Wednesday, July 26, 2017

You Have to See This! Excellent Dog and Cat Strollers Reviewed!

We Love all our Fur Babies!  Dogs and Cats are an integral part of our families!


When they hurt, we hurt too!  So let's review how we can help our Fur Babies thrive in whatever difficulties they may be experiencing!

Just last week I got the funniest (I thought at the time) phone call from my uncle.  He is a "Doggie Lover Extraordinaire!"  He knows all of the dogs in his building by name and they all know him too!  It's a win-win situation for him.  He is elderly and could not take care of a dog by himself, so he gets to love all the dogs and not have to worry about their day to day care.  The dog owners love it too, because he gives their fur babies a little extra attention and treats.  The dogs all love him.  Anyways,  I digress, back to the phone call.

The Phone Call!

He calls me almost in a frantic state and begins to tell me about this elderly dog in his building.  He's been worried about him for quite some time.  Mr. Beasley (the dog) is suffering from bad eyesight and the ravages of age, arthritis.   My Uncle was worried that the owners would put Mr. Beasley to sleep!  So the phone call continues, he says to me, "Olivinha (my pet name) you will never believe what I just saw!"

dog strollers, Review This, Pet Accessories, help for elder pets
Happy Fur Babies Going for a Walk!

The Reveal!

He proceeds to tell me about Mr. Beasley and his new "pet stroller".  He is gushing with excitement that Mr. Beasley's owners have found a way to make their fur baby's life easier in his later years. As he was telling me all about this it occurred to me that many of my friends are in a similar position.  Their fur babies are growing older and suffering some of the same effects of aging that we go through.  So with all this excitement I decided that I would check out these wonderful Pet Strollers and give you my honest review!

So here we go!


From Amazon's pages I have chosen to show you these four Dog/Cat Strollers! I have read many of the reviews given to the items by "verified purchasers" and can honestly say I have also spoken to many people about their own dog/cat strollers! So let's take a look and see what we have available, shall we?  People in my own building also have dogs and dog strollers.  I have made it a point to talk to them about their choices and why they like them or not!  I personally don't currently have a dog so my opinion is based on what I have seen and what I have heard from other dog owners, including Mr. Beasley's fur parents and more fur parents who have dog strollers.
heart shape made of dog paw prints

Hits and Misses


Dog Strollers are basically a baby type carriage for your fur babies.  Like real baby strollers, they have wheels and a "bed area". So why not just get a baby carriage and modify it for your pet?  Well, let's just say that safety, is the name of the game and keeping our pet safe and secure is our ultimate goal.  In order to retrofit a baby carriage,  you would be making a big investment in time and trouble, when there are products already available for this purpose.
dog in purse
Not the ideal way to transport your pet for long periods of time.

Stroller Size


Pet strollers are rated for the size of the dog or cat.  Pet strollers can be used for any four legged pets that you may have. Depending on the overall size of the stroller, you can fit one or two small dogs or cats into these beds.  Most will have a certain "pound rating".  If you have a very big dog, you will need to look for a stroller that will take your pets weight, or the tires and frame will not hold up for prolonged use. Pet Strollers are generally rated by weight of the pet or pets.  Many come in doubles too, for people who have more than one animal in their care.  

Cost


You can get a very inexpensive dog stroller for a small dog if you are a city dweller and use it on paved walkways and roads. If this is good enough for you then you can purchase a doggie stroller for about $50.00.  As I said earlier I do not have one of these myself so I did rely on the comments and found some really disturbing ones that rated the inexpensive strollers as "terrible".  So buyer beware.  The smaller wheels and portability of the stroller would be ideal. But the smaller wheels do not lend themselves to a nice smooth ride for your pet.

The stroller that cost upwards of $180.00 are considered the "Cadillac" of pet strollers.These pet strollers have wheels that are 12 inches in diameter and are pumped up with air, like a bicycle tire.  They offer a smooth ride and are made especially for joggers or walkers that like to go the distance on terrain that is not smooth.  Winter would also be a great time to use these strollers,  to save the dogs from getting "salt burns" on the pads of their feet.  

Transportation of the Pet Strollers


All of the pet strollers are made to be easy to transport.  One handed collapse is not uncommon.  Weight of the pet beds varies but most are easy enough for anyone to load them into a car.   Not all of them have the storage  basket on the underside of the "bed".   To me this "extra" is essential, but more on that further in the Review.  Tubing and construction are much better with the premium types of pet strollers.

