NO. WAY.

That was my first reaction to the Dog Treadmills that we now offer at ThePetangoStore.com.  As an exercise-fan and the proud pet parent of two dogs, I couldn’t decide if I was mortified, gratified, or utterly and completely mystified.

Whose dog is going to walk on that thing?

Since then, I’ve done some research, and I have to admit, what at first seemed completely outrageous now seems well…at least mildly, and possibly quite practical!  So if the idea of a “doggy treadmill” has ever made you feel any of those things above, read on for the low-down on this latest pet equipment.

History

Introduced in 1817, treadmills were historically used to reform (punish) offenders in prison.  But the earliest dogs on treadmills actually had a mission.  They were the “Turnspit Dogs.”  Remember the last time you ate a rotisserie chicken? Well in the early days of rotisserie cooking, the Turnspit Dog was responsible for keeping the treadmill moving which would keep the chicken moving.  (Cesar Milan himself could not train my dog to walk that treadmill and NOT eat the chicken).  Turnspit Dogs were a distinct breed but with the invention of automated roasting-jacks, the breed became obsolete from a working perspective and disappeared.

Human v. Dog Treadmill

From what I have read, there is little difference between a human treadmill versus a dog treadmill beyond the obvious: proportions.  This may seem ridiculous, but imagine running on a treadmill that’s 2 meters wide and 4 meters long and you can start to see that size matters.  The other main difference is that many dog treadmills come with barriers on either side to help your dog stay focused.  No one wants Fido flying off the treadmill because the cat can’t help but taunt him, right?  Some also include extra gadgets, such as a built in water bowl so your pup can walk and rehydrate at the same time.

Benefits & Uses

Trainers have been using treadmills for years.  Whether for show dogs, agility, or the basics, treadmills can improve balance and gait, overall fitness and health, and mental focus.  Veterinarians have also been known to use treadmills for rehabilitation.  They are also a great tool for squeezing in more exercise to promote weight-loss.  Sounds a lot like all the reasons why people use them, right?

A treadmill can help your dog lose weight, burn excess energy, regain mobility after injury, and even ease the pain of arthritis.  And of course…though no one likes to admit it…it can save you time.  High energy working dogs like Huskies, Shepherds, and Retrievers need HOURS of exercise on a daily basis and one of these nifty new machines can give it to them.

A treadmill is also great for pet owners living in areas where seasonal heat waves, winter weather and rain can make walking outdoors uncomfortable (horrific).  This is especially beneficial for dogs ill suited to handle certain kinds of weather...like that Chihuahua. Plus there's the added bonus of alleviating boredom. Imagine? Those rainy days could be filled with pillow-shredding, cat-chasing, garbage-hunting frenzy...OR they could be filled with the quiet murmur of a treadmill...

Treadmills are also useful for dogs with arthritis.  The padded surface puts less strain on old and inflamed joints and the “terrain” is smooth, preventing the possibility of your dog tripping on uneven ground.  Daily walks on a treadmill can promote muscle strength, improve balance and keep excess pounds off (extra weight on arthritic limbs is a big no-no).

So how do you know if a treadmill is right for your dog? Well, the next time your pooch is racing around the house in his own personal game of furniture-tag, you can decide for yourself…

Resources: hubpages.com, associatedcontent.com, wikipedia.org