Sit Down Dog Wheelchairs
How to Choose the Perfect Rear Lift Harness for Your Dog
Whether your pet is just starting to display signs of mobility loss, or a sudden loss of mobility a harness can be a great tool to help provide them with rear end support, and help you give them that support without having to put so much of a strain on your own body.
A rear support harness can assist you and your pet with a wide range of mobility issues, but finding the correct harness and support for your dog can be difficult, especially with so many types and kinds of harnesses and slings on the market. Choosing the perfect rear lift harness for your dog can be tricky, and in this post, we will further explain and compare some common harnesses to help clarify and make picking the right harness for your pet easier!
Top Reasons Why a Dog Needs a Rear Lift Harness
There are many reasons why a dog may suddenly need hind leg support. Here are a few of the most common reasons why a dog may need a rear harness:
- Weakness in rear legs
- Aging
- Hip Dysplasia
- Difficulty with stairs and cars
- Arthritis
- Hind leg instability
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Trauma or injury
- Post-surgical recovery and rehabilitation
- Dragging rear legs and paws
With so many dog harnesses available, how do you choose the best one for your pet? It's easier than you might think! Choose your dog's harness based on the level of support they need.
The Best Rear Lift Harness for Mid-Level Support
For a rear harness meant to be used for longer periods of time, we recommend the Walkin’ Warrior Rear Harness. Available in three different colors, Blue, Pink, and Green camouflage color, you can choose the color that best matches your dog's personality! This harness is designed to be used on its own as full rear lifting support and can clip into the rear of the Walkin’ Wheels Wheelchair. This function makes it perfect for customers who have trouble getting their pets in and out of the wheelchair using the standard leg rings.
The harness may be used on its own also makes it great for late-night potty breaks. And since the wheelchair cannot go up and down stairs, this harness is a great wheelchair alternative. Unclip the harness from the wheelchair and use it to assist your dog upstairs or into your car. With this harness, your pet's rear legs can be lifted entirely off the ground and suspended. It has easy add-on handles, which can be converted to a wheelchair harness as your pet progresses. While sizing for this may not be weight based, one simple circumference of your pet’s thigh measurement will assist in picking the perfect size for your pet, big and small!
Walkin’ Lift Warrior Harness:
- Stand-alone and Wheelchair compatible rear lift harness
- Comfortable and Durable
- Great for extended use for longer excursions
- Perfect for pets needing more support and ability to lift pets rear off the ground
- Comes in 3 different camouflage colors (Pink, Blue, Green)
- Available in 7 different sizes to find any pet the perfect fit
- Easy circumference of the thigh measurement for sizing
- Matching front harness available
- Safely lift and support your dog
- Harness makes it easier to help dog get in and out of their Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair
Best Heavy Support Harness for a Dog's Back Legs
The BuddyUp Rear Harness is designed for pet parents to assist and support a pet's rear end. Specifically a large or giant dog breed that needs stronger support. This style harness is strong enough to support those pets running on the bigger side, including Goats, Pigs and even Cows!
This harness has less covering around the pet's groin making it easier to keep clean and making the concern that your pet may soil it less of a worry! The BuddyUp harness supports a dog from underneath their back legs, the dog's legs go through two padded foam rings. The leg rings provide a comfortable and supportive fit; while they can be easily wiped down and cleaned!
The BuddyUp Harness is perfect for those with larger pets that need back-end support. This harness can also be used as upgraded rear harness for a pet's wheelchair.
Does your dog need front leg support as well? Combine the rear harness with the matching front harness for the full body lifting support harness. Give your larger pet the full lift support needed without having to buy a custom-made full support harness.
Wearing the front and rear BuddyUp Harness together allows the harness to stay on your pet even when you are not actively assisting or lifting your dog. This harness is a must-have for parents of larger pets looking for a support harness and something to help ease their pet into the wheelchair as it can be connected to any of our Medium to Large sized wheelchair frames.
BuddyUp Rear Harness:
- Stand alone and Wheelchair compatible rear lift harness
- Best for larger pets, including farm animals
- Great for longer wear when paired with the Front Harness
- Adapts to your dog's changing mobility needs
- Great for large pets at any stage of rear mobility loss
- Perfect for larger pets needing further support in the wheelchair
- Harness is easy to size! There are 4 sizes available, choose the best one based on your pet's weight
Hound Loves His Rear Harness
I got my hound almost 10 years ago from the SPCA when he was 6. For years we walked several miles every day. He is 16 now, and we are able to continue walking because of the rear harness I ordered for him about a month ago, from Walkin’ Pets. I have no doubt that the addition of this harness will lengthen his life even as it increases his quality of life. His front legs work great, but because he is a mix of a large breed (Lab) and a smaller breed (beagle), he managed to get the “wrong legs” for his barrel-chested torso! We have walked as much as an hour and 15 minutes with his harness, and it truly has been a game-changer for us, where he was restless and without exercise before, we now go out daily, and he loves it. I recommend the rear walking harness to anyone who is devoted to his or her pet and believes in the therapeutic powers of exercise.
- Liza
Conclusion
When choosing your dog's harness, pick one based off your dog's mobility need, the level of support, and the frequency they will use it. Does your dog need hind end support temporarily as they recover? Or will they need support for the rest of their life? A dog lifting harness provides your pet with the support they need to stay mobile. The right rear lifting harness for your pet will improve the life of your best friend. With your support, your dog will be able to go up the stairs, get outside quickly for bathroom breaks, and safely get in and out of the car. With your support (and the right harness!) your dog can live a happier and more active life.
