by Patricia Jackson
A dog lift harness is a set of straps and bands that wrap around your dog's underside with a handle for assisted lifting. By doing this, the harness takes the weight off your pooch's legs, spine, and hips, which comes in very handy if he/she is old or injured.
However, these units come in multiple designs and materials, whereby some are suited to work better in different conditions. In this article, we look into the best dog lift harnesses that are suitable for these situations, so read through and take your pick!
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
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1. Coodeo Dog Lift Harness (Best Overall) |
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2. Labra Dog Sling Lift (Best Budget) |
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3. GingerLead Dog Harness (Best for Recovering Dogs) |
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4. Loobani Portable Dog Sling (Best for Back Legs) |
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5. Outward Hound 21005 (Best for Travel) |
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6. Pick For Life Dog Lift Harness (Best for Female Dogs) |
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7. Voopet Dog Sling (Best Reflective) |
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With its professional design and full-body support, Coodeo's piece is the best product in this dog lift harness review.
The harness is professionally built for aging dogs or those with arthritis, joint injuries, rheumatism, etc. Using your support, this design helps them walk, hop on/off cars, or climb/descend a flight of stairs stress-free.
While doing so, the harness offers full-body support, so you won't have to worry about your dog tipping over. Additionally, this support means you can use the product for dogs with fore or hind leg injuries.
Soft, breathable material makes up the inner lining so that your dog remains comfortable inside. The harness is easy to clean via handwashing and natural drying.
The only caveats are a lack of reflective material for safe nighttime use and some difficulty in putting on. However, this is due to the Velcro straps and buckle straps that form the full-body coverage.
Pros:
Cons:
The Labra dog sling lift is a reasonably priced harness that is durably built using heavy-duty material that holds any breed (up to 140 lbs.). On top of this, it has a soft and comfortable fleece lining that is gentle to your dog's midsection.
Being a sling, the product is easy to put on. While assisting your dog, the product is designed to keep you from experiencing back pains because it has adjustable straps. As such, you won't have to bend over as you lift your pooch.
However, the product lacks reflective material for safe nighttime use and it does not provide full-body support.
Pros:
Cons:
GingerLead's dog harness is vet-recommend and widely used in veterinary hospitals to help dogs recovering from hip or back surgery. In addition to this, the product is used to assist senior dogs suffering from various diseases and disabled pets.
That said, the unit is the best lifting harness for large dogs because it can carry up to 250 lbs., with the option for male and female pooches. This is made possible by a durable nylon pack cloth exterior. The interior has a soft corduroy lining for comfort.
You also get a detachable leash for better control. The whole piece is machine washable for easy cleaning. However, it is expensive but worth the money.
Pros:
Cons:
This harness is specifically designed for assisting hind legs and it does a good job. For starters, the piece has a thick, soft lining with a sheepskin-like covering that is gentle to the narrowband it makes contact with. This covering is superior-grade cotton that won't irritate your dog's skin.
Additionally, the harness is easy to use as it does not get in the way when your female dog needs to go.
After use, the unit is machine washable for easy cleaning, and a portable gift bag is included for storage. A reflective nylon band runs through the sling to improve low light visibility while adjustable straps give you a comfortable bend-free hold of your dog.
On the downside, the harness is not suitable for male dogs because it lacks a cutout. It is perfect for female pooches.
Pros:
Cons:
Due to its large padded torso band, Outward Hound's 21005 is the perfect lift harness to use to assist dogs in and out of cars. This size gives a wide surface area that supports your pooch firmly during this assist.
Aside from that, the product is one of the best dog mobility harnesses because it has an adjustable hook and loop closure. This fits snugly on medium & large dogs, and combined with the large torso band, ensures your pooch is supported perfectly for easy mobility.
A Velcro handle gives a comfortable hold of your pet by holding the 17-inch handle straps together. However, these straps are not adjustable, so you will have to bend over at times.
Pros:
Cons:
If you have a sick or elderly female dog, Pick For Life's dog lift harness is the perfect candidate to consider. It is specifically designed for these dogs because it lacks a cutout.
That said, the unit is very helpful as a rehabilitation strap for dogs that have undergone knee surgery, hip replacement, TPLO, and many others.
It has a soft and comfortable fleece inner lining that won't chafe your pooch's underbelly. You also get a soft, padded handle to prevent blisters or hand cramps and a storage bag.
However, the handle straps are not adjustable and there is no reflective material to improve nighttime visibility.
Pros:
Cons:
Voopet's dog sling features bright reflective threads that run through the entire sling to improve low light visibility. As such, the harness is very safe to use at night.
