Dog Wheelchair & Dog Wheels UK

When is my dog ready for a dog wheelchair?

If your dog is finding it hard to get around like normal and is exercising less due to a problem with their back, spine, rear legs or rear paws, it is probably the right time to think about a dog wheelchair. For example, your dog might have a spinal injury and is struggling to walk due to weakness in their lower back and legs. A dog wheelchair will work wonders for your dog, as the wheelchair will hold up their rear end, allowing them to move around again.

It is never too early to put your dog in a wheelchair. Many owners we help find their dogs instantly adapt and will start exercising quickly, so we recommend moving them onto wheelchairs early so they stay as strong and fit as possible.

Feel free to send us a video, and we can always check if your dog is ready. Our email address is: woof@zoomadog.co.uk

Can my dog go to the toilet in their wheelchair?

It depends on your dog's condition and also if you can train them. If your dog is paralysed, they will go to the toilet as normal in the wheelchair. If your dog is not paralysed, we suggest you encourage them to go to the toilet before getting in their wheels. When they are in their wheelchair, if they go to the toilet, remember to praise them and tell them they are very good. This will encourage them to use the toilet while in their wheelchair like normal.

Can my dog use the wheelchair off-road eg. the beach, woodland or wet footpaths?

Yes! These dog wheelchairs have plastic wheels that are light and good on all terrains. We have many dogs who use them at the beach, on the sand, and in the sea.

If you are DIY-minded, we have known some customers to buy rubber air tyres and switch them on.

My dog drags their back paws. What can I do?

It is very common for dogs who go in wheelchairs to also drag their paws. They might scuff the skin or make the toes bleed. If you can get your dog paws to lightly touch the floor, this should extend your dogs ability to walk. There are a few options for the back legs, take a look and see which is best for your dog.

- The wheelchair comes with a pair of stirrups. Put your dog's paws in the stirrups and lift the paws out the way

- Purchase boots to protect the paw skin and give your dog the most traction on surfaces

- Purchase Maximus Paws Up or Maximus Skates to correct your dog's dragging paws

Will my dog lose rear leg muscle?

We get this question a lot. If your dog can still use their back legs, even if it's limited, we recommend you keep their back paws touching the floor (don't use stirrups) so the muscle gets as much exercise as it can.

Sometimes, a dog will be paralysed or have such severe arthritis or paw knuckling that they are unable to push the wheelchair forward with their paws; in this instance, put their paws up in stirrups, but unfortunately, this will mean they will begin to lose leg muscle. You can complement stirrups with hydrotherapy lessons to keep the muscle active.

Which dog wheelchair brand should I purchase?

We have stocked Walkin Wheels for over 10 years. They are often more expensive than other wheelchairs on the market, however we have found them to be consistently the safest brand. If you break one part of the dog wheelchair, you can replace only this part and do not need to purchase a whole new wheelchair. Walkin Wheels have a five-year warranty on all metal parts, so they are a good choice if you are looking for a quality wheelchair.

How do I put the wheelchair together?

Inside your dog wheelchair box, you will receive a clear instruction manual. There are also excellent YouTube videos you can watch and follow along to.

What is included in a standard wheelchair kit?

- Frame and wheels
- A front harness
- A set of stirrups
- A belly belt
- Leg rings
- An instruction booklet

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.

Q: "Hi, My GSD has elbow dysplasia. Do you have a dog wheelchair that would suit him please?"

Dogs with problems in 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 quickly to them and are soon up and running. Dogs can get a bit tired at first because they will be doing more exercise than normal, so build up their 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 to come.

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