Is Dog Treadmill a Must-Have?
With increasing awareness of dog health, more dog owners are welcoming the idea of owning a dog treadmill at home or enrolling their pooches in local dog spas and fitness centers. Though the number of users isn’t very drastic but sale of dog treadmills has been staggering over the last 6 years.
Having said, there are still many skeptics would oppose the thought of exercising our dogs on treadmill for they deem it as a piece of useless gadget only the rich and lazy dog owners would consider it a must-have.
Whatever preconceived idea one has in regards to owning a dog treadmill or exercising our dogs on it, it would be fair to look at how this machine has evolved over the years and weighting out the pros and cons before drawing any conclusion.
History of Dog Treadmill
Firstly, dog treadmills are definitely not a fad neither are they useless gadgets. They have been around since 1870s. Back then, it wasn’t used with foremost intention of exercising the dogs but rather using it as an agricultural machine called “level power” treadmill. What this does is to that large dogs would walk on the treadmill and give power to the attached device like fanning mill or butter churn.
As in this case here, it’s without a doubt that dog treadmill is a piece of useless gadget for dog owners living in a modern society since 99.99% of us get our butter in supermarkets instead from our farm yard. On the contrary, we are the ones who needed dog treadmills most or exercising our dogs on them.
Benefits of Using a Dog Treadmill
Weather: Your dogs are not subjected to any harsh weathers such as hot summer days, cold winter nights, rainy season or snowy and icy roads to be able to do his routine exercises.
Fact: Dogs suffer heartstroke more easily than humans do which can be fatal if prolong exposure to sun.
Breed: Some states and countries forbid dog owners walking their Pitbull and Rottweiler – leashed or no leash, muzzled or no muzzle on. Dogs with long coat, especially show dogs, won’t have to suffer their beautiful coat being drag on road or green which can result in broken coat. More details on this in my next issue.
Allergy sufferers: No matter how sensitive you are to pollution, pollen and weed allergen, your dog will still get his needed exercise at home.
Time: Because of our busy and hectic schedule, we often find it a challenge to walk our dogs after a long day spent in the office.
Safety: No worries about walking your dog at dawn or late at night or in a busy street. Exercising your dog indoor eliminates these issues.
Save: You can save money spent on dog walkers and not worry much about their irregularity in showing up.
Variations: You can vary your dog workout session like increasing the speed and distance and the level of inclination.
Multitasking: During your dog exercising on the treadmill, he can watch his favorite animal TV programs.
Drawbacks of having a Dog Treadmill
Cost: It is expensive even for an animal powered treadmill. Prices ranging from $400 to over $1000 for a motorized dog treadmill.
Space: Storage or placement of the dog treadmill can post a headache for many people. Even the smallest dog treadmills (approximately 4 by 3 feet) still require a decent location in a home without causing any obstruction to human traffic.
Like all tools and toys, dog treadmills are there to aid us in achieving our goals but they are not made as our substitutes or replace our responsibilities as dog owners. Occasional walks in the park still bring tremendous joy for both you and your dogs – catching up with friends and other pooches, rolling on the green pasture, seeing flowers in bloom, listening to birds singing, chasing insects, harassing the ice-cream man, basking under gentle sun and so on.
2nd installment: I will be discussing my personal experience on exercising my dogs on treadmill.
3rd installment: Fuzz-free steps to introduce dog to mill exercising.
[tags]dog treadmill, treadmills, exercise, fitness, workout[/tags]
Oct 9th 2006
6:15 PM
I am considering buying a treadmill for my two dogs to use as a part of their overall fitness routine. However, deciding what type of treadmill to buy (dog-powered or motorized) has been very difficult.
I just found your two very helpful articles on dogs and treadmills and was wondering if you might do an article on choosing a treadmill for your dog.
Thanks for any help or advice you can offer!!!
Oct 10th 2006
12:37 AM
Hi Valerie,
Thank you for your question.
I might, since you asked
, however it won’t be any time soon. I personally do not have extensive experience with dog treadmills so I do have to do more research on it.
I’m glad that my articles helped clear some of your concerns over dog treadmill.
Cheers
Feb 25th 2007
5:32 PM
My chihuahua loves to go for walks, but I don’t often have the time to do this as frequently as she would like, nor does the weather cooperate. I thought of the idea of a “doggie wheel”…just like a hamster might use, but bigger…small dog size. So, I started looking on the internet to see if such a thing exists. Well, after much looking, I did manage to find, not a wheel for dogs, but a treadmill…but it costs something like $575.00!!! That’s ridiculous! PLEASE…can you tell me WHERE I can buy a treadmill for my dog that won’t cost me an arm and a leg?? Seems like it’s a simple enough invention, that SO many people would want to buy, that it could become a goldmine for someone willing to come up with an AFFORDABLE version!! Any info, please?
Feb 26th 2007
6:21 AM
Hi Donna,
I totally agree with you! It is insane to see such prices for a dog treadmill. I’m sure the manufacturers have good reasons for their pricing. Unfortunately, the cheapest that I come across is around $425 for a non motorized dog treadmill. I’m not sure if a Chihuahua can handle this type of dog treadmill.
I do not own one myself and most likely not in the near future. My dogs and I share the same treadmill (human). If you are into using a treadmill for your own fitness reason, then getting a regular treadmill would be your best alternative.
I’m sorry that I can’t offer much help here.
Thanks for dropping your comments.
Mar 18th 2008
3:15 PM
Thanks! I have been trying to find a way to help with exersicing my two cane corso mastiffs, Zeus and Aphrodite. I have a chronic pain condition in my legs so walking alot can not only be paiful but sometimes impossible. With my husband in the military often he is gone. I began trainning Zeus as a mobility dog for me but when he hasn’t been walked alot he is a puller. the treadmill is a lifesaver! it allows them to get the exersice they need, I can put Zeus on about a half hour before going to leave so his energy isnt so high and doesnt try to walk me. I was so hesitent cause you hear so much of both pros and cons but it is the best thing for all of us, them and me. Your article really helped me make the decision and just wanted to say thanks a lot
Blessed Be
Deb
Mar 24th 2008
10:57 PM
Hey Debbie,
I’m so glad to hear you found the winning combination for both you and your dogs. It’s my pleasure to be of service.
Nov 15th 2009
3:47 AM
Goodness! Please! go outside and walk your dog! There’s no substitute for it. Take it from a former gym rat, treadmills can be dreadfully boring. Dogs really need outdoor play (ideally offlead) throughout the day. I’ve seen people who never give their dogs enough exercise. I feel sorry for the dogs. Well, I have a 7yr. lab who requires that I awake at 5:30 AM to take him out for about 45 min – 60 min. He then gets a mid afternoon walk and an evening walk of 30-60 min to 2 hr. I’m not religious about the walk times but my dog gets to burn off steam at minimum 2x/day (30-40 min. minimum each time). A little walk around the block doesnt work. And, dogs go crazy or get depressed if they’re stuck inside all day (dogs weren’t meant to be house ornaments – they need activity!). Just walk the dog! You have to supervise them on a treadmill so you might as well go outside.
But, if you want a treadmill for your dog – just get a human treadmill – but use it sparingly. Dogs can be stoic. They can be trained to exercise on the treadmill and they’ll keep up because you insist (watching your dog play outside offlead really lets you assess their fitness better). I admit I’ve had my lab on my treadmill. It’s pretty funny entertainment. I have a friend who has cats that think the treadmill is a great toy.