How to Make a Pet Wheelchair

A wheelchair can provide new life for a dog with limited mobility. By taking the pressure off the rear legs, the wheelchair allows the dog to move around and potentially convalesce. Buying a factory-made wheelchair can get pricey fast, with models ranging from $150 to upward of $1,000. A homemade cart is a low-cost alternative that enables your dog to get around. As dogs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, this guide is geared towards a 50 lb. canine, so you'll need to adjust accordingly.

Things You'll Need

  • Two 48-inch lengths of cold-rolled (CR) one-half-inch tubing
  • Wax pen
  • Measuring tape
  • Wheels for a one-half-inch axle
  • Metal thread inserts
  • Bolts
  • Power drill
  • Dog harness
  • Snap hook
  • Pipe insulation
  • Thrift store jeans
  • Velcro strips
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Instructions

  1. Frame

    • 1

      Begin by constructing the wheelchair's frame. Mark cold-rolled tubing at 6- or 12-inch intervals with a wax pen. Bend the tubing on both sides to form a U-shape with a 12-inch base.

    • 2

      Bend 4-inch sections away on both ends of the tubing, so the U-shape has right angles pointing away on top. The wheels will be attached to these sections.

    • 3

      Measure your dog's shoulders. Bend the second length of pipe to comfortably hang over this length.

    • 4

      Raise the bent portion of the pipe vertically about 4 inches, so the bend fits over the dog's shoulders and the straight portions run parallel with its body.

    • 5

      Search local hardware stores or online for the chair's wheels -- they need to fit a one-half-inch axle.

    • 6

      Attach wheels to the 4-inch ends of the first length of tubing. Secure wheels by hammering press-on caps in place over them.

    • 7

      Drill holes in the tubing with the wheels, ideally just above where the dog's belly will rest so that with the sling component in place, the shoulder portion will sit naturally on the shoulders.

    • 8

      Glue metal thread inserts into the open ends of the shoulder piece. Let it dry.

    • 9

      Insert the shoulder piece into the wheel piece. Screw bolts into the thread inserts to secure the frame together.

    Harness, Padding and Sling

    • 10

      To construct the harness, start by cutting two identical segments of pipe insulation.

    • 11

      Slide a snap hook to the shoulder frame's center. Slide the insulation segments along either side of the shoulder frame so the bend that sits on the dog's shoulders is padded with the hook in the middle.

    • 12

      Cut one leg off a pair of old jeans. Trim the length to make it three times the frame's span.

    • 13

      Stick Velcro strips to the sling and attach to the rear of the shoulder frame. Attach the harness to the hook.