These threads run through the unit's adjustable straps, which allow you to customize the handle's holding position to avoid bending. That said, the handle is padded to prevent blisters or hand cramps when carrying a heavy pooch.
You also get a fashionable drawstring closure bag for easy carrying. However, the harness does not provide full-body support.
Pros:
Cons:
This is one of the best dog harnesses with a handle for lifting the hind legs. It wraps around the rear legs and therefore, won't slip along your pooch's mid-section.
Aside from that, the sling has a breathable mesh lining while a durable thickened insert buckle ensures easy on/off. As for the handle, it has cotton PU in between for comfortable holding and its straps are adjustable to prevent bending.
Key Features
With five adjustment points, Rabbitgoo's dog harness provides a customizable snug fit on your dog, which makes it escape-proof. Three of these points are around the neck while the rest are around the belly.
A sturdy metal ring is built-in for leash attachment, which means you can use the harness when going for walks. There is a durable lifting handle just behind the ring for instant grip & control, and an extra webbing loop for additional control & balance.
Key Features
For every Max and Neo dog lift harness you buy, they donate one to a dog rescue. This goes a long way in helping sick, needy dogs and thus, if you want to help in this case, we recommend the product.
That said, the harness features a high-quality construction made using heavy-duty nylon. It is tied around your pooch using overlapping Velcro folds and held using two neoprene handles with reflective double stitching.
Key Features
We recommend Coodeo's unit as one of the best dog lift harnesses because it is professionally designed for assisting rejuvenating old, disabled, or injured dogs. Additionally, it is vet recommended and has a dog-friendly design that fits both male and female pooches.
The product offers full-body support with holes for the front legs that prevent slipping. You also get a detachable belt, which is adjustable for comfortable lifting without bending.
Key Features
If you have a large old or injured pooch, we recommend this harness as can lift over 100 lbs. On top of this, it has a wide 9.5-inch lift & support pad that holds large dogs comfortably. As for the straps, they have a strong, soft Velcro to allow for a tougher handle.
The harness is built using durable polyester and nylon materials with a soft fleece lining that is gentle to your dog. This design is USA vet physician-approved and comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Key Features
With its upgraded closing mechanism & buckle, Pet Friendz's dog harness fits, holds, and lifts your pooch with more stability. It adds on front support to prevent slipping. This secures your dog when going down a flight of stairs.
Other than that, the product includes two accessories, which are a de-shredding glove for removing hair, and a "Lifting Harness in Recovery Process" eBook.
Key Features
Doggie Stylz's dog harness is one of the best lift harnesses for dogs because it has a multifaceted design. The front and rear sections are separate and therefore, it can provide front-only, back-only, or full-body support.
That said, the front harness is ideal for daily use, the rear for lift assistance, and both for maximum lift assistance. Each has a grippy rubber handle for independent lifting.
Key Features
This dog lift harness features a quick-release snap button that gives safe and reliable closure as you lift your dog. It works in tandem with the overlapping Velcro folds and chest strap to secure the harness firmly on your dog.
The handles are adjustable and give you a comfortable bend-free hold of your medium or large dog breed. Another desirable feature is the sponge inner lining, which ensures the harness is gentle to your pooch.
Key Features
Front Leg Issues
As the name suggests, a lift harness for front leg issues is designed to wrap around the forelegs. It is meant to support a dog with problems at the front.
Back Leg Issues
This harness is designed to lift a dog's rear side, which relieves the back legs from supporting its weight. It is ideally meant to help with back pains, surgeries, and issues at the rear.
Occasional Lifting
Occasional lifting harnesses are for helping your pooch in certain situations, such as getting into the car, going upstairs, etc.
Buying Guide: This selection should be guided by your intended use. For instance, Loobani's portable dog sling would come in very handy for back leg issues.
Of course, for a dog lift harness to function, it must be of the right size for snug-fitting. Most of them come in different sizes, so you should measure your dog's neck, chest, body weight, and the like.
Make sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines on how to measure these values before buying any product. With that in mind, GingerLead's dog harness is the ideal size for large dogs as it can lift 250 lbs. maximum.
While the harness is meant to help your pooch, it should not cause any injury to you in the process. This is why it is important to check if the handle straps are adjustable height-wise.
The goal here is not to bend when lifting your dog and thus, the straps should be easily adjustable to let you lift and carry the load in a comfortable posture. As such, check if the height range is within what works for you.
For maximum durability, ensure the harness has a tough outer fabric. The best materials for this are nylon, oxford, and polyester, which should take in the dog's weight without snapping.
However, the inner lining needs to be as soft as possible so that it is gentle to your pooch's torso. Look for materials like fleece, corduroy, cotton, and sponge.
