We recently added the Bottom’s Up Leash to our store, but not before we tested it out. This leash is a rear support walking aid for dogs challenged by rear leg weakness. It is a very simple yet effective design that contains 2 padded leg rings which connect to a leash. This leash supports dogs as small as 12 lbs, all the way up to 125 lbs, therefore no need for measurements and no worrying about selecting the wrong size.

The Bottom’s Up Leash can be used to help your dog walk, climb stairs, access vehicles and go the bathroom by providing support and stability to their rear and eliminating the need to physically lift your dog. If you have ever had to help a 100 pound dog become mobile, you will understand the need for a device like this.

And all these benefits for under $40 – that’s tough to beat.

Here is our video review:

Ann-Marie Fleming is the Founder of DogQuality.com, a site focused on products that help older dogs enjoy life.

Most of us would like to think that our dogs will never get sick or grow old, however, it is inevitable. The majority of dog owners sincerely care for the well-being and quality of life of their furry friend, but unfortunately, some of them are unaware of the future needs their pets may have.

Dog owners need to gain some background information on some of the diseases that may affect their pets as they get older. The most common geriatric pet disease is dog arthritis. It is important to be properly educated about dog arthritis as there are many misconceptions about it. Here are some of the popular myths around regarding dog arthritis:

1. Dog arthritis is just an old dog’s disease. This is partially true. Older dogs are more susceptible to the disease, but thinking that only old dogs can have dog arthritis is dangerous. Take note that research has yet to fully uncover the mechanisms behind this debilitating disease and all we know are some of the factors that can hasten its progress. With this in mind, dogs with hip dysplasia, overweight dogs and even dogs that compete in dog sports events can develop the disease earlier than expected.
2. Dog arthritis is easy to diagnose. Human arthritis is easy to diagnose since a person can always complain to the doctor that he or she is experiencing pain when using a certain joint. For dogs, it is a bit more complicated.  Dog arthritis is hard to catch in its early stages because dogs instinctively hide their pain. For this reason, dog owners must keep a close eye on any subtle changes in their dog’s mobility. Small modifications in their movement or behavior could mean something is wrong.
3. Exercise makes dog arthritis worse. The logic to this myth is simple; dog arthritis affects the joints and when the dog exercises, the joints are used, resulting in more damage to the joints and more pain for the arthritic dog. Now, although exercise can be painful for the arthritic dog, doing nothing will only aid in the progression of the disease. Without exercise, the joints become stiffer, the nutrient flow is decreased and blood flow to the joint significantly drops. Obesity can also set in, which brings a lot of unwanted complications, including an increased amount of pressure of the joints.
4. Dog arthritis is part of getting old. There is some truth to this statement. However, harboring such an idea brings the mentality that you can’t do anything about it since it’s just a part of the natural ageing process. Realistically, it is a fate that many dogs will share, but dog arthritis can be effectively managed so that your dog can still enjoy a relatively pain-free life even with the disease.
5. Dog arthritis does not need treatment. Dog arthritis does not have a cure. Nonetheless, doing nothing about it is a welfare concern. Dog arthritis causes chronic pain, which can in some cases lead to a poor quality of life.  Veterinary medicine has advanced in leaps and bounds in the past decade and now there are many treatment options that can help alleviate the pain and manage the disease’s progress. You should always consult with your veterinarian to confirm the correct diagnosis of dog arthritis and to rule out anything more sinister before pursuing treatment.

Overall, it is recommended that dog owners be well informed and up-to-date with the recommended treatment options for dog arthritis so that your dog can stay happier for longer. You can visit my blog www.dogarthritisblog.info for much more information on this very important dog disease.

Dr. Christoper Durin is a veterinarian and creator of Dog Arthritis Blog, the authority site for dog arthritis.

It is never easy to watch your dog get older and often times people feel powerless because they are not sure how to help. In the past when a dog lost their mobility the common decision was to euthanize. People felt that the quality of life for their dog was so compromised that letting them go was the only way to provide them with relief. Now there are options. You can help your dog re-gain their mobility AND improve the quality of their life.

Despite their existence for the past 40 years or more many people are still in the dark about the life changing power that comes with a dog wheelchair. While there are dog wheelchairs (also called dog carts) for just about every type of mobility issue, the most common type is the 2 wheel cart for dogs suffering from rear legs problems. The extent of the rear leg issues can range from some mobility to complete rear leg paralysis.

But how do you know if a dog wheelchair is right for your dog? Here are some tips to help you in making your decision:

1. Your dog must be able to walk strongly on its front legs, with its back held in a level position. You can test this out with a simple “towel test” to make sure your dog is comfortable propelling him or herself with their front legs. If you have a small dog you can take an old towel, cut two holes in it, and place the legs through the holes. Remembering to keep the back level, see if your dog will walk normally. This action simulates the cart support system. If you have a large dog, a towel under each hind leg is an easier way to do the “towel test”.
2. Your dog needs to have enough spirit to want to be mobile again. Attitude is a huge factor in the success of a dog and their wheelchair. Is your dog bright, alert and full of life despite their mobility challenges?  If your dog has the will then you are halfway there.
3. While a dog wheelchair can be used indoors, it is more practical for outdoor use, so it is important to assess your location to determine whether you will have enough space to accommodate a dog wheelchair. These carts are quite rugged and can be used over most terrains, but the bigger the dog the wider the wheelchair, so availability of space should be a factor.

