Old dogs don't stop wanting to go. They just dicker with their joints first. If you've seen that silver-snoot buddy of yours pay the stair bottom a beat or two before committing to the climb, you already know what that negotiating on the stairs is like. The best pet treadmill for dogs is neither the swiftest nor the flashiest, it's just the kindest one that lets the old timer act like a pup for a few minutes. Here's how to choose the best one.
Consult the veterinarian at first place
Make this your first priority. It shouldn't be your "second thing," or "when I have more time."
Older dogs have secrets, too: arthritis, heart murmurs, wasting muscle, a little shortness of breath they didn't recognize. Treadmills that are great for one couch potato may be bad for another. Check with your vet about whether walker-approved pacing is recommended, and if so, the duration and signs that a canine pace should be changed.
Take a handful of questions. Is there a condition that my dog has which makes going around repeatedly unsafe? What speed range would be practical? How many times a week? Jot down the answers, because you'll forget at least half of them by the car park.
Speed range: the slower, the better
Many treadmills brag about their maximum speed as a way to attract buyers. Forget that. For the advanced age dog, what matters is the low end.
My preference is a machine that begins at a crawl – and I don't mean a slow walk but a proper crawl, slower than a slow walk by a dog. A decent one allows you to progressively accelerate in tiny increments, tenths. Large jumps are akin to a sudden lurch to a very stiff dog – not appreciated by a nervous dog.
If that lowest setting is still faster than your dog normally moves around the house, there are many other options. Just walk away.
A soft, grippy belt can ease up your aching joints
Think of a belt as a combination mattress/shoes.
Cushioning counts. A resilient surface cushions against jarring shocks that previously hampered aging hips and knees. But it shouldn't be so squishy that it's difficult to stay on your feet, as it's often balance that seniors seem to have trouble hanging onto.
Grip's important too. Well-used pad tissue won't stick. Choose a textured belt to tempt the claws. An even more slippery surface is how a ten-minute session turns into a trip to the emergency room. Just think about how your dog'd slip on your kitchen tiles – and then imagine that on a moving conveyor!
Entry height is low and base is wide and is also very stable
Getting on is the first barrier to overcome. A dog with arthritis may not think much of being required to leap onto a high treadmill.
A low deck or a model with a ramp eliminates that obstacle. Some owners even create a ramp from a firm mat or a small board. Just be sure it doesn't slip.
Stability is important. And wider is more stable. Plus the machine needs to be weighted and steady so it won't rock with your dog's changing balance. Older guys sometimes get wobbly, and if the machine wants to keep up, a slight stumble turns into a spill.
Side rails and a hand on the lead
Falls are actually the biggest risk here. A dog with a good strong dog will be able to get back on his feet after a trip. An elder may not be able to.
Side rails or panels prevent them from leaping off sideways. They should be high enough to prevent them from stepping over from the shoulder. Owners will sometimes attach a loose lead to a harness and hold lightly, never tight, to add an extra support. It should be a safety net, not a tug on a leash.
An accessible, no-fail emergency stop. And the guarantee you will never leave your dog's side, not for a blink, not even to run to the front door. The kettle can boil dry. The doorbell will ring itself hush. You stay.
Noise and anxiety, the quiet troublemakers
A lot of geriatrics go a little deaf. And some become a little jumpy. Go figure. But believe it or not, ask any owner and they'll agree.
An overly loud motor can scare a dog that is already nervous. Find a machine with quiet bearings and a low engine noise. Try it out yourself with the lights on and the radio off before letting your dog try it.
If it squeaks like a rusty hinge, don't buy it! Your dog's ears, even the tired ones, will thank you.
Short sessions, long benefits
Here's where owners get carried away. They purchase a treadmill and intend to do a heroic thirty minutes a day.
Don't. Begin with three to five minutes. Observe your dog. Panting that persists, a head below the shoulders, feet that drag or a refusal to go any further all require an immediate halt. Taper off even more gradually: over weeks, if you're allowed.
A lot of folks a solid ten or fifteen minutes of moderate, steady effort. That's usually all it takes to keep muscles strong, joints healthy and minds alert. Regular beats intense any day of the week.
Introducing the machine with patience
Old dogs can learn new tricks – just not too quickly.
I had a friend on a treadmill, a retriever almost 14. For a week, the dog's owner sat by him, feeding him chicken. Day eight, he got on. Day nine, he walked for a minute. By week three, he was striding down the hall like a senior citizen with a pension and a plan.
Initially, keep the machine off. Reward their curiosity. Reward this paw. Reward this paw. Only turn it on to its slowest speed if your dog appears calm. Use a happy tone of voice; dogs are like an open book with their ears. If they move backwards, move back with them. Tomorrow is another day.
Treadmill or not? Be honest
A treadmill isn't a magic pill. You still need the sniffy walks; they're brain food for dogs. But you can make up the shortfall in bad weather, on icy days when the pavement becomes treacherous and alternating good and bad days.
A treadmill may be wrong for dogs that have severe arthritis, heart disease, or neurological conditions. And some alternatives may be, too. Your veterinarian may recommend hydrotherapy, slow lead walks or a physical therapy program. Follow that advice.
Budget & practical tips
Cost varies a lot. Don't buy the cheapest model – older dogs need solid frames, a quieter motor and easy-to-control speed – all of which costs money. However, you don't need a space-age monster either.
Review warranty and return policy. You will have a good reason to send back a dog that just completely refuses the machine. Measure your space and provide plenty of room behind the unit. Use on a non-slip floor or a rubber mat.
Clean the belt after every use, vacuum out shed hair from the edges and tighten the bolts now and then. Maintenance is tedious, yes, but a squeaking belt will frighten an old dog, and there are few things an old dog fears.
One more final note. Keep an eye on your dog's face as they walk. The relaxed jaw, the gentle eyes, the steady tail. That's all the feedback any machine will ever need.
