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Rough dog chairs are very helpful if your dog needs help to move., either because of old age, recovery from an operation or because of illness. In any case, they are a great help, although we can feel a bit lost when buying one.
Therefore, We have prepared this article dedicated to wheelchairs for dogs with which we will talk about the most recommended models, as well as advice when buying one and its different types. In short, we will try to solve all the doubts that we can.
The best wheelchair for dogs
Very comfortable adjustable wheelchair
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This wheelchair is one of the most comfortable you will find for your dog. It is made of aluminum, which makes it very light, and consists of a series of straps with which you can adjust it so that your dog has its hind legs held very comfortably. The downside is that this model does not have sizes, so you will have to measure the distance from hip to hip of the animal, as well as its height up to the bum, to see if the size is adjusted properly or not. Plus, it includes a free strap!
Wheelchair for small dogs
The first thing to note about this wheelchair is that it is a model specially designed for small dogs up to 10 kilos. For the rest, it is made of very light but resistant aluminum tubes. The rear wheels can be adjusted to various heights, in addition, it also has two holders for the rear legs. To finish, it is a very beautiful model in purple.
Wheelchair for large dogs
This other model of wheelchairs for dogs, on the other hand, is suitable for large dogs up to 30 kilos. It is very resistant, it is also made with aluminum and it has two interesting supports for the rear legs with antifriction to avoid chafing. The wheels are made of rubber, so they are also suitable for taking with ease on a walk thanks to their great resistance.
Drag bag
Drag bags are a very interesting and especially comfortable product for your dog to take home and avoid rubbing the wound or simply to protect the hind legs from the ground. Operation is very simple, as it consists of a nylon bag with a breathable mesh and a harness so that it does not fall off with use. In addition, you can choose between different sizes the one that best suits your pet.
Restraint harness
Restraint harnesses are another alternative to wheelchairs. They are very similar to a normal harness, only they consist of a kind of handle that lifts the dog and helps him walk, relieving him of the tension he suffers in the back, so it is recommended for those dogs that have not completely lost mobility on the hind legs. This one comes in two sizes, M and L, and although it is somewhat difficult to put on, it is very comfortable for them and helps them a lot.
Four wheel chair
Another model of wheelchair for dogs, however, this one consists of four wheels. It is recommended for animals up to 8 kilos, it has several adjustable straps to adjust it to the needs of your dog and it is made of aluminum, making it very light (in fact, the device only weighs about two kilos).
Adjustable aluminum ramp
And we end up with a product that, Despite not being a wheelchair in itself, it is something that must be taken into account when our dog needs one: a ramp. This is made of aluminum and a very soft and non-slippery fabric, in addition, it is adjustable to different heights to help your dog climb stairs or even the sofa.
Before buying a wheelchair
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Of course, one cannot buy a wheelchair without first having been recommended by the vet, since it is not a recommended accessory for healthy dogs. So first we have to make sure you need it.
Symptoms to watch out for
First of all, There are a number of symptoms that you should be aware of that may indicate that your dog may need extra help to move, For example:
- waste of equilibrium
- little coordination
- Difficulties when andar
- Pain
- Incontinence
- Licks the joints of the legs (ankles ...)
- Paralysis total or partial
- It falls easily
- Limps
- You have difficulty standing
Visit to the vet
If we detect any of the above symptoms, it will be time to take our pet to the vet. There they will tell us what this loss of mobility may be due to thanks to a physical examination and various tests, which may include, among others, X-rays and blood tests, and what we can do about it. One of the possibilities is that they recommend a wheelchair.
In summary, The important thing is that we do not use a wheelchair if the vet has not recommended it before, who will know the condition of our dog thoroughly and will know how to recommend us how to solve it.
What are dog wheelchairs for?
As you can imagine, wheelchairs for dogs are not an accessory that one buys for fun, but responds to a very specific need, when your pet's back legs can't or shouldn't move. This can be due to a number of reasons:
- In the first place, the dog may have some degenerative illness on the back that causes you to lose mobility in the hind legs. This can even be an inherited condition that causes you to suffer from hind leg weakness. Other diseases can cause it, for example, a tumor or diabetes.
- La edad It can be another factor of weight for which the dog needs the help of a wheelchair. For example, it can cause muscle atrophy, arthritis ...
- Finally, the wheelchair may be necessary if your dog is recovering from some operation in the back.
Types of wheelchairs for dogs
There are different types of wheelchairs for dogs that can be very well adapted to your needs, either taking into account that it is going to be a permanent or temporary aid.
classical
The most classic wheelchair usually consists of two metal tubes with two wheels which are placed at the back of the dog with a series of straps to move the hind legs off the ground and secure the wheels to the body of the animal. They are the most comfortable to go for a walk. In addition, they allow the dog to relieve himself calmly, and can usually take 15 minutes to an hour.
Lifting harness
Another solution, although somewhat more cumbersome for both the dog and the owner, are lifting harnesses. These are a kind of bag with handles that keep the dog's back elevated so that it can walk better. In turn, there are different types of harnesses, depending on the needs of the dog and its size.
Dragger
Finally, the tows are ideal to take around the house, although it is not recommended to take them outside, since they end up lost of dirt. They are a bag secured in the gut of the animal that allows it to move only with the front legs, while keeping the rear ones protected from the ground.
Tips for you and your dog
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If your dog needs to carry a wheelchair, surely it is a very new situation for both of us. That is why this series of tips can be useful:
Choose the chair well
When choosing the chair, especially if it is the first, take into account the needs of the dog. It can be useful, at least this first time, to go to a physical store or a veterinarian who knows how to advise us in a more personal way. On the other hand, it is highly recommended that, even if it is expensive items, do not skimp on expenses and take into account the comfort of the dog.
Prepare the house for the chair
As with people, dogs will need the house where they live to be fully adapted to their new situation. Therefore, it may be a very good idea to install ramps so that you can more easily climb up the steps or even onto the sofa. You can usually find these items in specialty stores and on Amazon.
Train your dog
Don't expect the animal to get used to the wheelchair overnight. As usual, you will need to adapt to change little by little. To do this, you must train him to carry the chair, but also to get used to relieving himself while he is wearing it.
Where to buy dog wheelchairs
There are more places than meets the eye in which we can buy one of these products. For example: uterine
- Amazon It is one of the places where you can find this type of product. We will find quite a few different models, although the downside is that we cannot see them in person. The good thing, however, is that their return policy is very good, so if the product does not convince us we can return it easily.
- En specialized web pages like TiendaAnimal and Kiwoko we will also find this type of products. Being a little more specialized, we can count on a more personalized help, with which it is possible that we find the product we are looking for in a much easier way.
- Finally, and the most recommended if you feel a bit lost or are looking for a very specific product, are the orthopedic tents for animals as Ortocanis. They are the ones with the most variety, in addition to having a great quality.
Wheelchairs for dogs are very helpful for those animals that, due to age or illness, have difficulty moving. Tell us, does your dog need any? Have you tried any of the above products? What was your experience like?