Dog pushchairs - don’t come at me. He’s old and infirm

[DeathBanana]

and too much of a chunk to carry far, but he stlll likes getting out and about.

anyway, most our walks are off road and the purpose made dog pushchairs look a bit flimsy. Is there any reason I can’t use an actual baby pram? Is there a significant feature dog prams have that baby prams do not?

You get whatever suits your and the dogs needs best. Anyone commenting is just crass. I live in a popular rural walking area and lots of people have pushchairs for dogs. But the chance is a good baby buggy might have better suspension.

Use whatever works for you and your dog. I pushed my old boy around in a festival trolley in his last months so he could still get out and about and he loved it. My sil used a bike trailer for children to push her elderly spaniel around off road, so absolutely no judgement here

I see dog push chairs all the time and don't see the issue. I 'assume' that some baby/child push chairs might not provide a flat base for your dog whereas a dog one would. I can't think of any other difference though?

My dog broke its leg and we got a dog push chair. My neighbour saw me with the chair and said 'Oh, I didn't realise you'd had a baby, congratulations' to which my dog let out several woofs. My neighbours face was priceless 😆

We've also discussed getting one for our 12-year-old dog, but I haven't looked into them yet, so I don't know the various features.

They need/love the stimulation of different environments but walking elderly dogs there and back is increasingly difficult, ours so tired on the way home!

If you already have a baby one that you can repurpose, definitely try it.

We have a dog one, bought while awaiting a tplo surgery that was delayed for other health reasons, and it is certainly more suitable for a dog. It has a big lay flat area and isn't flimsy for our 11kg dog. It was suggested up to about 20kg from memory.

My grandad used a kid's pushchair for his dachshund and JRT. One time, the dachshund fell out and she bounced like she was made of rubber.
The dog prams have higher sides to stop your dog falling out, and they are lower to the ground in case your dog decides to jump out.

Thanks all. There’s loads of baby prams on FB really cheap so I’ll keep my eye open for one I think. It’s the suspension and robustness that I think are better with a real one. There are purpose made dog ones but they’re £££

useful to hear that they have higher sides and are closer to the ground. I think he’d like being up high, he’s very social and presumably there would be somewhere I can clip his harness on to stop him launching. I’m not sure he would jump out, I think he’d just be happy seeing things and people tbh

I love an old dog in a pushchair 😍

We’re off put in a little bit to walk our old DDog and will be taking the dog pram. She loves it and will rest for a while then ask to come back out so overall walks further if we take the pram.

I agree though with looking at suspension.

A family member got one for his dog when the dog went blind. He used it for when they had to cross roads and then parked it to let the dog roam free on suitable ground.

Be warned though - you might get a few comments. A friend had to use one for a dog which had hip problems. A man from a white van shouted out, "You look fucking ridiculous mate!" when he was driving past. Didn't bother my friend at all - he just thought what a sad man he was to shout that!

Yes, I was about to add, be prepared for the comments. I had a little dog with hip dysplasia and a group of people at English Heritage took the piss because I carried him, not even in a pram, but with his harness attached.

Now I'm older, I'd have some choice words for those low IQ individuals but it can take you off guard if it's never happened before.

Aww, there are a few out my way - v dog-centric place, lol. Love to see a dog out and about, they mostly still love to see the world even if they have a few issues. No judgement here.

Innopet strollers are good. They are not cheap. Some used ones on ebay but they are not that cheap either. But that's good because it shows they hold their value.

Fuck what other people say. (I’ve got one for my boy- never thought I’d be that person!) But they are a lot more common these days.
Innopet are generally good for off-road,I got mine (Innopet sporty) from a place in Devon, really helpful lady, I’m sure if you googled it you’d find her details?

Not a dog lover or owner but anyone criticising this is horrible. This is what good ownership means, from when you get them to the point end.

Use what works for you. My dog had multiple surgeries and my ex had a bike trailer that also could be pushed to take him out and about for the last 3 years.

My mum’s dog used to love a ride in my DS’s pram. DS was a tiny baby and dog was elderly and small so they went in together. I wouldn’t give a shit about the stares. I carried her round her usual walk when she had an operation. She also loved this, sniffing the air in the woods.

Best idea ever. RIP George.

George 🥺

thanks all. I went and got a £25 real baby pram this morning and we’ve been out already. He loved it.

I might get him a little bonnet to compete the look

We have been using dog buggies for years.

Started after one of our Ddogs had an op and it was a way of getting him out & about with no strain to the wound. We would take him to a nice quiet area, he would get out and have a sniff around and then we would take him home again but on the way he was able to meet all his pals without putting his recovery at risk
Later on we realised that it was a great way to go out all day without over tiring him, as soon as he looked like he wanted a rest he willingly hopped in the buggy and loved looking around him, so much so that our other Ddog also started to travel with him. Being off the floor, we could go into busy areas with no danger of Ddogs getting under people's feet, we are also allowed into many shops etc as the Ddogs are completely contained.
A proper dog buggy is best as they have a good flat base, mattress, reinforced areas, ventilation, carry space and most important, restraining rings. We prefer 3-wheelers with larger, soft tyres as they provide a far superior ride (for Ddogs) especially when out for the day walking along country paths, bridlepaths, byways etc (which we do a lot of).

We have a DoggyRide Novel 10 which can take (at a pinch) both Ddogs or if we are off on a particularly long walk or the going is particularly heavy going, to give Ddogs more space we also take the Innopet one which has suspension.
Both are waterproof so if WE are getting wet, Ddogs are staying dry!
The DoggyRide Novel 10 converts into a trailer which is very handy when we go away with our bicycles.

I have used them with a pup. Giant dogs can’t walk far as puppies. I’ve ordered a huge one for my old lady dog. Means we can go further. She won’t be in it all the time. I’m hoping to push a bit then let her out to potter.

I'm glad your dog enjoys his new method of getting out and about in the world, long may it continue @DeathBanana ! ❤️

If you decide to move to a dog stroller then I agree with a poster upthread that Innopet are good, but expensive. I like the fact that you can get replacement parts so you won't have to replace the whole stroller if something goes wrong.

I have an Innopet Sporty buggy for my elderly springer. It's very good for 'off roading' in the woods. There is enough room for her to sit up or lie down.

Don't forget to add a photo if you get a bonnet!