Strollers For Dogs: Where & When?

photo courtesy of
Dogtrainingtopsecrets.com

Living in a big city with a lot of pedestrians, I do see people with small dogs in strollers. At first, I have to admit I rolled my eyes a bit, thinking it was kind of weird; something just human babies were better suited for. But I’ve since changed my opinion. I’ve learned there are situations and occasions where it makes a lot of sense to use strollers for dogs, and when you hear what they are, maybe, like me, you’ll change your opinion, too. Where & where does a dog stroller make sense? I went to pet parents and experts to find out.  Here’s what they told me.

Where & When

From people packed events to elderly or recuperating dogs, here are the reasons you may want to consider getting a stroller for your dog.

• Runners – athletes or people who like to regularly run and have dogs who can’t handle the distance or speed (or consistency) are using strollers to have their dogs accompany them on runs but be safe and secure. My husband is a triathlete (I know, I have no idea how he does it), and he’s always talking about how great it would be to have Sophie run with him. But there’s no way he’d get more than a half a block before Sophie put the brakes on, and she certainly doesn’t have the stamina for a 10 or more mile run. Companies now make strollers for dogs with specific features for use running or jogging, because you apparently can’t just jog with any old stroller and have it be a smooth ride and have the stroller hold up to the task. Here’s a highly rated one, the Doggyride Novel Jogger-Stroller  that converts from a jogger to a regular pet stroller and has a stronger suspension for a smoother ride. There are also many charity walk-a-thons and runs and, if dogs are allowed, you could have your pup accompany you to help do some good. I actually saw someone with a dog in a stroller doing the New York Marathon last November, no joke!
• Puppies Without All Vaccinations – you want to take your puppy out to meet the world and get socialized, but you can’t expose her to the nasty world of germs. A stroller is a great way to transport a puppy so she can take in the world and stay disease free. Parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that attacks the intestinal tract and can permanently damage the heart muscle. Puppies, especially in urban areas, can be prone to contracting parvo because they don’t yet have antibodies built up in their systems and haven’t yet received a parvo vaccination. This is the very sturdy and great-looking Petgear Sportster for dogs up to 45 lbs, with an internal fleece pad (for comfort) a waterproof tray for any accidents your puppy might have, and a storage basket and tray for all those adorable pet necessities. And, it’s in lilac, the color of 2014!
• Senior Dogs – just because a dog is getting on in years doesn’t mean he wants to be with the family any less. Using a dog stroller for a senior with arthritis or other joint issues that make it painful to walk is a great way to keep them with you on fun family outings. You can get a special orthopedic cushion for the Doggyride Novel Stroller that fits inside and softens the bumps considerably.
• Convalescing Dogs – maybe your dog has recently had an illness or an operation that either requires bed (or crate rest) or staying off of her legs for a period of time, as per your vet. With a pet stroller and if she’s up to it, you can take her out with you for fresh air and to be engaged with the world, something I think would make her feel better than laying around the house all day. Dr. Ann Hohenhaus of the Animal Medical Center in NYC thinks it’s a great idea to use a stroller for this purpose. “Many of the dogs I have seen in the park have been taken out of their strollers to enjoy the grassy park lawns,” Dr. Hohenhaus explains. “Often I notice these dogs are recovering from orthopedic or neurologic disorders and are a bit unsteady on their feet. The stroller allows them to come to the park, walk on the grass, and get stronger. Falling while walking to the park on the hard asphalt and concrete of the city would be dangerous, but a tumble on the grass is much safer until they completely recover.”
• Immuno-Compromised Dogs – perhaps your dog has an illness or condition that compromises his immune system, making it difficult if not impossible to take him out for regular walks on the street, especially in urban areas. A dog stroller could be a great way to accomplish getting your pup out without putting him in harm’s way.
