Buying the best pet treadmill for dogs seems straightforward until you’re looking at 40 browser tabs and a cartload of ‘I shouldn’t have’. First mistake? Choosing the treadmill by looks. That matte-black beauty with the glowing display may look gorgeous in the living room, but your pooch isn’t wearing running shoes to stroll through the park. Ease of use and safety first, style second.
Disregarding Your Dog’s Size and Gait
A treadmill designed for a terrier, however, could cause an intact male golden retriever to be defeated by his own foolishness. At a rush. Longer, because unlike humans, dogs don’t shuffle when they walk; they stretch, step and leap. A too-short belt will force your dog against the front edge, hunched up and cramped like a person trying to stuff into the middle seat of an airplane. Too narrow, and the paws rub against the side.
A common error is to measure the dog from chest to hip, then add a comfortable extra. Also, pay attention to the weight limit, and don’t fudge it. A deck rated for 60 pounds will squeak if a 70 pound lab jumps on it, and motors that strain will burn out early. Also, pay attention to the minimum speed of the machine. Small and senior dogs need a slow crawl to get started, and some units jump immediately to a speed that would make a greyhound ho hum.
It’s all about height. A dog with long legs (a hound, perhaps) will require headroom if there’s a bar overhead or canopy. Short-legged dogs will have the opposite problem – they may have to climb a steep deck angle or a high step-up every time they enter the walker.
Skipping the Safety Features
Just a story here. A friends of a friend bought an inexpensive model over the internet, set his young border collie on it, and the dog lost her mind when the belt hiccupped. No side panels. No emergency stop at her little paws. She shot to the side and skated across the room. No one was injured, thankfully, but the treadmill hit the garage sale the next weekend.
No, don’t say that. Search for side panels or rails on the inside, a leash clip that you can pop off quickly (a simple squeeze) and a way to stop the travel that you can hit without having to run and lunge. One that stops the flow if your dog pokes his head out of position is pure gold.
Forgetting About Noise
Dogs have a much better sense of hearing than we do. Something that seems like a soft hum to you could be a roaring jet engine for your dog. I’ve seen a totally courageous shepherd mix not want to get within five feet of a loud motor, tail between his legs, ears straight back. No amount of treats on the console can force a dog to board an intimidating machine.
Enjoy reviews that make the words “rattle,” “grinding” and “squeal” jump off the page. Or even better: Watch the videos with the sound turned on. A quiet engine isn’t a luxury. It’s what makes the difference between a piece of workout equipment and a glorified coat rack. Also ask around to a few owners in your local dog group. Actual humans with actual dogs will tell you what spec sheets fail to mention.
Buying Before Checking Your Space
Treadmills are deceivingly large. Always. Take a tape measure before you hit the buy button and tape out the footprint on the floor with painter’s tape. Then envision the dog ascending the ramp if the treadmill has one, and stepping down off the back. You will need breathing space on all sides. A cornered treadmill will trap a scared dog and make it much harder to access the stop button.
Consider flooring as well. Wood can be scratched and thin carpeting can absorb warmth from the engine. Here a rubber mat underneath solves both these concerns and also lessens vibration. And definitely forget from windows where squirrels have their own everyday teasing sessions. Your dog will notice them, totally forget the workout, and dash on the window.
Assuming Every Dog Will Love It
Some dogs will jump in like they’ve been doing it forever. Others will put their paws down and look at you like you’ve lost your mind. Both are okay. One of the biggest mistakes to make is to drop a bunch of money and then see if it works.
If possible, take your dog to a training club or a friend’s to introduce your pet to a treadmill with a dry run. How does it respond to a moving belt? Does it sniff politely, or turn tail and run away or attempt to herding the moving belt? Dogs with old injuries or old anxieties may require slow, gentle acclimation to this new form of exercise over the course of weeks. A few just never make friends with a treadmill. Better to find that out before the receipt is final.
Don’t forget the return policy. Some sellers slap restocking fees on you or disallow returns for big equipment. Read the fine print twice. One for you and your wallet and the second for your wallet.
Ignoring the Engine and Build Quality
A dollar-penny frame wobbles, a wobbly frame leads to a wobbly dog. Instead, consider the continuous horsepower of the engine, not the peak number the marketers show off in bold font. Continuous power indicates what the device can deliver for about twenty minutes of play without getting hot.
Study the belt material and the roller thickness. The thicker the roller, the longer it will last and the better it will run. See if the console can be positioned aside or screened, as a flashing display can be a distraction for many dogs. If you find an owner’s guide is very thin or absent, it should come as a concern.
Price has to be mentioned. Being inexpensive is not necessarily wrong, but a throwaway for six months is more expensive than a good deal for years.
Going Too Fast, Too Soon
Many owners purchase this machine, plug it in, and turn it on right away. Do not do this! Your dog takes time to get used to the sensation of the ground moving beneath him. Begin with no belt and allow him to walk on and off, praising him for each small success with a reward. Then turn it on at a very low setting for one or two minutes. Increase gradually. Jumping to high speed too soon can cause a lasting fear.
Observe his body language throughout the hour. If he’s panting heavily or his tail is drooping or he looks glassy-eyed, stop. Bear in mind that the machine is a supplement to a dog’s outdoor walk, not a substitute. A simple walk around the block is what truly stimulates a dog’s brain.
Ignoring Your Vet
Before you start a new workout, a quick consult with your vet can save you a dozen reviews. Hip dysplasia, heart disease, and arthritis alter what’s comfortable. Flat-faced brachycephalics overheat easily, so a shorter session is best. Growing puppies, with their developing joints, can’t usually hold up on a belt for ten minutes. Your veterinarian can give you a time frame and intensity, and that turns a shopping list into a health plan.
