As of: February 8, 2024, 10:24 a.m
By: Lara-Sabrina Kiehl
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Dogs can have restricted movement for various reasons, but this does not have to affect their quality of life.
Special wheelchairs help.
A loyal companion, a family member on four paws – dogs enrich our lives in many ways.
But just like us humans, they can also be plagued by health challenges that limit their freedom of movement.
Be it paralysis or necessary amputations - the first thought is often that these hurdles limit the lives of our furry friends or even make them impossible.
But this is where a remarkable invention comes into play that is not just a matter of course for us humans: wheelchairs for dogs.
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In practice: Wheelchairs give you joy and quality of life
These innovative aids can not only restore the mobility of our beloved four-legged friends, but also enable them to have a worthwhile existence.
A good example of how a wheelchair or a prosthesis can give joy in life are the dog Falco and the cat Scooter.
The three-legged friends are unstoppable, even though they have a handicap.
A wheelchair can give dogs with disabilities freedom of movement and thus improve their quality of life.
© Pond 5 Images/Imago
Usha Peters knows how well dogs cope with a wheelchair: “Dogs don’t brood as much as we do.
You put most of them on the wheels and they fly off straight away,” she tells
RiffReporter.
The 57-year-old human doctor speaks from experience.
In the Lüneburg Heath she runs a sanctuary where 97 dogs live - 26 of them have a wheelchair.
The dog Koona is also dependent on a wheelchair.
Check out
how mobile and agile she is on the go in this
TikTok video.
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Second chance for dogs with disabilities
At the “Hun'nenhoff”, or dog farm in High German, Peters, privately financed, gives dogs with disabilities a second chance.
Because for them it is clear that a handicap is no reason to put them to sleep.
“If they are visibly suffering, in pain and no longer eating, that is something different.
But if they’re happy, they deserve a second chance.”
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But who is a wheelchair suitable for?
Dogs that are missing one or more legs from birth or due to an accident can particularly benefit from a wheelchair.
The classic turtleneck version replaces the hind legs.
But wheelchairs can also be used to help with illnesses such as herniated discs, spondylosis or hip dysplasia.
What dog owners should pay attention to so that the habituation is successful
It is important that the wheelchair fits perfectly.
It is best to have this custom-made by a veterinary orthopedic technician.
The specialist will also attach importance to ensuring that the frame is not too heavy and can be used comfortably by the four-legged friend.
In order for this to be 100% guaranteed, other factors are crucial.
The muscles of the front legs should be well trained, after all, they are primarily responsible for the entire drive.
When getting used to the wheelchair, the following applies: not too much at once and only short training repetitions.
Treats help to get your four-legged friend used to the aid.
Try to keep strapping in the helper as stress-free as possible and entice your four-legged friend with a treat when he first tries to move.
The paralyzed dog Pumpkin is also moving quickly and cheerfully in a wheelchair.
Once your dog has gotten used to the wheelchair and you would like to take him for a walk for the first time, be careful when meeting other dogs for the first time.
Because a handicap can lead to misunderstandings among other dogs.
The unfamiliar image is often difficult for other dogs to assess and could trigger fear or aggressive behavior in the other dog.