My 5 Favorite Harnesses For Handicapped Dogs

(This story is an update to our original review of harnesses for handicapped dogs in 2014.) Our latest update was made February 2017.

If you have a dog that is paralyzed or has hind end weakness, one of the specialized harnesses for handicapped dogs listed below will undoubtedly become your favorite tool to keep your pup mobile. The proper harness will make life easier for you and your dog when you move them from one part of the house to another, take them outside to relieve themselves and when you lift them in and out of the car. A harness gives your dog a sense of independence because it allows them to move about freely while it relieves the stress on your back as you assist them.

When my dog Sophie became paralyzed in 2008 there were three companies that made dog harnesses for disabled pets, but today there are more than a dozen to choose from. What was an easy choice has become an overwhelming decision for pet parents.  To help simplify the process, I’ve put the different types of harnesses into categories and I’ve listed my 5 favorite brands of harnesses for handicapped dogs.  I hope it helps you determine which product is the best fit for your pet.  

Dog Harness Categories

When you first look at the various dog harnesses on the market you might feel like you’re learning a new language so let me translate for you.

 

 

• Rear end harness or hind end sling – These products are meant for dogs with hind end paralysis or hind end weakness that prevents them from walking on their own. The harness fits around a dog’s back end and hips to support and assist them as you help them walk with their front paws. It allows you to lift them up high enough so their legs do not drag on the ground.
• Lifting harness – This harness typically fits around a dog’s mid-section and supports a dog that is still able to walk on his own, but needs help climbing stairs or assistance getting into a car. Dogs with severe arthritis or those recovering from back surgery are good candidates for this harness.
• Full body harness – This product supports a dog’s hind end and their shoulders. It’s good for a dog recovering from surgery, a dog with end stage paralysis and dogs that need front and back support when you lift them.
• Amputee harness – This type of harness is especially made for tripawd dogs who have lost a limb. It gives added support to the torso where three-legged dogs need it the most.
• Back Brace – This isn’t actually a harness, but it’s a brace that gives support to dogs with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).

Click Here: Dog Wheelchair Review 2016

My 5 Favorite Harnesses for Handicapped Dogs

Many new companies have entered into the disabled pet product marketplace. I’m going to discuss my personal favorite harnesses and slings.

Walkin’ Pets by HandicappedPets.com Harnesses and Slings

Walkin Pets by HandicappedPets has largest selection of harnesses, slings and full body support products.

It’s the brand I chose for Sophie during her illness. We used the Walkin Rear Lift Harness the entire time Sophie was paralyzed. I loved the product because it was soft but durable, reasonably priced and my dog could pee while she wore it. (That was truly a big deal). I always had two harnesses on hand so  one could be tossed into the washing machine while Sophie wore the other. The little pants on the Rear Harness are easy to put on and take off and the harness always stayed in place with a big Velcro band. I also appreciated the long nylon straps on the harness because it allowed me to lift and guide Sophie as we walked without straining my back. My only suggestion to improve this harness would be to add padding to the straps because the nylon could be a little rough on my hands.

HandicappedPets.com also offers:

Walkin’ Lift Combo Harness that provides complete lifting assistance and support for a dog’s front and rear legs.

Walkin’ Support Sling for dogs that can walk, but need support to their mid-section.

Walkabout FRONT Harness that supports a dog who needs help standing and walking.

GingerLead Dog Support & Rehabilitation Harnesses for Handicapped Dogs

GingerLead makes a variety of heavy-duty, quality slings for dogs of all sizes. They are great for dogs that have issues with balance, suffer from arthritis, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) and hip dysplasia.  They’re also beneficial for dogs recovering from a back injury or orthopedic surgery.

The company is named after a Golden retriever named Ginger who was diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia when she was 6 months-old. Ginger underwent a triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) on her right hip and her family was given a sling to help her move about during recovery. The sling didn’t provide adequate support when the dog tried to play like a puppy and it didn’t give her owners a way to control her movement. They were afraid Ginger might injure the repair to her knee so they developed a harness that attached to her collar and leash.  The product started a whole line of slings that has become the focus of the GingerLead Company.  And if you’re wondering what happened to Ginger the Golden retriever; well she lived to be an old girl who passed away in 2015.

Help ‘Em Up Harness

Help ‘Em Up is a sturdy full body dog-lifting harness for canines that need assistance with standing and walking, climbing stairs or being lifted into a vehicle. It’s a complete shoulder and hip harness system with handles that enable pet parents to lift a dog or provide assistance with mobility. It’s a great harness for aging dogs, dogs with arthritis, DM and those recovering from surgery. I personally know a fellow animal writer who used this harness extensively during her German shepherd’s battle with Degenerative Myelopathy.

Help ‘Em Up is unique because it is designed to stay on a dog for extended periods of time. It also alleviates the need for additional equipment like a doggie ramp because the design makes it easy for pet parents to lift and transfer their handicapped dog. The harness also comes in a design with a moveable pelvic pad that gives additional support for dogs that have problems with their spine.

Walkabout Harnesses

Walkabout Harnesses was the first rear-lifting harness used in the veterinary rehab industry. It was also the first harness introduced for home use.  The device was developed by veterinary physical therapist, Cathy Erwin, who has worked in the field for more than 30 years.  The Walkabout is made from durable, but soft materials that cushion a dog’s body.  The handles make it easy for owners to move their pet around.  Walkabout makes harnesses for rear-lifting, front support, whole body (combo) lifting and an amputee sling.  The company will also custom design a harness for dogs that are between sizes or have muscle atrophy.  Each of the Walkabout products are clinically tested.

Tripawd Harness/ Ruffwear Harness

The founders of Tripawds, the large online community for pet owners whose dog has lost a limb to amputation, have partnered with EzyDog for the creation a harness especially designed for three-legged canines.  The Convert harness is the only one on the market that is specifically designed for dogs who have lost a front limb.  The one-piece harness does not rotate around the body of a dog missing a leg.  It lets pet parents safely assist their dog as they climb up and down stairs, rise from the floor and regain balance as they walk.

In addition Tripawds endorses the Web Master harness by Ruffwear. This is a durable, lightweight and comfortable harness that is versatile enough to provide support for dogs that have lost a front or rear limb. The harness is designed to be used as a tool to assist three-legged dogs get around.

WiggleLess Dog Back Brace

WiggleLess is a unique veterinary approved back brace for dogs with IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease). Thousands of dogs live with the pain of IVDD and the WiggleLess back brace can greatly lessen their discomfort. The one-piece brace is made of a breathable, lightweight material that is designed to stabilize the spinal column. It relieves stress on a dog’s back while providing firm back support.

Other Brands

There are many other brands of harnesses and slings for handicapped dogs. If you are considering one of these products be sure to consider if they are made of a durable material that anatomically works with your dog’s condition. The product should be comfortable for your dog and allow you to have control of your pet’s movements.

Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian. These products are my recommendations after reviewing many different harnesses for handicapped dogs. If you are considering the purchase of a harness, sling or brace be sure to discuss it with your dog’s vet before making buying one. I do have an affiliation with HandicappedPets.com.

photo credit: More dog (explored) via photopin (license)