Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Kasey has lost her right front leg but has arthritis in her left elbow. What would be the best harness to help her around??
We recommend the Ruffwear harness for the vast majority of active Tripawds. Jerry was shepherd mix missing a front leg, and he always wore his. The AST Get A Grip is great for larger dogs requiring more assistance. These Tripawds Gear blog posts should help you decide...
Which harness is right for my dog?
Best Harnesses for Three-Legged Dogs
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I have been looking into the same thing as my Riley lost her right front leg. My case might be a little different because Riley is small (about 8.5 pounds). I have been thinking about putting her in a harness meant for cats.....they go around the belly and across the chest so it seems like it would be better for her than the standard dog harnesses that we have been using.
It seems like a step-in harness or even a standard dog harness wouldn't be very useful with a front leg amputee because they both rely on the front legs to keep it from shifting.
Hope its ok for me to chime in with another recommendation. We have three different Ruffwear harnesses (the double back, webmaster and 2 front range) and we have 2 EZY Dog converts. Tanner, being a rear leg, can wear any of them but the only one that works on Rosco is the EZYDog (he's a front leg).
Beesmom, for just general use when we got Rosco the rescue gave us a standard cloth mesh one that they sell at any pet retail store. He's 17lbs and it works pretty good. We do use the EZYDog if I think we're going to need to help lift him a little. All of the harnesses (except the EZYDog), end up sort of sideways on him.
Geez, I never meant to end up with so many harnesses 
, I have just been trying to figure out which ones work best for which pup for whatever activity they'll be doing in it. LOL. I did call our local REI and asked the manager to bring one of them in for a fitting. They don't generally allow dogs, but the manager was SO nice when I told her he was a tripawd and we needed to do a fit test. Maybe you can see if either one are carried at a store near you and go try some on.
Good luck!
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
elizabeth said
Hope its ok for me to chime in with another recommendation. We have three different Ruffwear harnesses (the double back, webmaster and 2 front range) and we have 2 EZY Dog converts. Tanner, being a rear leg, can wear any of them but the only one that works on Rosco is the EZYDog (he's a front leg).Beesmom, for just general use when we got Rosco the rescue gave us a standard cloth mesh one that they sell at any pet retail store. He's 17lbs and it works pretty good. We do use the EZYDog if I think we're going to need to help lift him a little. All of the harnesses (except the EZYDog), end up sort of sideways on him.
Geez, I never meant to end up with so many harnesses
Good luck!
Thanks. I'll look into that. The EZYDog and the Ruffwear ones just look like they are "too much" for her- like too bulky.
I was already a bit of a harness freak- we have a bunch for our four dogs. We generally buy Lupine harnesses and I love the patterns 
so I keep getting more! Right now, we have three per dog- but I have given away several to my sister and the local animal shelter.
Generally, we find that small dogs under 10 pounds don't even need a harness other than as a fashion statement 
The harnesses we carry in the Tripawds Gear Shop are in there because they're assistive devices for larger dogs who need extra help getting up, into cars, etc. With it being so easy to carry a smaller dog, you probably don't need one. We see more returns on XS and XXS than any other size, no matter which harness people choose.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Update us when you can. Has the harness helped?
We care about you and Kasey.
((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
jerry said
Generally, we find that small dogs under 10 pounds don't even need a harness other than as a fashion statementThe harnesses we carry in the Tripawds Gear Shop are in there because they're assistive devices for larger dogs who need extra help getting up, into cars, etc. With it being so easy to carry a smaller dog, you probably don't need one. We see more returns on XS and XXS than any other size, no matter which harness people choose.
All small dogs (even those with four legs) are supposed to be walked on a harness. This is to prevent collapsing their trachea. https://www.asp.....l-collapse
While I get that you were saying that small dog owners won't be using the harness to assist in carrying the weight of the dog- I wanted to point out that harnesses are not merely a fashion statement for small dogs.
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