When you want your dog to get in shape, but you can’t always find the time to take them for a run, getting a dog treadmill might be a good course of action. Dog treadmills are few and far between, but if you can find the right one, your dog might appreciate it more than they can show.
Much like with treadmills intended for humans, it can be hard to find the best dog treadmill for your pup, however. There aren’t many dog treadmills on the market and not every treadmill for dogs will be the right size or pace for every dog.
In this article, we’ll discuss what you should look for when you’re shopping for a dog treadmill and then review a few of the best dog treadmills on the market.
Last update on 2024-12-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Which Features Make For A Great Dog Treadmill?
The features that you should be looking for in a treadmill for your dog are not the same as the features you would want in a treadmill for yourself. Dog treadmills are constructed such that your pup’s inability to turn the machine on or off isn’t an issue.
Likewise, dog treadmills have safety features and ease of use features that normal treadmills don’t need. Dog treadmills also typically include features that make your canine companion a bit less skittish about walking on a moving surface which is emitting mechanical sounds.
Furthermore, dog treadmills need to be more resilient in the face of dirt or hair, both of which your dog brings in spades.
Thus, the features you need to look for in a dog treadmill are ease of use for your dog, safety, noise, and durability.
Ease of Dog Use
Your dog might have a much harder time getting on and off of a treadmill than you would suspect. Especially for smaller dogs or skittish dogs, dog treadmills can be intimidatingly high off the ground. The best dog treadmills work around this issue by being tapered downward.
When the treadmill is tapered downward, it’s a small step upward for your dog. While large dogs may not necessarily need the added convenience, it can also help them to get over their fear of boarding a moving treadmill.
The best dog treadmills also ramp up speeds gradually. Rapid speed changes can make your dog stumble or be afraid of moving at all, much like how they may tumble around the car while it is in motion from time to time.
Importantly, part of making a treadmill that is easy for dogs to use is making it easy for owners to use. Dogs won’t be able to control when the treadmill starts or stops, so it’s up to you to remain vigilant and activate or deactivate the treadmill when your dog is done.
Finally, dog-friendly features may be a bit strange to a human’s eye. Mesh walls are common features of dog treadmills because they help the dog to feel less vulnerable while they are on the treadmill and also reduce the chances of them getting distracted and hopping off.
Safety
Dog treadmills need to be safe for your dog, and most are. The important thing for safety is that your dog treadmill does not have any exposed moving parts which might catch onto a tuft of your dog’s hair.
While catching on some of your dog’s hair will be a painful experience for your dog, there is no real chance of lasting harm. But, your dog will probably grow to associate the unsafe doggie treadmill with a painful experience, which will make them more reluctant to hop back on.
So, opt for doggie treadmills that have automatic deactivation, no exposed parts, and no sharp edges that your canine friend might hurt themselves on accidentally.
You might also want to beware of using doggie treadmills outside because their engines can overheat, but this is a very minor concern overall.
Noise
Believe it or not, noise is a major concern for dog treadmills for two reasons. The first reason is that your dog has a very sensitive sense of hearing, and, much like how many dogs despise the sound of the vacuum cleaner, treadmills emit mechanical noises which may bother dogs.
The second reason is that loud treadmills may bother you or your neighbors — but this is probably not a major concern because dog treadmills aren’t any louder than normal treadmills for humans.
So, the best doggie treadmills either have quiet engines or some noise insulation which aims to prevent your dog from being intimidated by what they may perceive as a mechanical cacophony.
If your dog finds that their treadmill is painfully loud, there is not a very good chance of teaching them how to use it properly. In other words, noise is a major concern, especially if your pup is finicky with regard to other mechanical noises like the vacuum cleaner or garage door.
Durability
Unfortunately, it’s often the case that products made for dogs are of lower quality than the products created for humans. Dog treadmills are no exception, but they also have to put up with the added stressors of dog hair and maybe even your pup’s saliva.
When your dog runs on the treadmill, they may shed at a slightly increased rate by virtue of moving around. Especially for dogs which are heavy shedders like Labradors, a lot of hair can shake off during a run on the treadmill — and immediately fall into hard-to-clean crevasses.
If these sheddings build up inside of the treadmill, they may eventually cause problems. Some doggie treadmills are easier to clean than others, but either way, the durability of the treadmill itself is a major factor because you may not get to clean the treadmill every time.
If your dog is a slobberer, like most Newfoundlands, there may also be durability considerations for your doggie treadmill. Most doggie treadmills are at least somewhat resistant to stray bits of slobber, but more serious slobberers can still cause issues in some treadmills.
Dog Treadmill Reviews
1. dogPACER LF 3.1 Dog Pacer Treadmill
- SPECIFICATIONS - Dimensions folded: L-42.28" W-22" H-8.5" | Dimensions open: L-76.77" W-27.16" H-46.18" | Treadmill Height: 46 In | Overhead Bar Height: 36.5 In | Running area: 71" X 16.5" | Computer...
- HEALTHY WEIGHT – A consistent regiment of exercise and diet will lead to a healthier, happier and longer life for your dog.
- TIME – Because of busy and hectic schedules, we often find it a challenge to walk our dogs after a long day spent in the office.
