In a video post a few weeks ago I shared my recommendation of Eddie’s Wheels wheelchairs for many reasons.  Video is below if you wish to watch.  I wanted to share this article on Eddie’s Wheels website which was recently posted.

It is a big decision and tough time when you realize you need a wheelchair for your dogs, but I for one, am so thankful for Eddie’s Wheels and their custom-made carts.  I also believe they are a company of high integrity and true compassion, so I share their comparison article so if you need to fit your pet for a wheelchair you can make the best decision for your pet:

Custom-Built Vs Mass-Produced Dog Wheelchair, WalkinWheels

Eddie’s Wheels carts are shipped fully assembled. Open the yoke, place your dog’s legs in the saddle holes, close the yoke and buckle the chest strap.

Above, a Walkin Wheel cart as it comes out of the box for you to assemble.

We were not surprised to see the appearance of WalkinWheels on the marketplace. Handicapped Pets  had been selling custom carts by other manufacturers for years.   A careful reading of their evaluation of the problems inherent in dog wheelchairs shows that the problems they’ve solved are the ones involved in marketing dog wheelchairs.    Yes, you can get it fast, and you don’t need to measure your dog.  And the refund policy takes some of the risk out of ordering a cart.    But how does the cart itself measure up to our custom-built products?

• Walkin Wheels are 20%  heavier  and wider at the wheelbase than our carts.  The weight of the cart  is above of the dog, whereas the weight of our carts is borne on the wheels.  We use four different diameters of aluminum (from 1/4″ , 5/16″, 3/8″ and 1/2″)  and build each cart with the lightest possible size rod with consideration for the weight and physical limitations  of the dog,  in order to keep the cart light and nimble.

• Ease of use:  Walkin Wheels requires you to first put the front harness on the dog, and then lift the dog into the cart and clip the siderails to the front harness.  Eddie’s Wheels are all-in-one : open the cart, lift the dog into the saddle, close and pin the yoke closed and buckle the chest strap.

• Their saddle consists of  webbing bound in closed cell foam, joined in the middle by a neoprene pad.  The saddle moves with the dog’s motions,  which can cause decubital ulcers.  The neoprene pad can absorb urine and cause urine scald on your pet’s delicate groin tissues.  Our welded, padded, custom-built to your dog’s measurements saddle cannot be duplicated –  and it’s this feature that separates us from all over canine carts.  This saddle was specifically developed to solve the inherent problems of suspending dogs on the soft tissue of the groin by  supporting them properly on their pelvic floor.   Our saddle is sanitary and stable, and feels like a bicycle seat for the dog.  Soft supple saddles feel like a climbing harness, not something you want to take for a long walk – if your pet able to use its legs at all, it will chafe and rub.
   

  strap saddles move, rub, and chafe with the dog’s leg movements.

• Fast, no measuring – but when the cart arrives in a box (from China) – who gets to put it together?  You do!  There’s a 20 page instructional booklet that comes with kit.  Need help  – watch the video! Eddie’s Wheels are shipped fully assembled to your pet’s measurements.  Simple fine-tuning adjustments are easily accomplished with an allen wrench, which we provide.

• Upgrades – dog with degenerative myelopathy can be expected to get weaker as the disease progresses into the core muscles and forelimbs.  There is NO provision for this in the WalkinWheel design – however, all Eddie’s Wheels carts can be upgraded, counterbalanced and fitted with detachable front wheels as dog’s strength levels change.  We even make a variable axle so that you can change the balance of the cart yourself without having to come back to us for upgrades.

• Customer Service:  Eddie’s Wheels has 3 disabled dogs on the premises who use our carts, and on a given week we see at least half a dozen clients for measurements and fittings.  Our crew knows how to use carts as well as how to build and sell them.  We’ve found that there is usually a simple reason why a dog would refuse to budge in a cart – and we’ll problem solve with our clients to ensure success.
• Veterinarian Approved:  WalkinWheels offer an economic incentive to vets by allowing them to buy them wholesale and make a large profit on each sale.  Even so, Eddie’s Wheels is the acknowledged by the leading canine rehab veterinarians, and veterinary schools  as the best product on the market.
• Recyclability:  Want to recycle your cart after your pet passes on?  We’ll pay for return shipping to us and use the sales of recycled carts to provide canine wheelchairs to those with limited means or animals living in shelters and rescues.

• Value for your money:  WalkinWheels are available at wholesale prices to re-sellers.  Eddie’s Wheels carts are sold directly to the end user – that means that our prices are not marked up for middlemen to make a profit.
• Made in China or made in America – we’re proud of the fact that we manufacture every cart on the premises here in Massachusetts.  We pay our employees a living wage with benefits – and yes, it means that we’re not getting rich building dog wheelchairs.
• Dog  Approved! We hear from folks every day who have tried WalkinWheels and found that their dogs don’t like them.  Here’s review we received over a year ago from someone who was given a WalkinWheel cart – part of their marketing campaign consisted of donating wheelchairs to vet schools.http://eddieswheels.com/testimonials/shelby/

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog & Author Barbara Techel Recommend Eddie’s Wheels Wheelchairs