Dog Mobility Guides

Practical, sourced guides for dogs with weak or failing back legs: what's happening, how to care for them day to day, and how to get them walking again.

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Why is my dog losing use of their back legs?The common causes, what the signs mean, and when to see a vet. Caring for a dog with weak back legsBathroom help, stairs and floors, slings and harnesses, and the first days. How to measure your dog for a wheelchairOne measurement, the size chart and our fit finder. The OldPal rear support wheelchairFive sizes across nine height ranges, with the Fit Guarantee.
Tan mixed breed dog standing on grass holding one back leg up and not putting weight on it
Dog Not Putting Weight on a Back Leg: What It Means
A dog putting no weight on a back leg needs a same day vet call. Learn the common causes, one leg vs both, and what to do safely at home... Read more...
Older Labrador standing unsteadily on a rug near stairs, weight shifted forward off weak back legs
Dog Back Legs Giving Out: What To Do Right Now
Dog back legs giving out? Learn which signs are an emergency, the common causes vets find, and how to prevent falls at home before your vet visit. Read more...
Senior golden retriever standing on grass with hind legs splayed, a common sign of dog arthritis in the back legs
Dog Arthritis in the Back Legs: Signs, Causes and Support
Dog arthritis in back legs explained: early signs, when it is urgent, what your vet may raise, and how a rear support wheelchair keeps your dog mobile. Read more...
Older German Shepherd standing on grass with hind legs splayed, a common early sign of degenerative myelopathy
Degenerative Myelopathy in Dogs: What Happens and What Helps
A plain guide to degenerative myelopathy dog owners can use: early signs, how it is diagnosed, breeds at risk, how fast it progresses, and daily care that helps. Read more...
Dachshund lying on a non-slip rug in a sunny living room, a breed prone to IVDD
IVDD in Dogs: What It Means and What to Do Next
What IVDD in dogs really means, why it happens, when it is an emergency, and how to keep an IVDD dog comfortable, safe and moving at home. Read more...