In recent years, dog treadmills have gained a lot of importance. Every dog needs enough exercise to stay fit or get fit again. Lack of exercise, like us humans, leads to obesity, poor stamina, slow reaction, etc.
Finding the right dog treadmill can take some time, so here we’ve gathered information from manufacturers to hopefully make your search a little easier.
Compared to the thigh, the lower leg and the metatarsus are significantly longer in dogs. Thus, dogs have a longer stride length relative to their body height than humans have.
That is why dog treadmills are longer than the ordinary treadmills produced for humans.
A dog treadmill is not a full substitute for daily exercise (new impressions, taking care of needs, socializing) BUT if environment or life circumstances limit the exercise possibilities, a treadmill offers the ideal supplement to guarantee a minimum of exercise and to complement the available exercise.
Dog physiotherapists can use treadmills to speed up muscle development after surgery, strengthen your dog’s cardiovascular system, or have the dog do controlled slow movements when appropriate due to joint disease or previous injury.
What to look out for
:
| Size and weight class | It is imperative that the treadmill and running surface fit the size and weight of your dog. The dog must be able to move freely |
| Dimensions | How much space is available? There are devices that are foldable and easy to store. However, there must be sufficient space for the training. The additional safety distances must also be taken into account here |
| Safety precautions | In an emergency situation the treadmill should be able to stop immediately (emergency stop switch), closed side walls help the dog to align with the running direction, give him additional safety and prevent him from jumping off. |
| Easy operation | The device should be easy to operate. A training computer with electronic display and a touch screen help with the operation. Speed, gradient should be able to be monitored and changed at any time |
| Min.-Max. Speed | It should be possible to adjust the speed in small stages.. The walking speed should normally be between 0 and 12 km/h (up to 20 km/h can be useful for professional training). |
| Pitch angle | An incline is when the treadmill is slightly elevated at the front and slopes backwards. This is essential for training specific muscle groups. The standard range of most devices is a slope of about 10 percent. For pure cardiovascular training, an incline is not absolutely necessary. |
| Material | How resilient is the material? Dog treadmills should be made of sturdy and high quality material. The belt should be non-slip. The sides should be stable and secure. |
| Noise level | The importance of considering the noise level for both the dog and yourself cannot be underestimated. The quieter a device is the more pleasant it is to use. |
Test Winner:
dogPACER
Price: 499 Euro
This treadmill seems to be among the favorites on the market. The DogPacer is a very stylish and functional treadmill. Because of the length of the belt, the dog can walk normally. The controls are positioned on the side so that you can comfortably and safely operate the treadmill while your dog is running on it. The treadmill operates at variable speeds between 0.8-12km/h which is adjustable in 0.1km/h intervals. The digital display allows easy handling with 3 preset programs or the self-selected speed. The belt offers sufficient possibility to vary the gradient (5-9 degrees). On the display you can see the speed, time, distance and calories burned. Thetreadmill isvery quiet. There is a safety contact with which the treadmill can be stopped immediately.
There are two models: the dogPACER LF 3.1 and the MiniPacer. Both models offer sufficient belt length. Both models are good to move. They are easy to fold, are very compact and have wheels.
The MiniPacer is ideal for hotel rooms or offices. For the larger model you need a little more space.
PETSITE
Due to the slightly smaller running surface, this treadmill is well suited for small and medium-sized dogs. It performs at a good speed variance between 0.8-12km/h with 0.1km/h intervals. You can set three different gradients – but these are set manually at the base of the wheel. The LCD screen and remote control are very convenient to allow use of the 12 different training modules and control functions available on the training computer. On the display you can see speed, time, distance and calories burned. It can take up to a 90kg maximum capacity, but recommends 30kg.
The treadmill has a stable side guard and an emergency stop function.
It is not foldable, but the wheels make it easy to transport.
RGLZY Dog Treadmill (Pet Treadmill)
This treadmill is suitable for dogs that have a body length of less than 60cm. The treadmill has a display screen and remote control. On the display you can see the speed, time, distance, calories burned and training mode. The LED display is rotated for easy viewing and operation.
Safety switch for immediate stop.
There are no closed protective elements on the sides.
