by Tom Ken
Sudden loss of mobility can be devastating to any dog, whether it is a result of injuries to the limbs and spine or even a medical condition and old age. However, with the best dog wheelchair, you can make life easier for your pet.
Dog wheelchairs provide the same support and mobility as human wheelchairs with two large wheels and a customizable harness. These dog tools come in handy for short or long term dog rehabilitation. They are also ideal when you have a dog with neurological issues, spinal problems, arthritis, paralysis, or general limb weakness.
These wheelchairs come in different types and models from a wide variety of companies. Therefore, to help narrow down your options, we look at some top-rated models and give you a buying guide.
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
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1. K9 Carts Original Dog Wheelchair (Best Overall) |
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2. Sylphid Adjustable Dog Wheelchair (Best Budget) |
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3. Walkin' Wheels Dog Wheelchair (Best for Back Legs) |
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4. Homend Adjustable Dog Wheelchair (Best Adjustable) |
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The K9 Carts Original Dog Wheelchair takes our top overall spot as it is well-built, lightweight, comfortable, and very effective at dog rehabilitation.
With the heavy-duty aircraft-grade aluminum construction, you can be sure this wheelchair can handle a lot of abuse. This material also makes it lightweight as it only weighs 5.5 pounds. Additionally, there is adequate foam padding around the cable leg rings to prevent pressure sores and provide pelvic support for maximum comfort.
Since this is a veterinarian designed dog wheelchair, you can be sure it is highly effective at rehabilitating the pup as it undergoes rigorous testing to ensure maximum effectiveness. One more thing pet owners love is the large 8-inch wheels, which roll smoothly in all terrains.
This model is one of the priciest on our dog wheelchair review, but you can be sure it will be worth every buck you pay for it.
Pros:
Cons:
For the pet parents shopping for a small doggie wheelchair on a tight budget, the Sylphid Adjustable Dog Wheelchair is perfect. Despite being a budget model, it is still well-built with a durable and lightweight aluminum alloy frame as it weighs just 2.7 pounds.
What's more, this wheelchair has an adjustable harness and some soft, breathable fabrics that help provide optimal comfort. Better still, the wheels are a heavy-duty foam material that is wear-resistant and produces low noise.
There are no directions for putting the dog in and removing it, but the good news is that it is straightforward to figure out.
Pros:
Cons:
If you are on the market for the best dog wheelchair for back legs, Walkin' Wheels Dog Wheelchair is a fantastic choice. It is sturdy enough with a lightweight aluminum frame to ensure it provides more than enough support for the hind legs.
The high-quality and dense enough foam legs with rubber tread allow the wheelchair to glide around with ease when it comes to mobility. You can still be sure of a perfect fit thanks to the unique adjustable design, and this model also has washable parts for easy cleaning.
Although this wheelchair does not seem to have a dedicated spot for hooking up the leash, there are countless suitable ones, such as the hooks at the back. Also, the relatively higher price tag is only a reflection of the quality.
Pros:
Cons:
With a frame you can adjust precisely as it also includes precise calibration and an easily adjustable harness, the Homend Adjustable Dog Wheelchair is a great choice if you want something that provides an exact fit for your pet.
Besides adjustability, the lightweight design (1.8 pounds) also makes this an excellent wheelchair for dogs with bad hips as it ensures the condition does not worsen by reducing the weight the dog has to bear. Additionally, there are some heavy-duty support rods with chrome plating, and when you buy it, you get a free leash.
The 5-inch tires seem relatively smaller than others on our dog wheelchair review, but they still work well for indoor and outdoor use.
Pros:
Cons:
The lightweight and non-corrosive frame makes the Best Friend Mobility Dog Wheelchair tough as it can withstand a lot of abuse and never rusts. Also, it has rustproof hardware and takes little effort to assemble.
With this wheelchair, you can easily adjust the length and height using and hex wrench. What's more, it has some all-terrain polyurethane wheels for smooth rolling on different surfaces and comes with a deluxe neoprene harness for maximum comfort.
Key Features
If you are looking for a wheelchair to help rehabilitate all the dog's 4 limbs, the Surpcos Adjustable Dog Pet Wheelchair is perfect as it is a 4-wheel model for full-body support. It is also well-built with some heavy-duty foam wheels that roll without making a lot of noise.
The frame is lightweight but durable aluminum material, and there is a soft, breathable harness material to ensure maximum comfort for your pet.
Key Features
An easy to assemble and disassemble wheelchair for dogs with hip dysplasia and other issues like the HiHydro Cart Pet Wheelchair is always more convenient. It ensures you have an easy time setting up or storing the chair.
Additionally, the wheelchair includes an adjustable width frame and harness to ensure you always get the perfect fit for your pet. Better still, it has some silent, wear-resistant wheels and a more comfortable strap.
Key Features
Comfort is at the heart of the Anmas Sport Dog Pet Wheelchair as it includes some padded leg rings that take the pressure off the dog's pelvic and reduces soreness to keep it cozy. Better still, both the harness and frame are adjustable for a perfect fit.
The aluminum frame is lightweight to ensure it does not put too much mass on the dog, as this wheelchair weighs under 5 pounds. Also, the design includes some silent and durable wheels that move smoothly enough on different terrains.
Key Features
Since wheels are what helps the dog with mobility by taking up the role of the weak or absent limbs, they are one of the first and most crucial factors to consider. Here, you need to check both the type and number of wheels in the wheelchair.
Types of Wheels
When it comes to the wheel types, most dog wheelchairs use either foam or air-filled wheels.