• A Safe Place for Dogs at Events, Outdoor Restaurants – it’s fun to take your baby along to festivals, dog shows, flea markets, restaurants  and, especially if she’s a little one, I know I worry constantly about people accidentally stepping on Sophie’s paws or tail. Then there’s trash, bugs, aggressive dogs and possibly confusion from so much going on to contend with. Candice who is mom to star Yorkie Chloe Polka Dot agrees,. Chloe has a chic black and white zebra print stroller, customized with a little chandelier! Nothing’s too good for this little girl. Candice makes sense when she says, “I like to use the stroller when Chloe and I go to dog friendly restaurants.  Many times dogs are allowed, but not allowed on my lap.  The stroller allows me to have her in a safe contained area while enjoying being with me at a restaurant.” She adds, “A stroller allows Chloe to go to places with me that might not be safe for her to walk on foot (paws).  In the summer, the pavement is too hot for her paws to walk on the ground, a stroller protects her paws.  In crowded places or events, it allows her to enjoy while being safe above trampling feet or other hazards.”  I love that! If you click on the Chloe link, you can see her latest video.
• The Summer Heat – as Candice mentioned, but in Cali, here in NYC on the hottest days of summer, I really do think you can fry an egg on the street. Who would want to subject your dog to that? Its downright dangerous. When Sophie was a puppy, we were waiting for the light to change on a street corner by our apartment and it was very hot outside. Unwittingly, I walked her onto a hot patch she actually began to swoon. I got so freaked out, from then on, I literally place my hand on the filthy street to test the temp of the pavement. If I had a stroller, I’d have a lot cleaner hands.
• Urban Traffic – ok, I’m not sure what it’s like where you live, but trying to cross the street, even when the light is in your favor in NYC is like taking your life into your hands! Bike messengers, food delivery guys on bikes, people running and not paying attention, people entranced by their handheld device so, again, not paying attention…folks walk into each other all the time at New York City speed. Imagine if you have to be vigilant for your little dog, too? Sophie’s had several close calls. If I wasn’t paying attention to her, who knows? Sometimes a stroller in these situations sounds very appealing. That being said, getting enough vigorous exercise is sooo important to a dog’s mental and physical wellbeing. So, despite living in a guerrilla zone, I probably wouldn’t opt for a stroller for this reason. If you have a Chihuahua, let’s say, who doesn’t like to walk and getting him from point A to point B is safer for him and easier in a stroller? OK, I can see that.
• You Have Back or Shoulder Issues – if your dog needs to be in a bag, and using one places too much stress on your back or shoulders, a doggy stroller is a great choice. Not worth injuring yourself or worsening an injury.
• You Have a Big Dog & a Small Dog – and the small baby can’t keep up with the power walks of your bigger dog. So you walk them both until the little one is pooped and then scoop her up into her stroller to watch the world and rest up.
• Evacuations – this is one I never would’ve thought of. But I read in a pet stroller forum (yes, there’s a forum for everything these days I think!) how one woman said getting one was the best investment she ever made because it allowed her to evacuate from extreme weather with her dog safely.
• Frequent Travelers – if you travel with your pet often, having a stroller may make it easier to get him around. You can buy a stroller/airline-approved carrier all-in-one which would be a very convenient piece of equipment to own. There’s a nice-looking Pawhut Airline Approved Travel Pet Backpack & Carrier with Wheels that comes in pink (shown), cobalt blue or red.

How To Choose A Dog Stroller

• According to PetMeds.com, you want to make sure the stroller is not too small, so the dog is cramped, and not too large so there’s lots of room for him to jostled about.
• You also want to consider the number of pets you have who you’ll want to stroll. More than one and getting a larger stroller makes sense, obviously.
• Finally, you’ll want to consider what you’ll be using the stroller for. If you’ll be jogging or running, as mentioned above, your stroller with need features that are required to stand up to that kind of use. Plenty of companies now make strollers for dogs of athletic parents.

In Summary

Thanks for coming with me on this journey to learn more about where and when strollers for dogs make sense. Hope it was helpful and filled with information you could use when making your own decisions. I think a good rule of thumb is, if it will improve the quality of life for your dog, it’s probably a good idea.

Now that you’ve read this, what do you think? Doggy stroller, yea or nay? Share with me. Inquiring minds want to know!

Until next time…

(Disclosure:  If you choose to purchase any of the suggested items in this post, I will receive a small compensation from the company, which goes towards keeping Bark and Swagger up and running and towards the monthly donations I make to animal rights and rescue organizations. Thank you for helping out!)