A dog wheelchair has a variety of uses for senior and younger dogs alike. Our furry friends aren’t always as limber as they once were. That’s just a fact of life that we all usually face eventually. But also, sometimes they have operations on their hips, or suffer from a ruptured disc, a knee issue or arthritis, which don’t help either.
In all the above situations, the best dog wheelchair that fits them perfectly will assist in supporting them. This way, they still have their freedom of movement to enjoy their lives more.
Here’s a look at some of the benefits of getting your best friend a dog wheelchair to use.
Better, Faster Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is benefitted by the use of wheelchairs designed for dogs. This is because they support their bodies and frame in the right areas to take the weight off their hips, knees and other limbs while they’re still healing from an operation. Instead of not being able to get around, they retain their mobility to walk in the park and lightly use their legs as they regain strength and health.
Rear Body Weight Support
Most wheelchairs for dogs primarily provide rear support rather than front area support. This is because much of the work of getting up, standing and running around is borne by their rear legs and hips.
While a dog can get about on one front leg if they have to, this is much harder to do with a bad rear leg because it’s usually too much weight to balance.
By providing rear support, they regain their confidence to be friendly with other dogs when going for walks. It avoids them becoming isolated and possibly depressed from a lack of both contact with other dogs and other people.
Front Body Support Available
Front body support is often an addition to a rear supporting dog wheelchair. This is useful when they’re weaker both at the front and rear possibly due to a bone density issue or being arthritic as a result of their advancing age.
Front support can also be removed as they’re healing up and no longer need it, while keeping the rear support in place as long as it’s required.
Lighter Wheelchairs for Less Powerful Dogs
Dog wheelchairs can be adjusted in width, length and height to accommodate different sized dogs. There are also options that are lighter which make it easier for weaker dogs to still make use of them.
When a dog is suffering from an illness that both affects their mobility and physical strength, then a lighter wheelchair is a good option to use.
A Happy Dog
When dogs don’t have the freedom of movement, they get upset. Most pooches are outgoing and friendly. They want to look around, check things out, sniff about and be engaged in life. Unless they’re used to life as an indoor dog that dislikes trips outdoors, then he or she will likely feel depressed at the point when they realize they cannot stand up for very long, if at all.
Using a wheelchair custom made for dogs, it offers the freedom back that they miss. Once they get used to how it feels to be hooked into it and to move around, their sense of enjoyment for life will return again.
There are many benefits to giving your dog a wheelchair to help them heal sooner or to get their mobility back. Pick wisely from the models available at places like K9 Carts to get the most suitable one for your pet.
