How To Make Your Own Dog Wheelchair
by Jackie Cardenas on October 16, 2009
Dog wheelchairs are an important to a disabled dog’s daily life. The wheelchair allows the dog to walk independently with its front legs when its hind legs are unable to. The wheel chair can also be reversible for the front legs. If your dog is having problems with its legs and is unable to walk with either its front or hind legs this would be very beneficial for you.
(image courtesy of Google)
Commercial wheelchairs are expensive from $250 and up and that’s for a small dog! Why pay that much when you can build your own for $50.
STEPS (courtesty of Ehow.com)
1. Take measurements. You will need to know how wide the dog is to measure the width of the wheelchair.
2. Purchase two wheels. The wheels should be about 8 inches for small dogs and at least 12 inches for larger dogs. Connect each wheel with a metal right angle frame brace with a nut and bolt.
3. Cut an aluminum pole. You will need to buy an aluminum pole about 1/2 inch in diameter and about 4-8 feet in length. If the width of the dog is 8 inches then cut the pipe 12 inches. This should give enough room so that the dog’s rear will not hit against the wheels or piping. Attach the pipe to the bottom hole on the metal angles with a nut and bolt.
4. Measure the length of the dog. Measure from back end to the shoulders. This will determine how long the next poles will need to be. If the dog is 14 inches in length, then cut 2 pipes 12 inches. The remaining two inches on each side will give room for the harness connection.
5. Measure the dog’s shoulder width. But a U-shaped bar that would fit the dog’s width. Take the padding used on a tennis racket handle and wrap it around the bar. This will ensure that the metal will rub against and irritate the dog’s back. Attach the bar to the harness. Take the middle of the harness where it tightens and slip it through the bar until it reaches the top of the bar and then take each end of the harness and slip its metal ring through the bar.
6. Attach the bar to the side pipes. Match the side pipes up to the bar and bring the bars at least 1 inch up on the bar. This is where you will need to drill a hole (on each side of the bar) The holes will need to come all the way through the bar so that the pipes can sit through them. Screw a nut and bolt into each pipe end to make sure that it stays on. The head of the bolt will need to be greater than the hole.
This is a great alternative to euthanizing your dog. It will allow your dog to thrive for many more years. Try it out and encourage your dog to be enthusiastic about the wheelchair. My friend did and her dog is now happy and running again.
If you want to chat with me here on Dogasaur, my username is puppy_love
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