Choosing the right dog wheelchair for your pet doesn’t have to be challenging. Want to become a dog wheelchair expert? Here are five things you need to know before buying a dog wheelchair.
1. How Dog Wheelchairs Work
The Walkin’ Wheels dog wheelchair is designed to get your senior or disabled pet back on their feet. Dog wheelchairs provide mobility assistance for pets dealing with hind leg weakness or paralysis.
A rear wheel dog wheelchair is the most common style of mobility cart. The wheelchair supports a pet’s back legs and hind end to help your pet gets the exercise they need.
Different Wheelchair Parts Explained
1. The Wheelchair Frame
The frame is the main support of a dog’s wheelchair. The Walkin’ Wheels is made of a lightweight, durable extruded aluminum (similar to a bicycle frame). In the back of the cart, is a width extender, and by using the different push buttons the wheelchair can be made narrower or wider to best fit the pet. Similarly, the silver side extenders, extend out the front of the wheelchair frame allowing you to make the wheelchair longer or shorter as needed.
2. The Front Harness
Each rear Walkin’ Wheels wheelchairs comes with a three-point harness with support straps that sit over the shoulders, across the chest, and behind the front legs for a secure fit. The harness helps to keep your dog’s wheelchair in place and clips into the side extenders for safety.
3. The Wheels and Struts
The wheels and struts attach to the legs of the wheelchair frame. Each strut features push button adjustability so that wheelchair will comfortably fit the height of the pet. The size wheels and struts are determined based off your pet’s rear leg height measurement.
4. The Rear Leg Rings
The rear leg rings attach to the back of your pet’s wheelchair to support it’s hind end from underneath. Your pet’s back legs will be place on either side of the two “C’s” to create a saddle to support them.
5. Stirrups and Belly Belt
Both the stirrups and belly belt are optional, and not every pet will need to use them. For paralyzed pets, the stirrups are used to safely lift a dog’s feet up off the ground and prevent dragging. The belly belt can be used to support the center of a pet’s body, this is most often used for pet’s with a bad back or if their back dips down.
When to Get a Dog Wheelchair
It’s never too early to get your dog a wheelchair. If your dog is stumbling, losing their balance or tiring easily it’s time to consider a wheelchair. It’s true that many wheelchair dogs are paralyzed or suffered a traumatic injury but, that’s not the case with every dog. Many wheelchair dogs still walk on all four paws and even stand on their own. The Walkin’ Wheels provides support, allowing your dog to stand upright and get the exercise they so desperately need. Even dogs that can still move their back legs, benefit from using a wheelchair!
Older dogs who tire easily on long walks or whose joint’s ache from arthritis or hip dysplasia can greatly benefit from a wheelchair. The wheelchair supports them from underneath, relieving the stress on their joints which allows your dog to walk with ease! How you dog uses their wheelchair is up to you! Many dogs use the wheelchair every day, while other pets only on days when they need a little extra help.
For dogs recovering from injury or surgery the Walkin’ Wheels can help them get back on their feet faster. A wheelchair can even be a wonderful addition to your dog’s rehabilitation program!
Wheelchairs Help Dogs With:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Arthritis
- Paralysis
- Degenerative Myelopathy or DM
- IVDD
- Neurological Issues
- Surgical Recovery
- Injuries
- Improve Balance and Stability
2. Choosing the Right Wheelchair for Your Dog
Choosing the right cart for your dog can be overwhelming. How do you know if a dog wheelchair is the right choice for your pet? Luckily, the first step is an easy one, a simple test to help determine if your dog is a good candidate for a wheelchair. The towel test helps you to check how much leg strength your senior pet has.
To determine the level of support your dog needs, try this simple towel test:
Depending on your pet’s condition and mobility needs, they may require different levels of support. If your pet can easily work forward with your aid, they need a rear wheel dog wheelchair. If during the towel test your dog can step forward, but their front legs splay outward they need the support of a 4-wheel wheelchair.
Rear Dog Wheelchairs
Rear support wheelchairs are ideal for pets with hind leg weakness, injury or paralysis. The rear wheelchair supports your dog from underneath, providing balance and stability. This allows your dog to stand, walk, run and play again! Pets with completely paralyzed rear legs can use the stirrups to elevate your dog’s rear paws safely off the ground, preventing injury caused from scraping or dragging feet.
Full Support Wheelchair
A four wheel or quad wheelchair is perfect for dogs who are experiencing weakened limbs in the front and back legs. Your dog’s front legs must be strong enough to drive and steer their quad wheelchair. The Full Support wheelchair is a great option for dog’ with progressive diseases like Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) that will worsen over time.
