Mobility issues and walking difficulties can affect any size pet, even our smallest fur babies. Nothing is harder than watching your dog struggle to stand and walk on his own. An adjustable dog wheelchair is designed to support your dog’s legs and give him the freedom to move around and regain his independence.
Pet mobility issues affect all breeds, ages, and animals of different sizes. Small dogs and cats are no exception. Your pet may be small, but even the smallest animals are at risk of weak hind legs, joint pain and paralysis. Helping your little dog walk again can be as simple as getting him the right set of wheels!
Benefits of a Small Dog Wheelchair
Every pet owner with a toy dog knows they love nothing more than to play and run, which means they need a wheelchair that can keep up with them both outside and in the house. When an animal is unable to move, it can become depressed, gain weight, lose strength, and suffer muscle atrophy. Getting them a wheelchair changes your dog’s life and improves their overall quality of life.
If you injured your leg, you would use crutches to help you get around, a dog wheelchair does the same thing. Your dog’s wheelchair gives your pet the leg support they need to maintain balance and move around easily. A dog wheelchair won’t make your dog lazy, it’s there to help your dog stay active and walk better. Many dogs in wheelchairs continue to walk on all fours, the wheelchair simply gives them the stability and support they need to keep moving.
Why would a small dog need a wheelchair?
There are many reasons why a small dog or cat may need a wheelchair. In most cases, a wheelchair is needed when an animal loses leg strength or is unable to walk or support its own weight due to a change in mobility. Here are some of the causes of mobility problems in small animals:
- traumatic injury
- Intervertebral Disc Disease or IVDD – very common in Dachshund and Corgi breeds
- Hip dysplasia or arthritis
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Cerebellar hypoplasia
- Neurological state
- Back problems or herniated disc
Whether your dog is recovering from an injury and only needs a wheelchair to heal or is permanently paralyzed, a small dog wheelchair will allow him to continue getting the exercise he needs. .
Finding the right wheelchair for your small pet
Loss of mobility can happen to any pet, but some breeds are at higher risk for certain mobility issues. Understanding your pet’s mobility needs will help you find the right small dog wheelchair for your pet.
dachshund wheelchair
Dachshunds are a small dog with a giant personality! But did you know that a dachshund’s long body can actually lead to back problems? A dachshund’s long body and short legs put it at high risk for spinal injury, ruptured disc, and a condition called IVDD. Most spinal conditions affecting dachshunds also impact their hind legs and lead to hind leg weakness or paralysis.
A Dachshund wheelchair should comfortably accommodate their unique body shape, small size, and properly support their spine. The Walkin’ Wheels Dachshund Wheelchair adjusts in length, width and height to perfectly fit your doxie’s needs. The Dachshund Mobility Cart is available in two frame sizes: Mini and Small. The Mini Dachshund Wheelchair is perfect for Miniature Dachshunds. The small dachshund wheelchair fits standard size doxies.
Each wheelchair includes a waist belt to provide additional spinal support directly below the abdomen. Give your handicapped dachshund the support he needs to run and play!
cat wheelchair
Dogs aren’t the only pets with mobility issues, sometimes cats need a wheelchair too! Conditions such as cerebellar hypoplasia, neural issues, and spinal cord trauma can all impact a cat’s mobility. Diagnosing a cat with arthritis or similar conditions can be difficult because cats are masters at masking pain and hiding their symptoms. Most cats that require a wheelchair suffer from a more severe and visible loss of mobility with either a complete inability to maintain balance, weight bearing, or rear paralysis.
Since cats are nimble and quick on their feet, they need a wheelchair that can keep up with them and maneuver in tight spaces. The Walkin’ Wheels Cat Wheelchair is available in a range of sizes to accommodate any size cat, from a kitten to an adult Maine Coon cat. Although many cats rely on rear wheelchairs, some cats actually prefer a four wheel or quad wheelchair (even those with strong front legs).
The Walkin’ Wheels Cat Rear Wheelchair can easily be converted to a full support wheelchair at any time.
Corgi Wheelchair
Both the Pembroke Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi have a distinctive silhouette, with an elongated back and short legs. The corgi body is part of what makes them so irresistibly cute, but that can also mean mobility issues. Intervertebral disc disease or IVDD can prevent your corgi from standing and walking without the aid of a corgi wheelchair.
The Walkin’ Wheels corgi wheelchair is specially designed to fit the long body of a corgi. The corgi cart has a longer wheelchair frame than the standard small wheelchair, allowing for a perfect fit every time. Give your corgi comfortable support. The corgi mobility cart helps keep your corgi active, so they can get the exercise they need.
French bulldog wheelchair
Small but mighty, the French Bulldog has a small, strong body. Frenchies are at risk for herniated discs, IVDD, and a mobility condition called degenerative myelopathy that may require them to need a rear dog wheelchair.
A French Bulldog wheelchair should fit their stocky builds and the Walkin’ Wheels Small Dog Wheelchair can fit their larger bodies comfortably. Because Frenchies tend to be a bit heavier than other small dogs, most French Bulldogs will have a larger 8-inch wheel to help them maneuver their cart easily. The wheelchair harness fits comfortably across a Frenchie’s broad chest, although many French Bulldogs upgrade their standard harness to a small front vest for an even better fit.
Small dog breeds prone to mobility issues:
There are several small dog breeds that are considered to be at higher risk for mobility issues. These mobility issues can range from difficulty walking, weakness in the back legs, to complete paralysis. Here are some of the most common small breeds that benefit from a dog wheelchair:
- Dachshund
- boston terrier
- french bulldog
- Chihuahua
- dwarf poodle
- Shih Tzu
- Pekingese
- jack russell terrier
- Basset Hound*
- Corgi*
* Due to their long bodies, the Corgi and Bassett Hound can do better in a Walkin’ Wheels Corgi cart. This wheelchair has a longer frame designed to better fit their long backs and torsos.
How to Put a Dog in a Small Wheelchair
Conclusion
A small dog wheelchair not only improves your dog’s mobility, it will change the life of your best friend. With the help and support of a rear dog wheelchair, your pet can stay active, healthy, and enjoy every minute with their family.
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