Sit Down Dog Wheelchairs
How Will a Dog Rear Lift Harness Help My Pet?
Pets dealing with rear leg paralysis or weakness need additional support to stay active. There are many reasons a dog may have difficulty getting around, but a mobility harness is a simple solution for pets to keep moving. Rear lifting devices are easy to use and help pet parents to lift their dogs safely.
There are many reasons why a pet may need hind end support, a pet’s mobility loss can be caused by:
- Paralysis
- Healing from a back leg injury
- Post operative support
- Knee or hip pain
- Arthritis or dysplasia
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Neurological Condition
- Spinal disease
4 Ways to Use a Rear Lift Harness
A mobility harness supports your pet’s rear end; lifting the harness handles reduces the pressure on your dog’s back, legs, and hips to help them. With the hind legs supported, pets become more stable, allowing them to stand and walk around with your aid. Here are the most common real-life scenarios where a rear harness can help your best friend:
1. Assist Your Dog on the Stairs
It's quite common for senior pets to struggle to climb the stairs on their own.
Your pet uses an incredible amount of leg strength to push themselves up each stair tread.
Pets with weaker back legs may feel unsafe or unsteady on the stairs. Rear support harnesses can help them to feel stabilized and better maintain their balance as they navigate the stairs.
2. Help Pets Into the Car
Jumping into the car means your dog is taking a big leap. Signs of reluctance or an unwillingness for them to get in the car may mean they need your help. A lifting device can be used to give them the boost they need to jump in or out of the car with ease.
3. Lifting Assistance for Trips Outside
Getting your dog outside to pee and poop is one of pet parents' biggest challenges when caring for a mobility-impaired pet. You need to be able to get your dog outside quickly and easily. A rear lift harness allows your dog to do their business cleanly while being fully supported.
Although dog wheelchairs are an excellent way to get your dog mobile outside, in an emergency situation there isn't always enough time to get them into their cart. This is when a rear harness is ideal. Slide them up your dog's legs quickly to help them stand and walk outside easily. There are many options for rear lifting devices, choose one that best suits your needs.
4. Additional Rear Support in a Dog Wheelchair
Dog wheelchairs are a great way to keep paralyzed pet's active and their rear legs supported, but some pets may need additional support beyond the standard leg rings.
Substituting your dog's rear leg rings for a durable harness can mean added rear support and a more comfortable seat for your pet. There are many wheelchair harness options available and their benefits vary. Choose a rear harness that is designed to fit your dog's size and specific mobility needs. Many wheelchair compatible harnesses can make it easier to support your dog as your get them in and out of their cart too!
Rear Harness Solutions for Your Pet
Walkin’ Warrior Rear Harness
The Walkin' Warrior Rear Harness, is a convenient, rear lifting harness designed for pets with weak back legs. Ideal for supporting a dog as they climb the stairs, and jump into the vehicle.
Fun and brightly colored, choose the color that suits your pet’s personality! Fully compatible with the Walkin’ Wheels dog wheelchair, the Warrior Harness supports your pet in or out of their wheelchair.
BuddyUp Rear Harness
You need a heavy-duty lifting harness to provide back support for a large breed dog. The BuddyUp Rear Harness is durable and built to lift a heavier dog. The harness is also part of a progressive harness system, designed to adapt to a dog’s changing mobility. Mobility conditions like Degenerative Myelopathy start with weakened back legs and move up the spine toward the head. As mobility loss progresses, it eventually impacts the pet’s front legs as well. A front lifting harness can be added as needed. Both the rear and front harnesses are compatible with the Walkin’ Wheels dog wheelchair.
Regardless of your dog's mobility condition, there is a rear lift harness designed to help them. Harnesses allow you to support your dog's hind end and help them to get around comfortably without pain. By supporting your dog's back legs, they continue playing, enjoying life, and having fun!
Our Dog's Harness Changed Our Lives
My special family member is a 12 year old terry poo named Oliver. I was taking my boy out and suddenly he could no longer walk on his back legs. I took him to the vet and was told he would have no quality of life since he couldn’t walk because his legs were paralyzed from a disc problem.
He gave me prednisone and sent me home with the thought that if the pills didn’t work, we would have to put him down.
I was carrying him out and he would pull himself around with his front legs which worried me as winter was coming and I couldn’t see him going out and dragging himself around in knee high snow. It broke my heart. He was still the same humourous, playful little boy as he was before this happened and I wanted to do anything in my power to prove the vet wrong.
I went on the internet and discovered your website. What a Godsend.
Where I live there is no place that sells anything that could have helped him. I ordered the back harness and life for us changed dramatically.
I could take him out and he could do his business without any problems. He also could exercise his back legs and has, I believe with the enormous help of the harness, about 95% of his mobility back. I believe that when spring and summer comes, he will be able to go without the harness altogether, although I will still have to carry him up stairs as his one leg is weaker than the other and he can’t jump up the stairs. He still has his bad days though, because there is a touch of arthritis in his back and because of his age, but with the harness he can walk out side with security and confidence.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart that my little boy has done so well with the aid of his harness and will, God willing, have a few more years with us. People have stopped me and inquired about the harness as they haven’t seen anything like it. One lady said that she had put her dog down because the vet had told her the same thing as me.
She wishes now that things like the harness had been around for her pet. I have passed along your website to several people. I guess people are getting a bit tired of me as I can’t say enough about your site and the back harness but, if one person remembers the site when something happens to their little loved one it is worth it.
- Sandra W. and Oliver
