As the voice behind Dog Wheelchair LIFE, I’m lucky to learn about the latest groundbreaking mobility products for disabled dogs almost as soon as they’re launched. And believe me when I say, there are wonderful individuals who are creating unique devices to improve the lives of pets with limb weakness, amputation and paralysis.
The products these people are inventing aren’t like dog wheelchairs or support harnesses that benefit a large number of dogs. Instead, they tend to be more task oriented. The devices are designed to help senior and handicapped pups accomplish a specific activity of daily living.
That means they serve a smaller segment of pets. It also means that unless you’re looking for them, you and your dog are likely to miss out on finding these products.
The devices range from dog scooters, to boots that stop paw knuckling, to a vitamin that increases muscle mass. They help pets with every stage of a mobility condition.
Seasoned caretakers have probably heard about some or all of the products. If that’s you, I hope you’ll leave a comment at the end of this story and share your experience.
If you’re new to the world of taking care of a dog with mobility problems, I hope you keep the list of devices and gadgets in this article, on hand. You never know when you’ll need one of them.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. Read our policy.
Thank you: A special thank you to all of the pet parents from the DWL Facebook page for sharing photos of their dogs.
Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips®
Several years ago, my shepherd named Cody, started to have trouble walking on my tile floors. He was a senior dog and his hind legs would slip out from under him. It caused him to be nervous about walking through the house.
During that time, I attended a conference for dog writers and by chance I discovered a product that stopped pets from slipping on slick surfaces. The invention consisted of small brightly colored silicone bands that fit over a dog’s nails.
The product is called Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips®.
I scooped up a pack and took them home to Cody. It was a bit of a process guiding the rings over each of his nails, but the results made it worth the effort. ToeGrips changed Cody’s life. He stopped slipping and regained his confidence.
You can read about ToeGrips here.
eBook
Find The Right Dog Wheelchair For Your Pet
Your dog has a mobility problem, and you want to buy a wheelchair. But do you know what kind of cart will work best for your dog’s individual needs? After a decade of teaching pet owners how to make the right choice, I put the information into an eBook!
Walkin’ Scooter
My next find was the Walkin’ Scooter for paralyzed dogs that are always on the go. Their constant zipping around the house can cause injuries to their paws and legs. Most paralyzed pups can’t feel their hind legs and don’t realize when they’ve scooted over a rough or uneven surface.
Handicappedpets.com came up with a solution. The Walkin’ Scooter is designed to keep a dog’s limbs safe while allowing them to zoom freely around the house.
Walkin’ Scooter solves a very specific problem for young dogs who have mobility problems, but are otherwise healthy and active.
The scooter consists of a memory foam padded base that sits on top of four wheels. Dogs rest over the scooter while being protected in a drag bag. A strap keeps their body in place as they use their front paws to maneuver the cart. Walkin’ Scooters can zip across hardwood floors, tile and even carpet.
Learn more about Walkin’ Scooters
Toe’sUP
This is a new rehab device from Walkabout Harnesses that you can use at home. It prevents a dog’s paw from knuckling by holding the toes up, in a normal position.
As a dog loses the ability to feel their limbs, they tend to curl their toes under their paw. It causes pain, sores on their feet and it throws off their balance. When knuckling is prevented, a dog can continue to walk normally, for a longer period of time.
Click here to read more about Toe’sUP
Myos Canine Muscle Formula®
Myos Canine is a supplement for dogs that’s made from fertilized egg yolks. I’ve been a fan since it was in clinical trials several years ago. The study evaluated the recovery process of dogs who underwent knee surgery. During recovery, dogs typically lose muscle mass because they’re confined to crate rest.
Dogs who were given Myos Canine while they healed, maintained nearly all of the muscle they had prior to surgery.
The formula of Myos Canine increases muscle size and reduces atrophy due to aging, injury and surgery. It hasn’t been specifically tested for dogs with hind end weakness, but readers of Dog Wheelchair LIFE have written to say they saw benefits from this supplement in dogs with Intervertebral Disc Disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.
You can find Myos Canine online and on Amazon.
Chasing Tails Dog Ramp
There’s no denying that indoor dog ramps have saved the backs of many small breed dogs. These devices are a great mobility aid for dogs recovering from spine injuries and senior dogs who have a hard time getting around. They’re also great at preventing future back problems in young dogs.
In the last few years, dog ramps have grown in popularity as pet owners realize all of their health benefits.
One brand I like is from Chasing Tails. They make adjustable and durable indoor ramps that are well constructed, easy to use and simple to store.
The feature I like best is the adjustable side rails. They provide extra safety for dogs as they climb up and down the ramp. The rails prevent dogs with leg weakness or balance problems from slipping off the side of the ramp.
You can read more about Chasing Tails ramps here.
Get the Essential Guide
The Essential Guide of Products for Handicapped Dogs e-book is a labor of love for me. I wrote it to answer your most pressing questions about where to find the best products for your wheelchair dog. You’ll find products you didn’t know existed and each will improve your dog’s quality of life. Print a copy and keep it by your side.
Roller Skate With Maximus
If your dog is in a wheelchair, you know their hind legs are tethered and held up in stirrups while they’re in the cart. Some dogs manage very well with their legs in stirrups. Other dogs don’t like the idea at all.
Roller Skate With Maximus is an adaptive mobility device that enables dogs to keep their legs in a natural standing position while they’re in a wheelchair. Dog size skates fit onto their hind legs and glide back and forth as they walk in their cart.
The skates protect their legs from getting scraped and the vibration of the wheels has been documented to stimulate the nerves. In addition, dogs with early stages of hind end weakness can wear Maximus Skates while walking on a leash. It’s an amazing product that helps dogs in many ways.
Here’s how to find Maximus Skates.
More mobility products
Over the years lots of other devices have been developed to keep dogs mobile.
Here are a few of those products:
Support harnesses for dogs with amputations
Drag bags
