Friday, October 21, 2011

Dog Wheelchairs - A Big Boon

If being crated makes a dog feel restless, you can only imagine how restless a dog can feel if they are handicapped or paralyzed. There is an amazing product in the market that can help handicapped pets and paralyzed dogs be mobile once again. This product is called the dog wheelchair.
If you have a handicapped dog who suffers from being paralyzed or physical disability due to an injury, you should consider purchasing a dog wheelchair for your handicapped dog, as you can restore their life and give them the ability to live happily and healthy.
Dog wheelchairs not only assist your dog in obtaining mobility once again but it also ensures that your dog will not inflict any addition injuries to themselves. Wheelchairs for dogs come in different sizes and styles to accommodate on the condition of your handicapped dog. The prices vary from the different dog wheelchairs. You may need a custom dog wheelchair depending on your handicapped dog’s size. Those custom sized dog wheelchairs are available from  top of the line dog wheelchair manufactures.
Dog wheelchairs are extremely useful when dogs have been diagnosed with arthritis, hip dysplasia and neurological ailments. Wheelchairs also smooth-en out the process of surgical recovery, building up strength to the bones and muscles and restoration of partial or complete paralysis. When you are buying a dog wheelchair, make sure that the strap can be adjusted. Adjustable straps enable easier movement from one place to the other and also keep the dog's movements balanced. Basically, the harness should facilitate easy mobility.
Ideally, choose dog wheelchairs made of lightweight material like aluminum. If the frame is light, the dog will find it easier to move around without any hassle. This will ease the tension on your dog's back and legs and keep muscle inflammation in check. Heavy metal frames may cause further injury to the dog and the last thing you want your dog to undergo is excessive burden. Reduce the overall strain on your dog's body by giving it a back support saddle. This gives grip to the underbelly. The overall design of the wheelchair should be such as to support all four hind legs. Wheelchair is usually advised only in cases where treatment and rehabilitation fail. Unless there is no hope absolutely of getting back its limbs to the original state, wheelchairs are recommended only as a last resort to avoid dogs from getting too used to them.
Dog wheelchairs ease the dog's mobility, relax its muscles and restore its original condition. Therefore, when buying a wheelchair, comfort and strength must be the vital features to look for.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Can Dog Wheelchairs Help Handicapped Cats?

You will find that a lot of dog wheelchair and handicapped pet websites do not have a lot of information on if their dog wheelchairs are accessible for cats. Cats are just as prone to disabilities and injuries as dogs are, should we exclude them from all the benefits dog wheelchairs bring to paralyzed and injured dogs? I personally don’t think so. 
Although sizing can sometimes become a problem as sometimes cats will be smaller than even the smallest dog wheelchair available, cats can benefit from using small dog wheelchairs meant for smaller breeds like dachshunds. The measurements required to fit your pet for a dog wheelchair can apply equally towards your feline friend. If they are paralyzed or injured in their back legs, the small dog wheelchair could be the perfect solution.
There are a few things to keep in mind when deciding to purchase a dog wheelchair for your handicapped cat. First off, unfortunately, a cat does not get as many benefits out of the dog wheelchair as dogs do. You won’t find your handicapped feline friend jumping from high distances and climbing to greater heights like it use to, but it will get to enjoy the ability to take care of itself as well as run around and be mobile again. It may not be exactly the same, but you will see the happiness in your cat’s eyes when you see it trying out walking in it’s dog wheelchair for the first time.
If your cat is too small for the standard dog wheelchair, you may find creating your very own pet wheelchair to be the right solution for you. There are a lot of websites online that show you how others that have had pets in the same situation as you who have created “do it yourself” wheelchairs for the smaller cats. You may find some great instructions and solutions for making the best home made pet wheelchair. There is no reason to ever give up on your handicapped pet’s happiness if the answer isn’t completely clear at first. To learn more about handicapped pets, dog wheelchairs, and diy cat wheelchairs, visit HandicappedPets.com