How to Choose A Dog Wheelchair to Aid Injured or Elderly Pet?

Answer 1

Just as a wheelchair can help a human with mobility problems, a dog wheelchair can make a world of difference to the quality of life for an injured or elderly animal. Often a dog that is injured in an accident or suffering from a chronic medical condition such as Arthritis or hip dysplasia, loses temporary or permanent use of its back legs. A dog wheelchair can help any dog experiencing weakness, paralysis or pain in their rear legs regain some degree of mobility again.

In order for a dog wheelchair to effectively help an animal, it must be the proper size to accommodate the weight and size of the dog. In addition to choosing the right size wheelchair for your dog, be sure that the dog wheelchair adjusts to accommodate the dog’s length, height and width as comfortably as possible.

Any canine using a dog wheelchair must have at least some use of their front legs in order to benefit from using a wheelchair. Once the animal is properly strapped into a wheelchair that accommodates their specific size and weight, the rear wheels of the wheelchair take the place of the dog’s back legs and help him to learn to walk or run as though he had four fully functioning legs again.

A dog wheelchair can help a dog experiencing hip dysplasia, partial or complete paralysis of the back legs, fractured spine, a lumbar or spinal disc injury, a neurological disorder, arthritis, birth defect or recovery from surgery involving the rear legs. Some veterinarians recommend use of a dog wheelchair on a temporary basis while a dog is recovering from surgery or as a permanent solution to a physical problem that limits the pet’s ability to walk, run or be active.

It’s important to give the dog patience, love and time while they are getting used to using a dog wheelchair. It’s important that the dog associates being strapped into the wheelchair with fun, pleasure and excitement, so it’s essential that the dog owner doesn’t lose patience during the training period of using the wheelchair. Some dogs easily adapt to using a dog wheelchair within a week or two, while other take up to 30 days.

Dog wheelchairs are designed to make it easy for a dog to urinate or deficate while using the wheelchair, so regular walks to do their business can be resumed by using a dog wheelchair. A properly fitted dog wheelchair can help to re-energize a dog who was formerly listless or depressed due to rear leg problems that have limited the animal’s ability to be active.