Last update on 2024-12-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The dogPACER LF 3.1 Dog Pacer Treadmill is a great dog treadmill for small and medium-size dogs who want to scamper at high speed but might be a bit distractible.
The dogPACER LF 3.1 works for smaller dogs because its tapered design makes it easy to mount. For medium size dogs, there is enough distance to run at a fair speed without worrying about crashing into the control pad at the end.
The engine on the dogPACER is powerful and enables running speeds of up to 7.5 miles per hour — essentially a dog’s sprinting speed. The caveat is that the higher the speed that you run this treadmill on, the more noise it will make.
The engine, while strong, is loud, even at lower powers. But your dog will face the loudest engine noises at maximum treadmill speed. The good news is that you may be able to coax a noise-sensitive dog to run on the treadmill at low speeds, then crank it up slowly over time.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Soft guide walls.
- Tapered ramp construction.
- Durable.
Cons
- The control pad is a bit low to be human-friendly
2. GoPet Petrun PR725 Dog Treadmill Indoor Exercise / Fitness Kit
The GoPet Petrun PR725 Dog Treadmill Indoor Exercise / Fitness Kit is a high-end dog treadmill that will serve all of your dog’s treadmill needs regardless of their speed, sensitivity to noise, or shedding.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Can be used indoors or outdoors.
- Great for dogs of all sizes.
- Quiet.
Cons
- Side rails may not obscure dog vision enough to prevent distractions
Make no mistake: this PR725 is the Cadillac model of dog treadmills. The treadmill can be a great tool for dogs of any size, desired running speed, shedding, or slobbering — but distractible dogs still might need some extra help to stay on the treadmill.
The guard rails work to keep your dog from jumping off spontaneously, but they don’t prevent your dog from noticing something in their peripheral vision which might make them want to jump off.
While the quality of their workout won’t suffer so much if they manage to get back on the treadmill after being distracted, you may need to intervene to restart it if they are hesitant to hop back on the treadmill while it is moving.
3. Go Pet Petrun Pr700 Dog Treadmill Indoor Exercise / Fitness Kit
The Go Pet Petrun Pr700 Dog Treadmill Indoor Exercise / Fitness Kit is a compact treadmill that caters to dogs who are sensitive to noise or intimidatingly narrow treadmill spaces.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Great for skittish dogs.
- Best for small dogs.
- Width is better for claustrophobic dogs.
Cons
- Low maximum speeds
This dog treadmill is great for small dogs who are a bit scared of enclosed spaces or noisy machines. The wide runway makes for a welcoming space for dogs with a few extra pounds.
However, the runway is a bit shorter than what the fastest of dogs might want. Smaller dogs may experience difficulty reaching their max speeds without flying off of the front.
Thankfully, the treadmill is quiet, so it shouldn’t spook any of your dogs who hate the vacuum cleaner.
4. GoPet Treadmill Giant
For the largest and fastest dogs, the GoPet Treadmill Giant might be the right choice.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Built tough for the largest dogs.
- Can go extremely fast.
- Slobber-resistant.
Cons
- Takes up a lot of space.
Your giant dog needs a treadmill that can keep up with its big strides, fast pace, long body, and heavy weight. That’s where this GoPet Treadmill Giant comes into the picture.
This dog treadmill can endure endless jogging by your Great Dane, especially if they feel like they need to sprint quickly. No matter how terrible the weather is outside, your giant puppy will be galloping all day long on this treadmill.
But, it’ll take up a lot of space in your house because of how large it is. There’s no way to make it take up less space either, so you should dedicate a space as a doggy workout area.
5. Gopet Treadwheel
The Gopet Treadwheel is the treadmill that your dog can run on even when the power is out.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No electricity needed.
- High safety.
- No risk of falling off or getting caught in the mechanisms
Cons
- May be uncomfortable for larger dogs
With the treadwheel, your dog can hop on and off to run for a while without any human intervention. This means that your dog can be more independent using the treadwheel than they could be with any other dog treadmill.
There’s also no chance for this treadmill to scare off a dog who dislikes the noise or narrow spaces. And, because the treadwheel won’t turn unless your dog is running on it, you may find that it is easier to habituate your dog to using the wheel.
The only issue is that larger dogs may find that they outrun their legs while on this treadwheel. Because they’ll need to be running on an incline more than with smaller dogs, they may find the treadwheel to be uncomfortable. But smaller dogs shouldn’t have any problems.
Wrapping Up
Now that we’re done with our dog treadmill roundup, it’s time to see which one we think is the best choice for your pup.
In our view, the dogPACER 91641 LF 3.1 Full Size Dog Pacer Treadmill, Black and Red is the overall best dog treadmill on account of its versatility, high ease of use for your dog, and acceptable noise profile. The blinders on the sides are a nice bonus which your dog can use to stay focused while running.
The runner up is the GoPet Treadwheel - Indoor/Outdoor Exercise for Large Dogs because of its high safety and friendliness to skittish smaller dogs, which means that your small dog will be more likely to use it than a loud or claustrophobic treadmill.
That ties up our breakdown of the best dog treadmills on the market. Remember that you’ll probably need to work with your dog a few times to get them comfortable with most dog treadmills because of how foreign the concept may be to them.
