Tips on buying a pet jogging stroller

You will need to consider the size and weight of your dog. Allow for growth and increase of weight if your pooch is still not fully grown. Measure your dog, write the measurements down and make sure that your dog can move around easily within the stroller. See our article on How to Measure Your Dog for a Stroller.

When looking at strollers take note of the size and capacity of the dog pushchair. Most products will have these details listed either on the box or on the on-line product description. They will also indicate the maximum weight that the stroller can take. If you are buying a dog stroller for two small dogs, again combine their weight and sizes to ensure that they will be comfortable inside.

There will be some economy dog jog strollers and some expensive ones. Have a think about how much you will use it. Will you use it every day? Or will it only be used when you want to lose a little excess weight? Are you only using it for a short period as your dog recovers from a medical injury? All the jogging strollers are suitable for the purpose of jogging with your dog. Obviously the more expensive ones will last longer.

Also bear in mind how much shipping costs are. Don’t be caught out buying a £60 stroller which costs another £30 to ship to you! If you wish to buy on line, look for a supplier who will ship for free or for a small charge.

We all live in different parts of the country, so bear in mind where you live and what surfaces the jogging stroller will have to deal with. If you use the stroller for shopping, all strollers will be able to cope with that. But think about your jogging route. Is it smooth terrain? Is it a tad bumpy? Make sure that your stroller can deal with your chosen route.

Pet Jogging Stroller designers know what they are doing when it comes to designing the dog jog pushchair. When you shop around you will notice that jogging strollers for pets will have certain sized wheels and will look different from standard strollers. They will tend to only have three wheels and these wheel sizes will vary. So if you are planning to jog with your dog there is a wheel size for you!

In general the more jogging and running you plan to do and the rougher the terrain you plan to travel on, the larger the wheel you should use on the front of your three-wheeled pet jogger. If you plan to walk or lightly jog on smooth surfaces then use a smaller wheel is ideal for you.

12 inch wheels are best for walking, primarily on smoother, flatter surfaces. Great for light jogging and trips to the shops.

16 inch wheels afford greater flexibility of use. This wheel size accommodates everything. Moreover, the larger wheel provides a smoother ride overall for the dog or pet, and a smoother run for you.

20 inch wheels is the right choice for the dedicated runner, especially if you go the distance over rough roads.

If you plan on taking the stroller away with you on a visit or holiday, you will need to find out how the stroller will fold up and see whether it can be stored away easily in the boot of your car or even on public transportation. Not all pet jogging strollers are designed equally when it comes to folding them up and transporting them around. Some can be tricky to fold and pack up with only one hand free. Some may even require the removal of a wheel which is usually the one at the front.

Like all outdoor activity and exercise recreations some hazards do exist. And you owe it to the dog or pet on board to keep them as safe as possible. There are some important factors to consider when choosing a dog jogging stroller. Make sure there is a good quality braking system which will be a handle brake. Sometimes you may need to stop abruptly. You will always need to be in control of the stroller, especially if you are jogging at a quick pace.

Make sure the handle has a good grip and that it is at a comfortable height for your own body height. Some strollers will have an adjustable handle for shorter and taller joggers. This is perfect if two members of the household wish to use the doggy jogging stroller. You could also invest in a wrist strap connector that connects you to the stroller if you ever let go by accident, it wont go hurtling off on it’s own.

People like to jog in all weathers, perhaps not on the snow and ice, but jogging on a sunny day or in a light rain shower can be very invigorating. If you plan on using a dog jogging pram than you will need to provide protection from the elements for your pet. Most good jogging dog strollers will come with a form of canopy and weatherproof covering.

Some strollers have an even more waterproof PVC cover, which they tend to sell separately. They simply cover the body of the stroller, so even the stroller doesn’t get wet. These covers can be rolled or folded up and stored in the storage compartment underneath.

The pet tends to be enclosed inside the stroller and the inner area is ventilated by mesh screens or windows with a waterproof top. This is perfect for days when the heavens may open with rain. The canopy coverings will also protect your dog from harmful UV rays, even pets can get sunburned too. The jogging dog stroller coverings will keep your pet cool in the summer and nice and dry in the wet weather.

Choose a stroller that has a good amount of storage for the jogging essentials. A compartment for your water, your dog’s water, hand towel and any doggy treats is essential so that you don’t have to carry anything on you. The storage area tends to be at the bottom of the stroller underneath the pet compartment.

You may be tempted to save money and buy a second hand jogging stroller, especially if you just want to try it out as a test run. There maybe some on auction sites or in the local advertiser. Just make sure that you know why they are selling the jogging stroller in the first place. If it wasn’t any use to them, it may not be any use to you.

Ask for all the product specifications and technical details beforehand. If you are able to visit the seller, do so and test it out first. Some sellers on auction sites will not be able to pay for free delivery and may charge you a high carriage fee for postage. You may even end up paying so much for a second hand used jogger, that you might as well bought a brand new one in the first place.

If you want to buy a used model make sure it’s in good working order. Check for holes in the fabric, seams and make sure the wheels have good tread and are in excellent working order. Also check that the braking system is exceptional.

If you are buying your pet jogging stroller on the hight street, then you could ask for a test drive. It’s a great way to try it out for yourself before parting with your cash. But if you can’t find one on the high street and have to buy on line, most stockists will have a return policy, as long as you return the jogging stroller in it’s packaging intact and clean.

Also take a look at any reviews, especially on Amazon. There you will get a good honest insight on how other people found the stroller. You will most probably find out about any particular niggles that people have had with the stroller that the manufacturers haven’t covered or even didn’t consider. reviewers will also tell you whether it’s value for money or not!

If you do happen to buy one on line and can leave a review, try and do so. It would be great to help another pet owner in their search for the right pet stroller. The idea of pet strollers and joggers is still new in the UK and any little detail can help someone buy the right stroller for them and their dog.