Homemade Dog Wheel Chair

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Homemade Dog Wheel Chair

Build a homemade dog wheel chair out of PVC or wood!

The type of wheelchair you choose to build will depend on the size of your dog, the terrain where you take your dog for walks, and which parts of the dog need support (front legs, back legs, three legs or four legs).

If your dog has a progressive condition that will ultimately involve all the legs, you may wish to start with a modified quad design.

Small and medium dogs can often be supported in a PVC frame. Large dogs are usually provided with a sturdy wood or metal frame.

***NEW FOR 2012***

Last year we came out with our first set of PVC dog wheelchair plans for dogs having trouble with their rear legs that weigh up to 50 lbs - see the Dogge Chariot™

This year we have an option for you to build a wooden dog wheelchair for large or extra large dogs - see the Dogge Buggy™

GENERAL IDEAS FOR BUILDING DOG WHEELCHAIRS:

FOR THE FRAME
You will need access to a saw and a power drill. Since adjustments may be needed once the dog tries out the wheel chair, extra holes are recommended.

If you’re on a severe budget, look for scrap lumber or metal. It doesn’t matter what these items look like, as long as they do not have structural defects. Rust can be removed and paint will cover up blemishes.

Bolts, nuts and screws may be obtained from unused structures that you can take apart.

FOR THE SUPPORT
For large dogs, this usually consists of webbing straps covered with a padding material such as rubber tubing and/or foam padding. Nylon webbing is stronger than polypropylene webbing. Buckles and sliders can be of plastic, but metal is recommended for larger dogs. It is best if this saddle can be made adjustable.

Some homemade dog wheel chair designs use a wider piece of strong fabric such as canvas or another suitable material for the support. Yet others use a part of the frame or some brake wiring that is thoroughly padded and offers rigid support in a particular area.

Any fabric and padded areas need to be designed so the dog can go to the bathroom without soiling them.

Note that it is better to have a fixed support around the dog's thighs or under the crotch area if a dog is going to be using the wheelchair at faster speeds than a walk. Using a non-fixed support will cause swaying, which can make the wheel chair unstable, result in chafing of the dog's skin, and could be hard on the dog's spine.

FOR THE WHEELS AND AXLES
A dog wheelchair needs to be able to roll and turn easily. For dogs up to 65 lbs, smaller wheels up to 12 inches in diameter can be used. For the PVC designs, threaded plastic or rubber caster wheels work well.

For larger dogs, consider using 16- or 20-inch bicycle wheels, jogging stroller wheels, or wheels off a human wheelchair. For extra stability, the axles can be set at an angle with the wheels slanting slightly inward.

To avoid having to fix flat tires if your dog will be going over rougher terrain, we suggest you use thorn proof bicycle inner tubes and wide, knobby outer tires.

To get an idea of different designs that others have made, please see Wheelchair Designs

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