell customers to ask their veterinarian about the needs of their dog.
Sample checks
Press a fist into the foam and time its recovery. Cut or open a corner, if the sample allows, and look for voids or glued seams. Smell the foam out of the carton: strong odor may fade with airing, but heavy odor should be raised with the supplier before the order.
Store the sample compressed in a box for a few days, as it would be in shipping, and check whether it returns to full height.
Related product line: Orthopedic dog beds. Quotes and specifications are confirmed in writing for each order.