Bed Area


Some of the pet strollers come with a "bed" already for your pet.  Some make this an add on feature.  Premium strollers come with everything included, meaning that you have a sun shade, bolster pad and bedding as part of the whole package.  If you buy a less expensive model, you will need to add these extras to make your pet stroller compete with the upgraded models.  The bed is "screened in" so that your dog will not be able to jump out and wander off.  Some even sport a window at the bottom area of the bed, so that your dog can lie down and still be watching where you are going. If your dog likes the wind in his face, there are tethers to attach to a harness!  Then let the hood down and the screen off and your animals will still be safe!  Everything will fit nicely into the boot of the carriage.

Wheels


Premium strollers are also great for fitness buffs who love to run.  The three wheeled construction allows the front wheel to lock into place for joggers.  If you prefer a leisurely walk, then the front wheel can be unlocked.  You will be able to turn your pet stroller on a dime.  It handles like a "Ferrari", where the more inexpensive strollers will chug along like a freight train in comparison.

Boot or Storage Area


Underneath the "bed" there is a boot or storage area, that will hold everything you might need while you are out and about.  A water dish, water bottles, treats and even their food can easily be stored until needed.  If you are out with your dog for the whole day, this storage area is wonderful and will save you from having to make several return trips to the car for items you might need.  Going to the dog park was never so easy for you or your dog. And after a strenuous day of play, your pet will be ready for a nice nap on the way back to the car.  Everyone exhausted but happy with a day's outing made easy.

Conclusion

If you are purchasing a pet stroller for your family pet, then I would strongly suggest going for a model that is in the higher price range. You will get your money's worth out of it, with the superior construction and usability.   When your dog gets older and can no longer walk for long distances, this is the ideal way to help your pet still enjoy his later years.  He still gets out and for short periods of time can get out of the stroller for a little walk and then get back in to rest.  It's one of the little things we can do for our pets who have given us so much love during their younger years.  Elder dogs are still part of our extended family and as such we can only try to make their latter days as easy a possible.

We have so much fun with our four legged family members that in their latter years we can go just that little bit further.  After all, these are the pets that we have dressed up for Halloween, taken pictures of for our Family Christmas Cards, and made them a part of our world for so many occasions.  When they get old, we owe it to them to make their senior years as wonderful as they have made all of our days.
never underestimate the warmth of a wet nose plaque

Dog safety is one of the most important things we can do for the pets we love.  Keeping them safe and comfortable is part of our duty as a pet owner and lover.  If you want to read about more ways to keep your pets safe and happy there are lots of Reviews available for you!

  • If you want to know more about Indoor Dog Gates, you can click on that link and read about them. Cynthia let's you know all the ins and outs of Indoor Dog Gates.
  • Dressing up our pets for special holidays is something we pet owners do too just for fun.  Our fur babies enjoy the attention and we get so much pleasure and fun with the interactions too.  Susan writes about dressing up our dogs in this review: Patriotic Dog Bandanas, Collars and Clothes.
  • If you are new to bringing home a puppy, you might want to read Bringing Home a Puppy Day!

One thing is certain, once there is a dog in your life, you will never ever stop having things to talk about.

If you ever get the chance to rescue a dog, you will find that they will change your life even more for the better!  My friend Diana Wentzel, rescues dogs and she just recently had then need to get a dog stroller for one of her rescues.  In her words, "Mr. Muffin's dune buggy. Let me tell you, it's a good workout pushing a dog stroller through a sandy creek. Still, I would do anything for this precious guy. I'm waiting for him to tell me where he wants to go for his next field trip."  She goes on to say, "I have found this to be an essential piece of equipment. For Mr. Muffin, it is definitely a quality of life accessory. I'm sure many dogs would benefit from having one. It means I can take Mr. M. places he would never be able to experience without it.

dog in stroller
Along with her beautiful comments, she allowed me to post this picture of Mr. Muffins in his "Dune Buggy"!  Photo courtesy of Ms. D. Wenzel!
All pictures except Mr. Muffins's, on this blog post are from Pixabay.  






Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


23 comments:

  1. Since our family has always had large dogs, I've never given much thought to the need for a dog stroller. You've pointed out some really important reasons why "parents" of small dogs might want to seriously consider a stroller for their precious pet. Thanks for the insight, and bless your Uncle for being there for his neighborhood dogs!

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    1. Susan, even big dogs are prone to arthritis in the hind quarters. I've known several of them and there are pet strollers made for them too. Up to 100 lbs, so that your dog can still get out and about with some help.

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    2. It's hard to imagine our Daisy in a big dog stroller, but she does already have bad knees... Forgot to thank you, Grammie O, for mentioning my Patriotic Dog Clothes review, too. Thanks!

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    3. Pleasure was mine for sure....I know a lot of bigger dogs that have hip issues. This big stroller would be ideal for them to get to the park or open area, then let them out for just a little walking and then back home again in the stroller.....Glad I could use your Review for all of our pampered pets.

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  2. Olivia, I'd never thought one way or another about pet strollers until reading this. I can see where one would be wonderful for elderly or infirm pets who have difficulty getting around.

