How to Make a Handicap Dog Cart

A dog with hip or back problems can lose use of his back legs. An accident with a car can leave an otherwise healthy dog crippled. Instead of just pitying it, make your dog a handicap dog cart to restore its mobility. A platform or sling attached to wheels is made for the dog's back legs to rest upon, while the dog uses its front legs to pull along. Dogs with "wheelie carts" can move and run similar to dogs using all four legs. Custom carts can be on the pricey side. You can do it yourself with supplies from a home improvement store.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Length of 3/4-inch PVC pipe
  • Hacksaw
  • Scissors
  • 1 yard of fabric (canvas, mesh or vinyl)
  • Sewing machine
  • 4 PVC elbow connectors
  • 4 PVC T-shaped connectors
  • PVC adhesive
  • 4 threaded caster wheels
  • Foam or memory foam
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the height of your dog's back legs to determine how far off the ground the cart needs to be. You need to measure this accurately; if the measurement is off, it can hurt the dog's back.

    • 2

      Measure a distance of PVC pipe using the measurement of the back legs and mark with a pencil. Cut the PVC with the hacksaw on the line you marked. Repeat three times. You should have 4 lengths of PVC that match the measurement of the dog's back legs.

    • 3

      Measure the length and width of the animal. The width measurement is for the width of the cart. Add a couple of inches to each side, so the cart does not rub against the dog's sides.

    • 4

      Measure a distance of PVC pipe using the width measurement and mark with a pencil. Cut two pieces this length. You will use these pieces to make the crossbars of the front and back of the cart.

    • 5

      Measure and cut four pieces of PVC the length of the dog.

    • 6

      Measure the distance between the dog's front legs and the end of its behind.

    • 7

      Cut a piece of canvas, mesh or vinyl to the measurements from Step 6. Add 2 ½ inches to the dog's length, plus 2 ½ inches on each side. This allow you to hem the fabric so there are channels for the PVC pipes.

    • 8

      Sew the fabric with a 1-inch channel or pocket on all sides.

    • 9

      Slide the side pieces of PVC into the channels. Slide the crossbar pieces into the pockets on the short sides of the fabric.

    • 10

      Construct the cart by connecting the PVC lengths, using the elbow connectors and T-shaped connectors and gluing them together. The elbows connect the frame and the T-shapes connect the crosspieces.

    • 11

      Twist the threaded wheels into the ends of the T-shaped PVC pieces.

    • 12

      Measure and cut a thick piece of foam to fit in the cart for extra padding.