How To Get An Old Dog Into The Car

Unfortunately as dogs gets older, it becomes harder and harder for them to get into the car by themselves and it is not always the best solution to lift him/her into the car by yourself. That is why the best way to get an old dog into the car is to use a dog car ramp or foldable dog car stairs. These devices reduce the risk of your dog putting excessive strain on his/her joints, tearing a ligament or doing harm to an existing injury. Alternatively you can learn proper dog lifting technique to reduce the risk of you getting back strain.

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How To Properly Lift An Old Dog Into The Car

The technique for lifting a dog into a car depends on what breed they are, and more specifically how big your dog is. It can be split into two techniques – lifting for small dogs and lifting for medium/large dogs.

Small Dog Lifting Technique

Small dogs are the easiest type to lift into a car. When your dog gets old it won’t be a problem to lift them into a car yourself. All you need to do is scoop them up with both arms and them place them in the designated spot in your vehicle.

I would also suggest to put a dog car seat cover hammock underneath your dog before lifting him/her into the car to protect your car interior. Alternatively with a small dog breed you can use a soft travel crate to give your dog the highest level of security while travelling.

Medium/Large Dog Lifting Technique

Evidently medium and large dogs are much heavier than small dogs and therefore proper lifting technique needs to be learned to put them into a car.

To lift a medium or large dog into the car you need to:

Place their front paws on the floor/footwell of your vehicle
Cradle their hind end and lift them up into the car
Do not place strain on your dog’s abdomen or back legs

For medium and large dogs, using a travel crate is not the best way to travel in the car due to their size. For these breeds a dog car seat cover and a dog car seatbelt should be used.

Dangers Of Lifting An Old Dog Into A Car

1. Worsen Pre-existing Injuries Of Your Dog

Old dogs can have lots of pre-existing injuries. One very common one is arthritis. By lifting your dog into a car you might be worsening an injury and causing your dog pain.

2. Put Stress & Strain On Your Own Body

Dogs can be super heavy and not very willing to help you in the process of getting into the car, especially tired old dogs. While you might be saving stress to your dog’s joints by lifting him/her into the car instead of letting them jump in you might injure yourself in the process. Common injury locations from lifting a dog include your back, arms, shoulders and legs.

3. Make Your Dog Anxious To Get Into The Car

Lifting an old dog into a car might not go as planned. For example you might accidentally put pressure on your dog’s abdomen or legs and drop your dog in an uncomfortable position in the car. This might make your dog anxious about getting into the car the next time.

Solution: Use A Dog Car Ramp or Stairs

The Ultimate Dog Ramp Guide | Dogs of Australia

There are two main products that you can use instead of lifting your old dog into the car. These are dog car ramps and dog car stairs. Dog car ramps are generally easier for older dogs to walk up as the slope is more gentle, especially for old dogs with arthritis. However if you want a more compact design, dog car stairs are a better option.