As stated above, your dog's comfort is primarily determined by the material used to build the harness's inner lining. It should be soft and breathable.
However, the best dog lifting harness should also be gentle and comfortable to your hands. This is usually in the form of a Velcro handle that is padded to prevent blisters or hand cramps. You can get this feature in Voopet's dog sling .
There are two ways of looking at this factor. First is the ease of maintenance, in which machine washable harnesses are easier to clean as compared to hand washable pieces.
The second is the ease of putting on/off. Certain closure mechanisms like snap buttons, overlapping Velcro folds and buckles simplify the process of fitting the harness on and removing it. We recommend these features for maximum ease of use.
1. How Do I Use A Lift Harness for My Dog?
Wrap it around your pooch's torso. Ensure you position it correctly for even weight distribution, and with the straps at the top. Secure it to your dog, then lift the handles gently to see if he/she is comfortable.
2. Can My Dog Go Potty while Wearing a Lift Harness?
Yes. However, you need to check if the harness has a cutout to allow your male dog to urinate without causing a mess on the harness. Some units have a protective cover that has to be removed before peeing, but cutouts are more common.
3. Can a Dog Wear A Lift Harness While Sleeping or for Extended Periods?
It is safe for extended periods such as during the day when you have activities to do with your pooch. However, when sleeping, remove it. The straps are a choking hazard and can be uncomfortable.
4. How Do I Clean A Lift Harness?
Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Some are machine washable while others should only be hand washed. Remember to check the recommended water temperature for this process and how to dry.
Coodeo Dog Lift Harness, Full Body Support & Recovery Sling, Pet Rehabilitation Lifts - Walmart Link
Coodeo Dog Lift Harness, Pet Support & Rehabilitation Sling Lift Adjustable Vest - Walmart Link
rabbitgoo Dog Harness, No-Pull Pet Harness with 2 Leash Clips, Adjustable Soft Padded Dog - Walmart Link
LOOBANI Portable Dog Sling for Back Legs, Hip Support Harness to Help Lift Rear for - Walmart Link
Dog Lift Harness for Full Body Support & Recovery Sling, Pet Rehabilitation Lifts Vest - Walmart Link
GINGERLEAD Dog Support & Rehab Sling Harnesses - Padded Lifting Aid with Leash for - Walmart Link
The Labra dog sling lift - Walmart Link
Pick For Life's dog lift harness - Walmart Link
Max and Neo dog lift harness - Walmart Link
Pet Friendz's dog harness - Walmart Link
Doggie Stylz's dog harness - Walmart Link
Loobani's portable dog sling - Walmart Link
Coodeo Dog Lift Harness, Full Body Support & Recovery Sling, Pet Rehabilitation Lifts - eBay Link
Coodeo Dog Lift Harness, Pet Support & Rehabilitation Sling Lift Adjustable Vest - eBay Link
rabbitgoo Dog Harness, No-Pull Pet Harness with 2 Leash Clips, Adjustable Soft Padded Dog - eBay Link
LOOBANI Portable Dog Sling for Back Legs, Hip Support Harness to Help Lift Rear for - eBay Link
Dog Lift Harness for Full Body Support & Recovery Sling, Pet Rehabilitation Lifts Vest - eBay Link
GINGERLEAD Dog Support & Rehab Sling Harnesses - Padded Lifting Aid with Leash for - eBay Link
The Labra dog sling lift - eBay Link
Pick For Life's dog lift harness - eBay Link
Max and Neo dog lift harness - eBay Link
Pet Friendz's dog harness - eBay Link
Doggie Stylz's dog harness - eBay Link
Loobani's portable dog sling - eBay Link
Dog lift harnesses are essential for old, injured, or recovering dogs. That said, Coodeo's harness is the best of the best due to its professional design with full-body support. This is in addition to a soft breathable lining.
GingerLead's unit is also the best lift harness for dogs, specifically for injured dogs that are making a recovery. It is vet recommended for this purpose and is widely used in vet hospitals.
As for traveling, Outward Hound's 21005 is the best option because of its large padded torso band. This provides firm support when lifting your pooch into or out of the car.
About Patricia Jackson
Patricia just simply loves pets.
When she was eight years old, her parents got her a beautiful Maine Coon as a gift; and later an affectionate Husky.
Since then, she has raised them as her children; done minor first aid, taken in strays, administered antibiotics, bottle fed them when sick, and even midwifing.
Pat received her bachelor's degree in computer science at Univercity of Califronia Davis. She really hopes to transofrm her programming skills into something that really helpful for all pets someday. For now, lets just do that through writing.
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