Help getting out of the car

rising_from_the_ashes

I have an old lab with arthritis - he's fine getting in the car (jumps into foot-well then onto the back seat) but getting out is starting to become more troublesome.

He leaps from the backseat to the ground (have tried getting him to go back into the foot-well but he won't!) - although it's not a great height, I'm sure it can't be helping his arthritic shoulder!

I've tried to think of something soft he could jump onto - any ideas?

The only other thing I've come across is one of these http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=569&pf_id=7576 so hoping some of you may have tried this?

Are they any good / did your dog adapt & use them? etc etc


If you can suggest anything else that would be great - my car's very small and these are unlikely to go in my boot so would have to sit on the backseat with him which wouldn't be ideal - but don't know what else to try!


Thanks in advance
RFTA

mountainofdebt

Don't know if it would be suitable but I've seen ramps that the dog would walk up - abit like this (not endorsing this one!)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PET-GEAR-TRI-FOLD-LIGHT-PET-DOG-RAMP-4-CAR-/360369606304?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Dogs&hash=item53e7b3cea0

Padz_2

What about a large soft cushion?

rising_from_the_ashes

Thanks both - will look into the ramps a bit more, what put me off was as soon as you open the door - he's out - don't think I'd have time to put it in place!

A cushion - didn't think it'd be thick enough but it may just "cushion" the impact a bit, or a thick bit of foam?

Off to do some research!!!

Fire_Fox

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Thanks both - will look into the ramps a bit more, what put me off was as soon as you open the door - he's out - don't think I'd have time to put it in place!

A cushion - didn't think it'd be thick enough but it may just "cushion" the impact a bit, or a thick bit of foam?

Off to do some research!!!

Have you asked your vet whether the jump is likely to aggravate the joint? In humans there are two types of arthritis - one degenerative and one auto-immune/ inflammatory - the recommendations for exercise (including high impact jumping!) are very different. If you would like to stop your dog jumping out, there are pet seatbelts.

Darlyd

My Molly is unable to jump into my boot, it's to high for her. (But has no problems jumping into hubbies estate). In my car she goes in the back, And I have a seatbelt for her, Mainly to stop her climbing to the front. It works wonders, She sits up tall and can lay down if she pleases. IT's so handy.

Joyful

I have a ramp for my dog which I got after her Cruciate Ligament op. As she also has Arthritis I keep it in my car as it lies flat and can be used whenever it's needed. My dog always waits before exiting the car so no probs adding the ramp.

jumpedtheshark

We also have a ramp, bought after knee surgery. It's a telescopic one, so we use it shortened on the back steps of the house, and then extended to get into the boot of the car for road trips.

We bought it from easyanimal.co.uk (saw them recommended on here in a very old post) - XL Solvit ramp (£99.99). It's a bit pricey, but that includes next day delivery, and I got £5 off for joining their petclub.

The ramp's had daily use for 3 months, and has lasted really well so far. Our dog weighs about 46kg, and she's comfortable on it - if you get a ramp, make sure it doesn't flex too much in case it makes your dog anxious about using it. We have had to train her to 'wait' while we set up the ramp for her to get out of the back of the car, but she's learnt quite quickly.

kazwookie

Go and see a builder and ask if he has an old scaffold plank that you can have then cut it to size to fit your boot. Very MSE

rising_from_the_ashes

Thanks everyone, some good ideas and am now investigating ramps more thoroughly!

Mike..Huntshaven

Have you tried joint aid ?

http://www.positiveanimalsolutions.co.uk/jointaid.html

Found it really effective.