Best Buy Picks
Just like their human companions, dogs who live in certain climates tend to get less cardiovascular exercise at certain times of the year: the lethargic dog days of summer and the chilly months of winter. These times can take a toll on a pooch’s health and happiness. Why not treat your pet to a specialized dog treadmill? The idea of a dog treadmill might sound ridiculous at first, but it makes good sense: treadmill exercise can lift a dog’s spirits, curb destructive boredom-related behaviors, and help keep a canine healthy year-round. It can also be an ideal way to rehabilitate an injured dog during inclement weather – especially when a motivating treat bowl is perched at the end of the machine.
Safety First: Your Treadmill is Your Treadmill
A dog should NEVER be left unattended on a treadmill – and generally speaking, treadmills for humans are not designed for use by pets. For one thing, the gap between a typical treadmill’s belt and its motor can be very hazardous; a dog’s tail could easily get caught in the machinery. Also, pets are at risk of injury from treadmill power cords and console cords.
For these and other practical reasons, treadmills designed just for dogs have hit the marketplace. Here are a few to check out.
Three Dog Treadmill Websites
- JogADog.com – JogADog claims to draw from thirty years of research and the input of veterinarians, engineers, and physical therapists. JogADog treadmills are available in four sizes to fit the full range of canine breeds. Their smallest treadmill is portable.
- FitFurLife.com Fit Fur Life features four treadmills designed just for dogs. Each has an adjustable incline. The brand’s top-of-the-line professional model features a powerful 3 HP motor, a fur collection tray, and both a motorized incline and decline.
- Pet Zen treadmills, which can be found on Amazon.com, are available in three sizes. They feature whisper-quiet motors plus LCD readouts for the benefit of curious humans.
Dog treadmills. They sound funny. They look funny. But I’ve got to admit, they make a dog’s day.
