The 5 Best Dog Wheelchairs Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024

If you’re reading this, we completely understand how difficult a time this is. When searching for a dog wheelchair, the worst has probably happened. Perhaps your dog has had an accident and needs rehabilitation. Maybe they are slowing down in their old age and need help getting around.

Your lovely dog is in the next phase of life now where they need walking support to improve their quality of life.

Whatever the reasons for opting to buy a dog wheelchair, we want to give the very best information and recommendations we can. Finding a dog wheelchair in Australia can be difficult, so we teamed up with veterinarians and canine behaviourists to help us round up a handy list to suit whatever you need the wheelchair for. Our team of independent experts spent months testing out several dozen of the most popular options, and after plenty of research and debate, finally agreed on this list of the cream of the crop.

Beyond that, we’ll also discuss how to use dog wheelchairs properly as we’re sure it’s not something you have ever wanted to think about. Consider this your ultimate guide to finding the best walking aid for your dog.

Australia's Best Dog Wheelchairs Reviewed

Shopping for a dog wheelchair in Australia can feel quite complex since the market is small and the contraptions themselves look confusing. What goes where? What size do you need? What is the best one for your dog specifically?

Here are our recommendations, tried and tested by members of our team of independent experts that are easy to obtain and at all different price points. Before we dive in, please note that all manufacturers have their own sizing guidelines. Weight is very important when it comes to wheelchair purchase too. Follow each individual manufacturer’s guidelines when assessing each product. They may be similar but don’t assume that they all fit the same way.

The HiHydro range is incredibly comprehensive with all dogs in mind, which is why we chose it as our top choice.

From wheels for dogs with weakened rear ends to full support dog carts, this is the one you need! It is a two wheel model, like our number two choice, making it ideal for dogs who need back leg support.

We are also impressed by the fantastic range of sizes on offer. Now, this product is designed for both dogs and cats so the smallest sizes will likely not be suitable for your pup. From XXS all the way up to XL, the sizing is incredibly inclusive. We love an inclusive brand!

Our panel of experts all loved how the wheelchair is lightweight, allowing your pup to walk around with ease. The frame is fully adjustable to your dog’s height and width (within the given size ranges). You can ensure the comfort of your dog when you can adapt the product so easily to your dog’s body.

The colourful designs are also more fun and appealing than some of the all-metal wheelchairs out there. Your dog can still have flair as they try on their new wheels.

Durable, adaptable and inclusive, the HiHydro range has something for every dog in need.

LOVEPET make some great dog products and this rear-support wheelchair is no different!

We love the bright red trims and extra cushioning around the shoulders, chest and belly. It may seem like a small detail but these padded areas make it far more comfortable for your dog to wear on long walks. It also reduces the chances of small nylon straps chafing. The wider pads disperse the pressure evenly across your dog’s chest for more ease as they pull themselves forward with their front legs.

This is a hind leg support scooter so your dog will need strength in their front legs to move freely.

The frame is made of a lightweight but super durable aluminum alloy. It is fully adjustable for your dog’s needs too, similar to our number one choice.

The design and functionality make this product an absolute winner but we do have one gripe; the sizing. There is a great selection of options for small to medium dogs. The smallest size is suitable for pups up to 3 kg which is tiny.

Unfortunately, larger pups are not so lucky. The largest size only suits dogs up to 45 cm in height and 20 kg in weight. That isn’t uncommon in the wheelchair world (and dog world in general) but I'm sad large and extra-large dogs weren’t included since this is such a good looking and highly functional product.

If the size is right for your loveable canine, they will surely enjoy this mobility cart.

The JXJ dog cart is a great option for canines who need that extra support from all four corners. Built with rehabilitation in mind, this wheelchair will relieve the pressure on your dog’s limbs as they move around with this sturdy but lightweight support frame.

It has foam wheels that are dense but not heavy. This is ideal for traversing any terrain you may come across in your travels. Everyone on our team of independent experts appreciated that this product is easy to assemble and easy to clean too with a simple wipe down surface.

The size range is a little limiting, like our number two choice, only going from XXS to Medium. The medium size fits dogs up to 45 cm in height and 20 kg in weight.

Another con could be the design. We find the design to be a bit lackluster when compared to the more colourful additions on this list (like our next option, our colourful choice in slot four!). That is a small detail in the grand scheme of things though.

If you are in the market for a full support wheelchair for your dog, this is a great product to try!

