Wheelchairs for Dogs
Most companies will refund a percentage of the cart
cost if your dog won’t adapt to it; this may be
important if your dog is particularly timid or shy around
new objects. Also look closely at the cart designs to
determine which seems best to meet your needs. For my
situation, I liked the design where a bar extended behind
the dog so I could easily grab it to help Chelsea up or
down stairs or over other obstacles. Getting the dog in and out of the cart easily is often another factor to consider; some carts are much easier than others, especially if your dog is large or if you have to lift the dog in and out of the cart. All carts I checked allow the dog to urinate and defecate while in the cart, but again, ask to make sure.
If time is a factor and you need the cart quickly, ask the company how long it will take to get the cart. Some companies may take only about a week but others may take a month or more, depending upon the number of orders they are currently processing. Since carts are made according to the measurements you provide, it takes time to build them for each dog. You may also want to ask about shipping time; particularly if you are shipping to an address outside of the United States, which may further delay receipt of your order.
Overall, ask lots of questions and then decide which features are most important to you. IMPORTANT: Dogs must be supervised when in their cart because they can tip over or get a wheel hung up on something. Additionally, most dogs cannot lay down when in the cart (some carts have this capability but usually only for short-legged dogs like corgis or dachshunds). Dogs may also get tired if left in the cart too long. So, for the dog's safety and comfort, please never leave a dog unsupervised when in a cart. Where to Buy Wheelchairs for Dogs
In addition, you may want to try using various search engines and search for "wheelchairs for dogs"; "dog wheelchairs"; "dog carts" or other related terms. This may bring up additional sites which sell wheelchairs for dogs. (I’ve found that using different search engines brings up different results.) Donating Used Wheelchairs When the sad time comes that your beloved companion completes his journey on earth and goes to wait for you at the Rainbow Bridge, please consider honoring his memory by donating your wheelchair to a humane or rescue group, animal shelter, or other animal organization. These organizations can then help another dog whose human may not be able to afford to purchase one. Potential adopters may be more likely to adopt a disabled dog if they have access to a wheelchair and see how easily a dog can adjust to it. Another option may be to return the cart to the company which made it so that they can recondition and recycle it to another person who may not be able to afford a new cart. |
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Carts
are normally made specifically for your dog according to
measurements you provide. Costs are based on the dog's
weight. For a dog Chelsea’s size, which is about 50
pounds, her cart cost $300 plus shipping when it was
purchased in August 1999. Prices are somewhat lower or
higher depending upon the size of the dog. 
Also ask
about their policy should you have problems with the
cart. For example, if tires wear prematurely, what, if
anything, will they do to resolve the problem? Keep in
mind, if your dog depends upon the cart to walk, it may
not be feasible to return the cart to the company for
repairs.