The foam wheels are the most popular option of the two, and many pet parents love them as they require almost zero maintenance. They have a dense and rugged foam material that can take a lot of beating and cannot get punctured or go flat.
Air-filled wheels are more like the standard human wheelchair wheels. They require more maintenance since they are not puncture-proof. However, they provide a more natural suspension, making them very ideal for active dogs that love running around.
Number of Wheels
You can get dog wheelchairs with either 2 or 4 wheels. 2-wheel dog wheelchairs are ideal for rehabilitating the hind or front legs only as they can either provide front or back leg support. The 4-wheel types are perfect for rehabilitating the dog's four limbs as they provide full body support.
Like human beings, dogs have varying physical dimensions even if they are of the same breed and age. Therefore, when buying a wheelchair, you need to make sure it is adjustable so that you can customize it to fit your pet more precisely.
Something with an adjustable design like the Walkin' Wheels Dog Wheelchair makes it possible to alter the length and height to suit your pup's frame and ensure maximum comfort.
If you plan to take your pup to places in your car, you need to make sure you can carry the wheelchair along with it. Therefore, the best dog wheelchair is collapsible as this makes it easy to pack and carry.
A collapsible wheelchair folds down to a compact size to ensure you have an easy time with the storage. Collapsibility also makes the product more ideal for those that have limited space in their vehicle or homes.
Weight is another crucial factor you cannot afford to overlook as it determines the ease of pulling the wheelchair for the dog and also how easy it is to handle for the pet owner.
While heavy-duty wheelchair made with tough metals are the longest-lasting, they can be quite heavy. Therefore, you are better off with something that uses lightweight but still durable materials like aluminum.
An aircraft-grade aluminum dog wheelchair like the K9 Carts Original Dog Wheelchair is perfect. Besides being light, it is still quite tough and highly durable. This wheelchair weighs just 5.5 pounds, but anything under 10 pounds should be lightweight enough for most dogs.
Walkin' Wheels Lightweight - for Small Dogs 11-25 Pounds - Veterinarian Approved - Dog - Walmart Link
Walkin' Wheels Dog Wheelchair - for Large Dogs 70-180 Pounds - Veterinarian Approved - - Walmart Link
Best Friend Mobility Large Dog Wheelchair - Walmart Link
HeoBam Dog Wheelchair for Handicapped Hind Legs Dog,Doggie,Two Wheels Adjustable Dog - Walmart Link
XIDAJIE Lightweight Dog Wheelchair, Pet Rehabilitation Cart, Handicap Wheels for Dogs, - Walmart Link
U/D HeoBam 4 Wheel Adjustable Dog Wheelchair,Pet Rehabilitation Cart, Pet - Walmart Link
The K9 Carts Original Dog Wheelchair - Walmart Link
the Sylphid Adjustable Dog Wheelchair - Walmart Link
Walkin' Wheels Dog Wheelchair - Walmart Link
the Homend Adjustable Dog Wheelchair - Walmart Link
the Best Friend Mobility Dog Wheelchair - Walmart Link
the Surpcos Adjustable Dog Pet Wheelchair - Walmart Link
the HiHydro Cart Pet Wheelchair - Walmart Link
the Anmas Sport Dog Pet Wheelchair - Walmart Link
the Walkin' Wheels Dog Wheelchair - Walmart Link
the K9 Carts Original Dog Wheelchair - Walmart Link
Walkin' Wheels Lightweight - for Small Dogs 11-25 Pounds - Veterinarian Approved - Dog - eBay Link
Walkin' Wheels Dog Wheelchair - for Large Dogs 70-180 Pounds - Veterinarian Approved - - eBay Link
Best Friend Mobility Large Dog Wheelchair - eBay Link
HeoBam Dog Wheelchair for Handicapped Hind Legs Dog,Doggie,Two Wheels Adjustable Dog - eBay Link
XIDAJIE Lightweight Dog Wheelchair, Pet Rehabilitation Cart, Handicap Wheels for Dogs, - eBay Link
U/D HeoBam 4 Wheel Adjustable Dog Wheelchair,Pet Rehabilitation Cart, Pet - eBay Link
The K9 Carts Original Dog Wheelchair - eBay Link
the Sylphid Adjustable Dog Wheelchair - eBay Link
Walkin' Wheels Dog Wheelchair - eBay Link
the Homend Adjustable Dog Wheelchair - eBay Link
the Best Friend Mobility Dog Wheelchair - eBay Link
the Surpcos Adjustable Dog Pet Wheelchair - eBay Link
the HiHydro Cart Pet Wheelchair - eBay Link
the Anmas Sport Dog Pet Wheelchair - eBay Link
the Walkin' Wheels Dog Wheelchair - eBay Link
the K9 Carts Original Dog Wheelchair - eBay Link
When you have a pup with mobility issues due to injury, medical condition, or even old age, the best dog wheelchair can help make life more bearable for it and help with rehabilitation.
With our review and buying guide above to help you out, finding an ideal model should be easy. That said, the K9 Carts Original Dog Wheelchair is our best overall as it is well-built with a tough material and super comfortable.
However, for the pet parents looking for a more budget-friendly model, the Sylphid Adjustable Dog Wheelchair is what we recommend.
About Tom Ken
Tom has worked with many veterinary surgeons as a nurse at different veterinary clinics throughout his life.
There, he provides care for sick animals; such as: dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, and sometimes reptiles.
He has good work ethics and gentle hands; hence, the doctors as well the pet owners have come to love his presence alot.
With this site, he aims to help the readers ensure their pets' wellbeing, learn how to care, and proivide medical treatment as needed.
Joshua received Veterinary Technician Degree at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.
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