After slamming them for not providing a decent size range with the red design, LOVEPET redeems themselves with this large dog wheelchair that is perfect for the larger canines in your life who need support.

And yes, we whinge about sizing a lot, but the fact is, larger breeds are far more prone to hip dysplasia and arthritic joints than smaller dogs are anyway! (4) So big dogs should be thought of first when it comes to walking aids and mobility carts… anyway… rant over…

This model has an extra-large size that accommodates dogs of up to 68 cm in height and 60 kg in weight. Now that’s more like it!

The frame is aluminum alloy, again like the LOVEPET wheelchair in our number two spot, so it is durable and easy to carry. The “leggings” that hold your dog’s back legs are made of a soft, spongy material that is environmentally friendly and kind to the skin. No chafing or itching.

Though the padding around the chest isn’t as wide as our runner-up choice, these are reflective lime green. That is a fabulous feature that enables this wheelchair to be used from dawn till dusk.

Like our third choice, the wheels are made of a dense foam that is puncture proof in most terrains.

As for pricing, the largest sizes are very reasonable given that they are so large. After all, supersizing the product normally means supersizing the price.

This is somewhat of an honorary mention. Remember how I mentioned my old dog needs support, but not full-time support? A lifting aid like this is perfect in that situation.

So, consider this the recommendation from our panel of experts for the stage in between wheelchair use. Maybe your dog is elderly, like mine, and needs a little helping hand during walks. Or perhaps your dog has been using a wheelchair for a while for surgery rehabilitation and is ready to move away from daily wheelchair use to regain their strength. A lighting aid is the ideal in between walking aid.

In this category, we recommend the PetSafe Solvit Pet Lifting Aid.

We like that there are two kinds of manual lifting aids here, just like wheelchairs - full support and rear support. They strap on like harnesses but with a huge handle or strap that can help you relieve pressure off of your dog’s legs whenever you need to. The straps support the hips and waist for an all encompassing support system.

The mesh lining is breathable and gentle on the skin. No sweating or chafing or itching here!

If you opt for the rear support design, there is a handle and a “lifting leash”. The lifting leash is an attachment that can clip onto any leash using a strong D-ring clip.

If you opt for the full support design, the shoulder strap handle is very long, as if you could lift your dog like a handbag. There are also the smaller, handheld handles on both the front end and rear end of your dog’s back so you can adapt to your dog’s needs in the moment.

The sizing is not too bad with three options available - small, medium and large. The smallest size suits dogs with 30 cm - 60 cm waists and weighing up to 15 kg. The medium size will suit a dog with a 48 cm - 78 cm waist and a weight of up to 30 kg. The largest size will suit a dog with a 68 cm - 97 cm waist and weight of up to 60 kg. Unlike our number three choice that is primarily for small breeds only, this is not a bad size range at all.

Overall, as far as walking aids go, this one is durable, multifunctional and all round pretty fabulous!

Types Of Walking Aids For Dogs

Wheelchairs for dogs are not the only possible mobility aid you can find on the market. There are plenty of options depending on your dog’s injury or disability. Ahead, our team of independent experts share the types of walking aids for dogs to help you find the best one for your pup's needs.

Dog wheelchairs for back legs

Most wheelchairs focus on the hind legs as the most common causes for dogs needing a wheelchair are:

• Leg injury
• Hip dysplasia
• Arthritis
• Surgical recovery
• Imbalances or instability
• Muscular dystrophy

And while all of these can affect the front legs too, the back legs are the most commonly affected. Muscular dystrophy, for example, is often first spotted by your dog not fully using their hind legs. 

Wheelchairs also rely on your dog’s ability to pull themselves forward with their front legs in any case.

So you’ll find that hind support, sometimes referred to as rear support wheelchairs, are most widely available.

The typical rear support wheelchair for dogs has a back apparatus with the wheels and a harness that supports the body. Your dog’s legs go through the leg holes at the back which are side by side with the wheels. 

How To Use A Wheelchair Made For Dogs

Fitting your dog for a wheelchair

Measuring your dog for a wheelchair depends on the type of wheelchair you choose and the manufacturer’s guidelines.

In all cases, our panel suggests that you take the following measurements:

• Their weight
• Your dog’s front legs from the top of the back (at the shoulder blades)
• Your dog’s back legs from the top of the back (at the hip bones)
• The width of your dog at their widest point (at the hips)

You will likely need an extra pair of human hands to support your dog as they need to be in a simulated standing position when you measure them. If your dog’s front and/or hind legs are too weak to stand long enough for you to measure, ask someone to help you support them.