    I work part-time at Ace Hardware and they are one of the stores which allow (and invite) dog owners to bring their pets into the store. We even keep dog treats on hand for them. Thus I've now seen some little dogs riding in the basket cart while owners are shopping. I've also seen some regular pet strollers come into the store with their cute furry passengers. Through those recent experiences and now through your review, I can see the benefits of pet strollers.

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    1. I was just speaking with a lady who has one and she bought it because she herself had surgery that made it difficult for her to walk unassisted. She uses the pet stroller to keep herself balanced while she takes her pooch for a walk. The pooch gets out on an extendible leash for a while and then goes back into the stroller for the walk home again. So it's not just for pets I'm finding out!

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  3. I'm all for anything that enables a pet to have a greater quality of life. Our pets want to be with us, and for those of us who relish our time outdoors, a pet stroller can allow our older animals, or our animals with special needs, to continue to enjoy the stimulation of those experiences. Thanks for helping us expand our options with this review.

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    1. So happy to be able to shed some light on a new way of taking care of our elder dogs. My uncle is the one I should thank, if it wasn't for his hilarious phone call I would never have known about these myself. I think they are great! I even had one lady let me know that she uses it to keep her dog from getting extra treats from people, her dog is diabetic and on a very strict diet, so when he's in the stroller, she can control what is given or not to her dog.

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  4. What a great way to take you dog or cat for a stroll around the neighborhood. Our son-in-law actually ask for a cat stroller as a gift. He wants to take the grandkitties for walks. Only problem, there are 3 grandkitties and they would need a triplet stroller for them. Thus far, I haven't found a pet stroller for triplets, but I do think it is a wonderful idea.

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    1. I know they have doubles, do the cats fight when together? I had my dog and 2 cats at one time and all three were like three musketeers. Playing, sleeping and eating together. I could have put all three in one stroller without cause or alarm. I am learning more and more about these strollers and agree, they are wonderful.

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  5. I used a stroller for my older dog, we would walk w the stroller until she was too tired and then into the stroller for the rest of the walk. It was a great way to lengthen the time outside for our aging loved one :)

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    1. Great show, I think that is exactly how they were first thought to be used. In the meantime many more reasons to have a pet stroller have come to light. I was speaking with a lady who takes her dog in the stroller to keep others from feeding treats to him. He is diabetic and on a very strict diet, so this helps her to control her pets intake of food.

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  6. I've seen more and more pet strollers in recent years. Interesting article.

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    1. I think pets are like us, we are living longer due to better food and health care and so are our animals. They like us will suffer aging and need help. It's the least we can do for our loved fur babies.

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  7. Have enjoyed our pet stroller for over three years. Probably need to invest in a second one as the kitties (full grown cats) would rather have their own carriage than share at this point in their lives. Originally bought mine to give me stability walking as I regained strength after cervical surgery. Now we just enjoy taking the kitties round the bend.
    Ours was approximately $50 on Amazon. Has a 'fleece' lining on the bed, sunshade, storage underneath, four wheels and a canopy. Full enclosed with screening on the windows and came with a zippered, removable plastic cover to use on the carriage in the winter or on drizzly days. Love it!!

    Great review. Thank you for the bounty of information.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Leslie for chiming in here. Pet strollers to me are a wonderful idea. I know my uncle, when he called to tell me all about Mr. Beasley's stroller, was over the moon excited, that his mommy and daddy could help him get around even when he was feeling less than spry. It is a way for us to care for our fur babies as much as they have cared for us....

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  8. The first time I saw one of these I giggled! I couldn't believe they made them, but honestly, they're absolutely handy when your doggie isn't in good health and you have to walk quite a ways. When we had our elderly little dog, I wouldn't hesitate to get one if I had to walk a lot with her.

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    1. Barbara, I think they are a Godsend when it comes to infirm cats and dogs. I know people who use them for their diabetic animals too! It keeps people from wanting to feed their dogs when it would throw their diets completely off.

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  9. I always laughed at people who put their dogs and cats in strollers, but now I can see how they really add a level of safety for our favorite furry friends.

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    1. The first time I saw them I laughed too, but when you think about it a little further, you see the limitless potential of these specially made strollers. They are a great idea, especially for elder dogs and cats.....

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  10. Great review of pet strollers, Olivia! Anything that allows our ailing pets to stroll along with us is a positive pet purchase.

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  11. You can say that again Ruth! I was not aware of these until a lady in my building came around with her little dog inside one. She was all over about how great they were and talking to her, I knew that these would be a great addition to helping older dogs enjoy the outdoors even when they can't run as fast and hard as they once did. Thanks for your comments.

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  12. Thanks for the review! You've made my decision easier - going for the 3 wheel version.

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