Dog Wheelchair & Dog Wheels UK

Q: "Hi, I have a 13 yr old Staffie approximately 26kg. She has a right hip dislocation which was only diagnosed about 5 yrs ago. She's never limped but I noticed she has muscle wastage. She also has arthritis in both back legs. She can walk but I have to use a sling to support her weak back legs, her front legs are ok."

A: We have many dogs going onto wheels who have hip weakness, hip arthritis or severe hip dislocation / dysplasia. Dog wheels can be a very good solution as they will take the weight off her back legs (and you won’t need to use a sling) but she can still put her paws on the floor and therefore she can use her leg muscles and keep the legs active but there is less weight on her back legs. In terms of pain - they should reduce her pain as her hips will be under less stress and pressure.

Q: "My pug has spinal problems that have caused weakness in his back legs. He can walk but he's unstable and he sits a lot. I've tried a sling but it was no good so I think a set of wheels for walk time will get him moving more. He can still potter around at home without wheels but having wheels would allow him to play with his pug family (we have two others who are very active). Should I send you a video of him?"

Q: He looks like he would be a perfect candidate for wheels as his front legs are strong and he is in good condition. Wheels would help him get around and join in with the family activities, whilst taking the weight off his back legs and giving him support. He would still be able to use his back legs whilst in the wheelchair but if they were getting tired you would be able to put them up in the stirrups that come with the kit.

Q: "My dog has just had to have her back right leg amputated due to breaking it badly. She is 11kg and a Small Westie x mini-Schnauzer - which size would she need? Also, sorry I’m not sure how it works, could she then use her back left leg with this? She has short legs and is of a stocky build like a Westie."

Your dog would need a Small Walkin Wheels. These are for dgs between 5 - 11kg. Once you purchase the wheels, you will get an automatic email asking a few questions eg breed and weight etc. You might want to add an amputee cover to sit in the hole where the leg would be, this makes the wheels more comfortable to use. I will send a link for both. The remaining leg can either still have contact with the floor and keep using its muscle, or you can use the stirrups, which are included, to put her leg up. You can try both ways and see which one your dog prefers.

1. Paralysis or spinal cord injuries: Dogs with paralysis or spinal cord injuries may have difficulty walking or using their hind legs. A wheelchair can provide support and allow them to maintain mobility

2. Degenerative disc disease: This condition affects the intervertebral discs in a dog's spine, leading to pain, weakness and mobility problems. A wheelchair can alleviate pressure on the affected area and assist the dog in moving around

3. Arthritis: Arthritis causes joint inflammation and can result in pain and stiffness. A wheelchair can reduce the stress on arthritic joints, making it easier for the dog to move and exercise

4. Neurological disorders: Dogs with conditions such as degenerative myelopathy or fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) may experience muscle weakness or paralysis. A wheelchair can support their mobility and improve their quality of life

5. Ligament or joint injuries: Joint issues such as a cruciate ligament injury can be very debilitating for some dogs, especially where surgery is not an option. However by moving them into a wheelchair, they can once again enjoy going for walks and enjoy life

6. Hip Dysplasia: Dogs with hip dysplasia often experience hind-quarter instability and/or joint laxity in their hips. Whether they end up having an operation to correct this or not, a wheelchair can support them and help them to carry on being active

7. Amputations or limb deformities: If a dog has had a limb amputated or has a limb deformity, a wheelchair can assist in maintaining balance, distributing weight evenly, and enabling the dog to move around comfortably

8. Injuries or post-surgery recovery: After an injury or surgery, dogs may have limited mobility or need to restrict movement during the healing process. A wheelchair can aid in their recovery by providing support and preventing further strain on the affected area

Q: "Hello, measuring my dog, she is at the top of the small size range, would this allow for weight fluctuation as she’s the higher end of scale? She’s obviously not been moving much recently but that should change once she has her wheels."

A: Yes, a Small wheelchair allows for weight fluctuations between 5kg - 15kg, so your Westie will be good in this range.

Q: Hi, My GSD has dysplasia in his front legs. Do you have wheels that would suit him please?

Dogs who have got problems with their forelegs, or are front amputees, can do very well with the Quad wheelchairs. These support the whole torso and not just the hips. The front wheels act like stabilisers on a bike.

Q: "I am looking to buy a wheelchair for my French Bulldog. She has become quite wobbly on her back legs but is still relatively young, is otherwise well and so enjoys being out and about. We have been advised by our vet to think about moving her into a wheelchair, do dogs adapt well to these and what sort of attachments will we need?"

A: The wheelchairs are great for dogs that have weak back legs, they usually adapt really well to them and are soon up and running. They can get a bit tired at first because they will be doing more exercise than they are used to but they soon build up fitness. The wheelchair kit comes with everything you need but it is possible to buy different harnesses and belly supports, which might be more comfortable if your dog is going to use the wheels for many years.

Q. "Hi, I am nervous about not taking the right measurements etc for the wheelchair for my German Shepherd. Please could you give me an explanation as to what I need to do, I do need it in the simplest of terms!"

A: Please don't worry, we know it can seem overwhelming but we will talk you through it.

Firstly, we need your dog’s weight. The next measurement is their back leg length. Measure this as if they were standing normally (rather than pulling the leg out to its full extension). If they can't stand well, then it's equally easy to take the measurement with them lying down. It's from the join where their leg meets their torso (the groin) to the tip of their longest toenail. And finally, we need their ATR (armpit to rump) measurement.

Refunds - We have a 14 days returns policy for dog wheelchairs, so you can try thee wheels at home and send back if they are not a hit. All we ask is that there is no dog hair or damage when returned. We find most dogs adapt in their first walk.

Robust - Our dog wheelchair are made out of aluminium, with the metal parts having a 5 year warranty. We have sold a number of dog wheelchairs brands over the years but this one is the best we have sold, in terms of safety and quality, which is why it is the only one we sell today

Measuring – Dog wheelchair measuring is done at home. We can help you but most people find it easy as we only need two measurements, plus breed and dog weight

Dog wheelchairs at home – Most people use the dog wheelchairs on walks in the garden or out and about with no problems. However, the frame for a Medium or Large dog wheelchair doesn’t fit very easily through doors etc, so can be difficult to use in the house

Car – You can take the dog wheel struts off without difficulty, it doesn’t fold fully flat, but it becomes more like a rectangle shape and fits quite easily in your car

Front paws – The dog wheelchair will hold the dogs body steady, so their back legs don't weave / be weak