There are several medical conditions where a dog wheelchair can offer significant mobility, relief and at times, recovery.

Thoracolumbar Disc Degenerative Disease: This is the most common medical condition for which a dog may need a dog wheelchair. A dog wheelchair can aid in a dog’s rehabilitation whether he or she has had IVDD surgery or not.

Degenerative Myelopathy: This is the second most common condition for which dogs need a wheelchair. It generally starts off with knuckling of one hind paw, leading to both paws, and a swaying gait in the rear, very often with legs crossing. There is no pain associated with this condition. Unfortunately, it usually travels up the spinal cord and affects the front legs. A dog wheelchair can help to delay this process as this will take stress and strain off both the rear and front legs and keep your dog active and happy. Your dog can still use its rear legs as long as he or she is able.

Knee: Dogs with knee, or ACL, problems generally have surgery to correct this. Post surgery, a dog wheelchair will aid in taking stress off the surgically repaired limb, while preventing breakdown of the other leg. This is particularly applicable to overweight dogs.

Arithritis: If the arthritis is controlled with medication, and is in the rear limbs, then a dog wheelchair will aid mobility by taking stress off the hind limbs.

Ophilia gets her life back again

Paralysis: Whether it is due to injury or other spinal difficulties, a dog with rear leg paralysis can find mobility again with a dog wheelchair. Their rear legs can be suspended above ground with rear slings allowing the wheels to do what their legs can no longer provide. Just because your dog has lost the use of his or her rear legs, it doesn’t mean that they can’t enjoy life.

It doesn’t matter how tiny or how big your dog is, or whether you go with a custom cart or prefer something adjustable, there is a dog wheelchair to suit your needs.

Do you have a life changing story to share?

Ann-Marie Fleming is the Founder of www.DogQuality.com, a site focused on products that help older dogs enjoy life.

If your family is like mine then Christmas is a time where the dogs make out way better than the humans Our Christmas tree is usually filled with more gifts for our family dogs than for any of the two-legged members and I couldn’t be happier.

I am often asked for suggestions on the perfect gift to get an older dog so I thought I would write a post that summarized my top 5 picks for Christmas gifts this year.

1) If your dog is like mine then food is the number one favourite gift. For senior dogs I have started to give Greenies for seniors. For those of you not familiar with Greenies, they are treats that also act as a dental aid and breath freshener. The type especially made for senior dogs have the added bonus of ingredients that help promote healthy  joints, bones, skin, and coat health. They are also rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Dogs seem to love these and they are just soft enough that even our older dogs can enjoy this healthy treat. All of my dogs are getting some of these in their stockings.

2) Another great gift for an older dog, especially one that struggles with mobility, is a dog stroller. I know there is likely snow outside but winter is not forever and before you know it the roads will be clear and your dog will be ready to feel the wind beneath their wings. Or you could plow through the snow with our very own product, the Dogger dog stroller. It has 12 inch air-filled tires that have proven to do quite well on snow covered roads and sidewalks.                                                                       

3) If your dog is suffering from arthritis then they may appreciate the therapeutic help that an orthopedic dog bed can bring. I recommend going with a bed that is made of memory foam because this helps to evenly distribute their weight and reduce the pressure on sore joints. I tested these against a regular fluffy bed and the difference was significant. Mackenzie, my 14 3/4 years old pug used to get up limping and at times would even fall over and now that he only uses orthopedic beds, he gets up without any difficulty. I was so happy with the results that I filled my house with these beds.

4) Outside of the product world another terrific gift to give your senior dog is a canine massage. There is a growing number of professional dog massage therapists popping up to address the growing demand for this alternative treatment. If you have ever had a massage yourself you should understand just how great it can feel, not to mention the therapeutic benefits for your dog.

5) My fifth pick for the top Christmas gift for your older dog borders on controversial, but I am becoming a believer. Stem cell therapy is a fast growing treatment that is showing some tremendous results in the treatment of dog arthritis. I am confident that before too long this form of treatment will become much more mainstream as the number of vets that are offering this type of treatment continues to escalate. Keep in mind that this is an expensive treatment, but from what I have seen so far in terms of results, it seems to be worth it.

This of course is not an extensive list, but hopefully I have given you a few things to consider this Christmas for your older dog.

What are you giving your senior dog this year? Please feel free to share you Christmas gift ideas.

Western Canada has already had its fair share of winter, despite the fact that it is only November. Rather than sing the winter blues, we decided to use this opportunity to test drive the Dogger in the snow and ice to see how it handles.

I have heard some great things from our Dogger customers in Alberta who were hit much harder than we were here in the Vancouver area, but I wanted to see for myself just how well it operated in these conditions.

Boy, the Dogger did not disappoint. The 12 inch air-filled tires plowed through the snow with ease and the traction was wonderful. Maybe winter won’t be so bad after all.

Check out the Dogger video

p.s. If you do decide to brave the winter and go for a stroll with your Dogger, please don’t forget to bundle your dog up extremely well so they stay nice and warm. A tip I mention in the video is to take advantage of the rain cover to help block out some of that cold wind.

Do you have a Dogger? Please share your story with us