Adjusting to dog wheels

You may be wondering how your dog can best adapt to life on wheels. After all, wheelchair life is quite a departure to their life before and we can’t be sure that your dog can fully conceptualise what has happened and how life has changed for them.

I, Olivia, your friendly writer for today, once fostered a three-legged dog in university. If you have ever seen a three-legged dog in real life, you’ll probably see the sheer tenacity and spirit that I did.

They don’t let injuries stop them so wheelchair support is actually quite easy to adjust to. It feels strange for them at first but their overall thought is “yay - this helps me move!”.

Full support wheelchairs for dogs

These models do as they say on the label. They fully support your dog’s front and hind legs for less pressure all round.

As mentioned before, your dog still has to have some degree of strength in their upper body to be able to pull themselves forward in motion. The apparatus will relieve some of the pressure and fortitude to be able to move around more freely, but if your dog is completely weak in both front and hind legs, it may be a struggle.

Our panel of pros share that full support wheelchairs are often fantastic rehabilitation tools post-surgery. They are like the ultimate walking frames.

This a mobility cart style, so it has leg holes both front and back. Your dog’s body is supported with a strap or harness around their belly. The front wheels tend to be smaller than the rear wheels to balance them.

Manual lifting/walking aids

You may find that your dog doesn’t need a full wheelchair. They are just a little weaker in their back legs than they used to be.

One of my dogs is very old and struggles to maintain her balance during long walks. For regular walking around the house and garden, she is completely fine!

So instead of a full metal apparatus, we have a hind leg supporter that we use when out walking.

This kind of works like a harness for the back legs. The model fits around their back legs and should your dog struggle to keep walking or find it tough to climb some stairs, you lift the handle to help them support their rear. It’s a very handy tool that is less cumbersome than a full wheelchair.

Of course, this depends on your dog’s situation. If your dog is in the early stages of hip dysplasia, this could be a huge help to them. (2) But as their condition progresses, you may find one is better than the other.

If your dog isn’t feeling too confident within a few hours or half a day of using their wheelchair, you may find that something isn’t quite fitting correctly. It may take some tweaking and refinement to find the most comfortable positions for your dog. You’ll know when you hit the sweet spot as they will be up and away in no time at all!

My Final Verdict

As you can see, not all dog wheelchairs were created equal but they are very similar. We are confident that your pup will get on with any of these options depending on their specific injuries and recovery path. That said, our team of independent experts all agree that the HiHydro is the best all rounder range in the bunch.

They have rear support wheelchairs and full support wheelchairs. Extra-extra small models and decently large options. They are colourful, lightweight and well reviewed. If you find the right size for your pooch, these mobility carts won’t steer your dog wrong! (I apologise to no one for that joke)

If you’re not sure you need a full wheelchair and/or you would like to fully prepare for your pup for their recovery journey, a lifting aid is worth purchasing. The PetSafe is great in that case. Cover all your bases with a lifting aid and wheelchair to have every step of your pup’s recovery covered (that’s a lot of “covering”).

References

1. Barnette, C. “Muscular Dystrophy”. VCA Animal Hospitals. Retrieved July 1, 2023. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/muscular-dystrophy
2. “Hip dysplasia in dogs”. American Kennel Club. Retrieved July 1, 2023. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/hip-dysplasia-in-dogs/  
   
3. Wooten, S. December 27, 2022. “5 Things You Must Know Before Buying a Dog Wheelchair”. Handicapped Pets. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
   https://www.handicappedpets.com/blog/5-need-to-know-dog-wheelchair-tips/
4. “Osteoarthritis in Dogs — Signs and Treatment”. May 3, 2022. American Kennel Club. Retrieved July 1, 2023. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/osteoarthritis-signs-treatment/
   
5. Stregowski, J. December 3, 2022. “Common Injuries in Dogs and How to Treat Them”. The Spruce Pets. Retrieved July 1, 2023. https://www.thesprucepets.com/common-injuries-in-dogs-4142261
   
6. Monk, M. “Will my dog’s muscles return to normal by themselves after canine injury or surgery?”. Dogs in Motion. Retrieved July 1, 2023. https://www.dogsinmotion.com.au/will-my-dogs-muscles-go-back-to-normal-by-themselves-after-injury-or-surgery/