Pet Strollers - When They Should and Should Not Be Used

Strollers for pets? Who would think of such a thing? Why would anyone buy spend money on something so crazy?

Pet strollers may seem like a crazy ridiculous idea. Oftentimes they are associated with famous celebrities like Paris Hilton using their pets as accessories. Pet strollers are actually a lot more controversial than I ever though they would be. I have a pet stroller but ironically, I only believe in them under certain circumstances.

My dog is 10 pound Yorkshire Terrier. When I first got her she weighed a measly 1 pound. At the time I really wanted her to get fresh air and experience the world outside of the house. I purchased a pet stroller to keep her safe. It is not only not practical to take a 1 pound dog for a walk it is not safe in the same way it is not safe to allow a small baby to crawl around outside by themselves.

There are not collars or leashes that would fit her anything could happen including her falling down a drain. I used the pet stroller until she was large enough to walk with me. That being said my dog is excellent on a leash. She loves walking and the exercise is exceptionally good for her.

Dogs need exercise and keeping them confined in a pet stroller simply because they are not good on a leash or because you think it is cute is not fair to them. If they are not good walkers than they need you to help teach them how to be.

The only other instance that I feel pet strollers are acceptable are for dogs who are disabled and not able to walk. My mom for instance has a dog who recently had surgery on her little paws to remove cysts. She was not able to walk. Does this mean she shouldn't get to go for walks? They should be given the same experience of being outside surrounded by other dogs and fresh air that those dogs who can walk get to experience.

So it is hard to judge those using pet strollers unless you know their reasoning. For some it is a matter of keeping a puppy safe or giving a disabled dog the ability to still go for walks around the neighborhood and get some fresh air. For others it is pure laziness or the though that having a dog in a stroller is "cute".

Before judging, really understand why a dog is in a pet stroller.