Help! My Dog Needs a Wheelchair!

By: Handicapped Pets Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Help! My Dog Needs a Wheelchair!

First of all, realize that you are not alone. There is a vibrant and growing number of dog owners and lovers like yourself on the internet. They have grouped together in order pool resources and better learn how to take care of their disabled best friends and furry family members. See HandicappedPets Advice and Help Section.

What do you do with a dog that has become unable to walk? Not that long ago, when a dog owner learned their companion was going to need a wheelchair, there were very few options available. Many dogs were needlessly euthanized. Now there are advances not only in canine medicine, but in the development of assistive devices specifically made for dogs. Dog carts are now available to suit almost any breed of dog, and come in a number of different styles. A dog wheelchair is a perfect way to help an animal that has lost the use of its hind or even front legs,

How do I make sure it fits?
Fitting the wheelchair to the dog is of utmost importance. Failure to do so could result in painful swellings and possibly sores on the disabled animal. The Walkin Wheels dog wheelchairs have an innovative solution to the problem of proper canine cart fit. It is an online wizard that assists you with the entire process, and only requires one measurement. The system seems far superior to other companies fitting procedures, which are very complicated and even confusing. Of particular note is the Walkin Wheels return policy - the company representatives that assist on any orders are very helpful. They are all dog owners and have helped lots of first time dog wheelchair users before!

If for some reason something goes wrong and the cart doesn't fit, the company has a very liberal return policy. Carts are delivered overnight direct from the US manufacturer, so there's no wait. Other companies take weeks to build and deliver their carts, and the fitting process is so intensely custom that wheelchairs that don't fit have to be refitted and manufactured all over again. It's a very long process. Plus, what on earth do you do with a custom-fit dog wheelchair that your dog has either outgrown or doesn't need any more! The Walkin Wheels carts are simple to adjust, and, in our opinion, the design is well made and fits better to begin with.
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Canine dog carts are built to accomodate nearly any dog, 20 lbs and over. Custom carts are available for smaller dogs. Larger, (over 150 lbs) very active dogs might need a reinforced Walkin Wheels cart. Only one measurement, from the floor to the Fold of the Flank of the dog (as diagrammed on the website) is needed.

Is it easy for me to use?
In the past, canine wheelchairs were designed to suit the dog well enough, but were not very owner friendly. They were difficult to transport, did not fit well in the back seat of a car, were very heavy, did not fold flat and were, well...ugly. The Walkin Wheels dog cart folds flat and easily fits in the included tote bag. It is lightweight, 5 to 7 pounds, is adjustable in case the health or weight changes, and simple to use, right out of the box. With its bright blue powder coated aluminum frame and rough and ready black wheels, it s pretty darn good looking on my dog, too!

Where can dogs in wheelchairs go?
Most dog carts are designed for inhome use, sidewalks, and walks in the park. Some are bulky and do not fit all that well in an indoor environment. We have found that with the Walkin Wheels cart, the dog can go just about anywhere he did before. Dogs can swim, mountain climb, hike, or play in the backyard. They can go regain their mobility in the house or down the street.

What a wonderful invention!