Adjusting to Life on Wheels
The transition into a wheelchair is an easy one for most pets. Dogs want to be moving and they learn quickly that their wheelchair is going to help them. Even dogs who haven’t run in months are so happy to be back on their feet that when using their Walkin’ Wheels for the first time, they take off! The transformation is incredible. You can see the joy in their face as they run for the first time in months.
If your dog doesn’t take off running right away, the wheelchair may just need a few minor adjustments to make them more comfortable. If you’re not sure the wheelchair is set up perfectly, snap a few photos and send them to our Wheelchair Experts to review. With a few tweaks and some encouragement from you, your dog will be running around in no time!
3. Key Wheelchair Features to Consider
Now that you know your dog needs a wheelchair, here are some key wheelchair features to help you select the best dog wheelchair for your pet:
Size
Since dog’s come in all shapes and sizes, it’s important to choose one that can be sized to perfectly fit their needs.
The Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair is available in four frame sizes, Mini, Small, Medium and Large. And can accommodate pets as small as 2 lbs. and as large as 180 lbs. The Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair is fully adjustable with adjustments for width, height, and length.
The Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair frame is constructed of lightweight, durable aluminum. It’s light enough for even the smallest dogs to maneuver with ease and durable enough for your dog to hike up a mountain!
Size is especially important when dealing with large breed dogs. Custom carts can be too big or bulky to travel easily with. Some may not even fit into your car! Choose a wheelchair that can fold flat and easily packed.
Choose the Right Wheels
Choosing the right wheels can be tough. Air tires or foam wheels? Both wheel styles work well and are great for different reasons. You want to select the wheel that’s the right fit for your (and your pup’s) lifestyle!
Foam Wheels: By far the most popular wheel type! They are made of a dense, rugged foam and are very durable. These wheels can’t be punctured and will never go flat. They are also durable enough to take on any terrain.
Air-Filled Tires: provide a more natural suspension and great for active dogs that like to run, hike and navigate over rougher terrain.
Benefits of a Fully Adjustable Wheelchair
A fully adjustable wheelchair is going to be more versatile. And you might be able to use it for multiple dogs.
The Walkin’ Wheels features push button adjustability, allowing you to easily adjust the height, length and width, allowing you to fine tune the size to perfectly fit your dog! An adjustable cart gives your dog a customized fit without the custom price.
Will it Adapt to Fit Your Dog’s Needs?
Often mobility loss begins with weakness in a dog’s rear legs and as the condition progresses the dog’s mobility worsens over time. In many cases, the weakness slowly works its way up the spine and eventually impacts the front leg strength as well. To ensure that your dog continues to get the support they need, choose a wheelchair that can adapt as your dog’s mobility and health needs change.
The Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair is designed to adapt to your dog’s changing health needs. It easily converts from a rear wheel wheelchair into a full support four-wheel wheelchair. Giving your dog support in both the front and rear legs when they need it.
4. Can My Dog Go to the Bathroom in a Wheelchair?
Yes, your dog can relieve themselves while using their Walkin’ Wheels! Both male and female pets can pee and poop freely while using their wheelchair.
Rear leg rings support your pet from underneath. And are positioned for your pet to comfortably relieve themselves. For dogs with a long tail, simply place your dog’s tail over the back bar of the wheelchair to keep it from being soiled.
Not only can they go to the bathroom while using their Walkin’ Wheels, but it may help them to go! Injured and disabled dogs tend to be less active which can impact their internal functions. Once they are in their wheelchair, they are standing upright and moving more. This encourages their body to function correctly and relieve themselves more naturally.
5. Wheelchairs Aren’t Just for Dogs Anymore!
There was a time not too long ago when it was a shock to see a dog on wheels, but that’s not the case anymore! Now more than ever, pets are family! Pet parents around the world are willing to go above and beyond to help their fur baby. There was a time not too long ago, where it might have seemed odd to see a dog in a wheelchair. But that’s not true anymore!
Wheelchairs are recommended and commonly prescribed by pet care professionals for countless mobility issues and conditions. They’ve become a key component in animal rehabilitation and treatment. And the pet mobility movement has spread far beyond dogs. All different kinds of animals have used the Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair, including cats, rabbits, sheep, goats, ducks, chickens, turtles and even a raccoon.
Still have questions? We’re here to help! Contact our Wheelchair Experts at 888-253-0777.
Dogs Enjoying Life with Walkin’ Wheels
Guest Author:
Dr. Sarah J. Wooten DVM, CVJ
Dr. Sarah J. Wooten DVM, CVJ is a small animal veterinarian, writer, public speaker, and established leader in veterinary medicine. Her passion in writing and speaking from the heart on client communication and service.
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