Sit Down Dog Wheelchairs
Mobility Solutions for Dogs
For many of us, our dogs are family members. When dogs age or suffer injuries, they are given all the attention and medical care they need. Hip dysplasia, ligament injury, and arthritis are a few of the maladies that can affect dog mobility, turning normally active and energetic dogs into canines that need dog mobility aids. Fortunately, owners have a wide variety of dog mobility aids that will help canines regain some of their previous movement abilities.
Dog Lift Support
Harnesses and slings are two types of common dog mobility devices that are often solid solutions for dogs that have trouble standing or that tire easily but have not yet lost all their mobility. These dog-walking aids often strap on around the hind legs and come with a leash that owners can gently lift in order to help the dog stand up; these are sometimes referred to as "rear support leashes". Harnesses and slings also come in models that fit around a dog's middle or its front legs, depending on where the dog needs the help. These harnesses are great aids for pet mobility and allow the dog to get the exercise he or she needs.
Another simple type of dog mobility device is the ramp. This dog mobility aid is as simple as it sounds; owners set up the ramp wherever a dog has trouble climbing stairs and allow the dog to walk up and down the ramp as needed. These dog mobility aids are perfect for helping older dogs navigate stairs, climb into the backseat of the car or SUV, and successfully make it up onto the bed or a favorite couch beside the owner.
Dog Leg Brace and Leg Support
Other devices for the partially mobile pet are boots, No-Knuckling Training Sock, canine knee brace and splints. Boots are a great pet mobility device for older or injured dogs that are unsure of their footing and need a little help gripping slippery surfaces. Dogs that drag their paws will also benefit from the No-Knuckling Training Sock, helps correct gait, and improve front or rear paw placement. The No-Knuckling Training sock helps to correct proprioception issues in dogs who drag their paws and struggle with their paw placement. While wearing the training socks pets relearn who to walk properly without scraping their paws. The No-Knuckling Training Sock is part of our Veterinary Exclusive line.
Canine splints and dog leg braces provide joint support and stability in pets with leg injuries. A dog leg brace supports a pet’s leg injury, allowing them to walk, stand, and bear weight as they heal. Canine Knee Brace helps with arthritis, knee instability, and other injuries.
Splints are good options for dogs that have lower limb injuries that are not serious enough to warrant a wheelchair or a cart. Dog splints and leg braces should only be used under the care and advisement of a pet professional. This device for your pet’s legs will give support to affected legs without taking away a dog’s mobility, allowing the paw to touch the ground. Every dog is shaped differently, an adjustable dog splint adjusts to perfectly fit your dog, providing a custom fitted brace without the added expense. Featuring an adjustable width and angle, the adjustable pet splint can be widened to accommodate a bandaged leg and angle to work for a front or back leg.
Back and Hip Braces for Dogs
Spinal conditions like Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) can cause severe back pain and mobility loss among dogs, especially among the corgi and dachshund breeds. Providing a canine back support system can help relieve back pain as well as provide spinal support as dogs heal. The dog back brace features a patented two-tier support system to stabilize the spine while supporting the surrounding back muscles. Each back support features memory foam inlays that conform to a dog’s shape for a custom fit and metal support spines to reduce range of motion while supporting the back, helping your dog’s back to heal.
Hip dysplasia is among the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs, leading to joint inflammation and hip pain that makes every step painful. A dog hip brace wraps around the hip to reduce hip pain and provide a sense of lift that makes it easier to walk. In most cases, a dog whose mobility is impacted by their hip pain actually needs a dog wheelchair for improved mobility, not a hip brace.
Dog Wheelchairs
Owners whose dogs have lost much of their mobility sometimes turn to dog wheelchairs–or dog carts, as they are sometimes called–in the hopes that these dog walking aids will restore mobility to their canines’ lives. These dog carts are great for dogs with degenerative disc disorder because they help take the weight off of dogs’ damaged parts. Those who are considering purchasing such a dog mobility device should understand how they work, how they attach to the dogs, and how to use them. Dog wheelchairs allow pets to run, play, and even swim again, getting the exercise they need to live happy healthy lives. There are various types of dog wheelchairs, and owners should do some research or consult their dogs’ veterinarians before making a final decision about these pet mobility aids.
There are different types of dog wheelchairs available at different price ranges. Some dog carts come in generic sizes for small, medium, or large dogs. Dog wheelchairs chosen based on the dog’s weight are often poor-fitting (because weight is NOT an indicator of size). They also often require complex assembly. Older-style dog wheelchairs are custom made to fit the specific dog, require a number of detailed measurements, and are difficult to re-sell because the owner needs to find a dog of the same size. The new adjustable wheelchairs are the most popular because they can be adjusted to fit any size dog perfectly, can change as the dog’s health changes or grows, and are easy to re-adjust for use on other dogs. Most dog wheelchairs sold today are the Adjustable type.
By far the most popular is the Walkin’ Wheels Adjustable Dog Wheelchair. This chair requires only a single simple measure to fit, and added features such as front leg support, mid-belly support, leg stirrups, and sport harnesses are available. This dog mobility device allows once immobile dogs to walk, do their business, and exercise again, saving dogs from spending their final years unable to move around. Owners interested in purchasing this dog cart can order one online or through most veterinarians.
Dog walking aids are important for dogs that have lost their mobility mojo; just because a dog’s body is old does not mean that the mind and drive to exercise have aged as well. Dog mobility is important to both canines and their owners, and these pet mobility aids will help both pets and owners regain a more active lifestyle. Whether a dog has arthritis, a ligament injury, or degenerative myelopathy, dog mobility aids can help canines overcome their handicaps in the same way that canes and wheelchairs can help humans maintain mobility in the face of aging and injury. Age and injury do not necessarily have to mean inactivity.
Indoor Mobility Solutions for Handicapped Pets
Getting around inside the home is difficult for paralyzed pets. A wheelchair alternative, such as a drag bag or scooter is a safe at-home mobility solution. The drag bag protects a dog’s chest and legs from scrapes, abrasions, and sores caused by dragging themselves across the floor. The drag bag makes it easy for a paralyzed dog to safely move in any direction across flooring. Indoor mobility products allow your dog or cat to move freely around the home, easily maneuvering around tight corners, furniture, and narrow doorways.
