Are weighted dog packs safe?
I was thinking about getting my dog a dog pack that is weighted. But I was concerned if this could lead to health problems when its older. Such as arthritis or other bone related problems. What do you guys think? Is it safe? If its safe, how much weight should I put on a 90-100 pound (lean) dog? How long would I walk him with that weight?
A back pack does two things, one it gives your dog a job, their attitude changes with a back pack on, secondly it turns a 30 minute walk into a 45 minute walk. Simply put four water bottles in the pack, two on each side (full bottles) that way the dog carries your water and his. By the time you get to the end of the walk you will have probably removed two bottles of water drinking them. Walk him like you normally would, if you only go for 30 mins then with the pack it will be like you walked for 45 and so on.
You’re not putting 50 lb weights in the pack, you aren’t making them carry a lot of weigh on their back and joints, the back pack doesn’t do that since you aren’t filling it with a lot of weight and it’s evenly distributed on either side. It won’t lead to health problems it’ll make your dog fitter.
I don’t do it all the time, my dog usually only carries a back pack when we go some place and she carries my stuff.