Wheelchairs For Dogs
Wheelchairs for Dogs with Disabilities
If your dog has some type of disability that limits the use of his hind legs, consider using wheelchairs for dogs to help him get around like he used to. Wheelchairs for dogs with degenerative or disk diseases, spinal problems, as well as neurology problems, among others – can give the dog a new lease on life.
These wonderful inventions can make such a difference in your pets’ life, a change that just a few years back didn’t exist.
Make sure that your dog has strong front legs before buying any kind of wheelchairs for dogs. He will need to be able to tow his entire body around with those front legs. If your dog is old or weak, he might not be able to handle using a wheelchair.
There have been other circumstances where a dog wheelchair has not worked for some dogs either. For example, dogs that are stubborn or just refuse to use a wheelchair will not be good candidates for a dog wheelchair.
Most dogs become accustomed to a wheelchair within a week, sometimes even within a few days. In some cases it may be necessary to do some training with wheelchairs for dogs in order for your pet to adjust to using the equipment.
Dogs usually learn how to walk using a wheelchair quite quickly though and will be zipping around like normal within a short time.
However, a dog should not be left alone while using their wheelchair for their own safety. There is a chance that the wheelchair could get stuck in something leaving the dog helpless or that the wheelchair could tip over.
If the dog should experience either of these conditions, it could become traumatized, which would have a negative effect on using wheelchairs for dogs in the future.
Dogs can associate traumatic experiences with the objects or people that were involved, leaving the dog not wanting to use a wheelchair any longer. That would be very unfortunate and would be a huge setback in getting the dog back to living a semi-normal life again.So, make sure to keep an eye on your dog while it is using a wheelchair.
Another situation that a dog owner will want to avoid is letting their disabled or handicapped pet use a wheelchair while going up and down steps. It is simply too difficult for a dog to do on their own.
If your dog has exceptionally strong front legs, you could help him use the stairs by lifting the wheelchair so that he only has to carry the weight of his upper body. Even this should not be done on steps that are very long, but can be accomplished on a short flight of steps.
You may be concerned about finding a wheelchair that will be a proper fit for your particular pet. This doesn’t have to be a big concern as dog wheelchairs can be built to fit each individual dog by submitting the proper measurements, and by finding a manufacturer that builds customized wheelchairs for dogs.