Pet Trend Alert: Strollers for Dogs

It's commonplace for you to see people taking their dogs for a walk around your neighborhood. But what would you think if you saw a dog being pushed in a stroller? You read that right - a stroller! Even though it may seem a little strange, there are a growing number of pet parents who are now using strollers to transport their beloved dogs. Here are a few great reasons to have one for your own four-legged family member.

Older Dogs/Injured Dogs

If you would like to take your dog on a walk or need to get him from one place to the other, this can be difficult if he's a senior dog, injured, or has hip problems. A stroller is a great way to take him with you. He can walk as far as he can, but has the choice of getting back into the stroller if he needs to rest.

Access to Various Places

Strollers allow your dog to go with you on almost any outing, whether you are window shopping downtown, stopping to eat at a pet-friendly restaurant, or even going to the mall! There are many malls that now allow dogs to be wheeled around in strollers (call ahead to make sure you're in compliance with the rules).

Oftentimes, you may need to take your dog with you to a place or an event that is extremely crowded and difficult to walk around with a dog on a leash. Strollers are perfect for these situations. Also, if the vet waiting room can get a little too hectic and stressful, bring the stroller to your next visit.

Fun Family Activities

Do you and your family love getting outdoors to jog, hike, or go boating? During these times, you may have figured it was easier to leave your dog at home even though it would have been more fun if the whole family could be involved. With a stroller, your dog can easily join you. There are plenty of good jogging pet strollers available, whether you've got a small dog who cannot keep up, or an older dog that can't make it for the entire distance.

Does your family spend a lot of time on the water? Loading the dog on to the boat in a stroller (and letting him stay there for the duration of the boat trip if he's nervous), makes it much easier and less worrisome for everyone involved.

Hiking is a fun way to get exercise, but what do you do when the trail terrain gets too rough for your furry friend? Place him in an all-terrain stroller and keep on rolling!

You don't have to let the weather stop you from heading outside, either. If it's hot outside, the stroller provides shade (just like a baby stroller) and keeps your dog's sensitive paws off of hot pavement. Most strollers come with storage underneath that allows you to store water and other necessities. Is it snowing outside? No problem - continue to keep his paws protected from the cold ice and snow as you enjoy a walk in the winter wonderland together.

OK, But is This Really Necessary for My Dog?

Pet strollers are extremely sturdy and built to handle all the rigors that your dog might put it through. Pick a stroller that meets you and your dogs needs, whether it's a jogging stroller, a stroller with a log of storage space, or a stroller big enough to fit both of your dogs. There are many different types of dog strollers available for you to try out.

One thing to keep in mind if you're thinking about purchasing a stroller is whether or not your dog will enjoy it. Smaller dogs tend not to mind being carried, in which case a stroller may be perfect for her. However, if your dog is more "independent" and loves to roam free, this may not be the right choice. Just like crate training, you will need to establish that the stroller is her own special "place" and you may need to spend time with her so she can get used to being inside of it before you venture outside of the home.

Although this may seem like just a "fad" or passing "trend", a stroller makes sense for so many different scenarios. In some instances, the stroller may let you take your dog to different places that you wouldn't have normally taken her. Dogs are such a huge part of our families and lives, why not include them as often as we can? Trips With Pets has wonderful pet stroller options available on their website.

Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of TRIPSwithPETS.com. She founded the pet travel site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet travel. Her popular pet travel site features pet friendly hotels & accommodations across the United States, along with other helpful pet travel resources. Her mission is to ensure that pets are welcome, happy, and safe in their travels.