Handicapped Dogs - 4 Helpful Items

Carriers and Slings.
I carried my handicapped dog close to my heart with an over-the-shoulder sling. For the last two years of Gracie's life when she was unable to walk or stand, using this sling allowed her to continue going places with me. Worn diagonally across the body, a soft-sided hands-free sling is very comfortable without putting too much stress on one shoulder. These slings can be used for dogs, cats and other small animals, usually accommodating pets up to 20 pounds. Since Gracie was a five-pound Yorkie, this carrier was perfect for her. It slipped on and off quickly and easily and was always ready to go at a moment's notice. It made all the difference in improving Gracie's quality of life during her last two years.

Hip & Joint Supplements.
As dogs age, many of them suffer from arthritis and joint problems. Excessive inflammation puts pressure on their joints and causes moderate to severe pain, leading to impaired mobility. Cartilage degeneration is a progressive and debilitating disorder that can also impair mobility. Top-quality hip & joint supplements are available as treats for dogs with arthritis or joint problems. Read labels carefully to ensure supplements contain the most effective agents for the support and maintenance of healthy joints and cartilage.

Four of the best agents are:

1) green-lipped mussels harvested off the pristine coast of New Zealand to reduce inflammation in the joints;
2) MSM;
3) Glucosamine; and
4) Manganese to support healthy cartilage. Research supports the effectiveness of green-lipped mussels in reducing inflammation, so be sure your supplement contains this ingredient.

Lifting Harnesses.
A hand-held harness to help lift older and handicapped dogs provides an easy assist getting dogs in and out of vehicles and up and down stairs. The harness gently cushions your dog's body while its sturdy handles help you lift. This is great for dogs with hip or back problems and also for people with back problems trying to help their larger dogs.

Dog Litter Box.
Although you may not have considered a litter box as a handicap aid for your small dog, it could make all the difference. As dogs age or become handicapped, they simply can't "hold it" or make it down stairs to get outside. When people have handicap challenges, they have access to specially equipped bathroom stalls, handrails, ramps, and other assists to their physical needs. As valued members of our families, we can also help our dogs with similar assists for their needs. Compassionate care for our handicapped dogs can include simple litter box training to assist with their bathroom needs. Similar to a specially equipped bathroom stall designed for people, we can provide a litter box that is designed specifically for dogs. For ease of using an indoor bathroom station, handicapped dogs need one with a very shallow entrance to allow them to enter and exit easily and safely. If the litter box with a shallow entrance also has a taller back and sides, it will give dogs something to brace against when relieving themselves. It is certainly possible to teach an old dog new tricks, and an older or handicapped dog can easily be re-trained to use a doggy litter box instead of going outside. With successful re-training, these dogs can renew a sense of accomplishment and also fulfill their inherent need to please us.

As members of our families, dogs enrich our lives and give us love, loyalty, and laughter. Our commitment to their care is no less than what we'd give the human members of our families. We return their loyalty to us by compassionately caring for them in their "golden years".