How to Measure Your Dog for a Wheelchair (Step-by-Step)

Why careful measuring matters

A wheelchair only works if it fits. The right measurements determine frame size, wheel height, saddle width, and balance—comfort, safety, and confidence all start here.

Honestly, if you don’t get the right size wheelchair for your dog they will be uncomfortable, they may not be able to walk (or not be fully supported), and they may even injure themselves. That doesn’t mean you can’t buy a secondhand wheelchair off Facebook Marketplace, it just means you need to do you homework and make sure its the right size wheelchair before you buy.

Your best bet is to buy your dog’s new cart directly from the manufacturer, where you can get advice and support directly from their Customer Care team.

What you’ll need

A helper (two is even better for large dogs)
Metal tape measure or yardstick (avoid cloth tapes; they stretch or can easily be pulled too tight)
Treats and a calm environment, a non-slip surface can be helpful
Notepad or phone for photos/video and notes
Optional: a belly sling or long towel to gently support your dog

Quick posture guide (brand-specific!)

Walkin’ Wheels: Measure rear leg height with your dog lying on their side (leg in a natural standing bend). Do not measure your dog’s leg height while the dog is standing. (A dog with weak back legs that is standing may actually sink down a bit and not be able to stand at its full height, causing you to get a measurement that’s too short.)
K9 Carts: Measurements are ideally taken with your dog standing. If your dog must lie on their side, follow their correction note below.
Eddie’s Wheels: All measurements are taken with your dog in a healthy, supported standing position (use a sling if needed). Metal tape only; some widths require a cardboard “caliper.”

Note: If you are purchasing a custom-built wheelchair (such as K9 Carts or Eddie’s Wheels), the measurements must be exact. Some veterinarians can take the measurements for you to ensure you get the right size wheelchair for your pet the first time.

Brand-by-brand instructions

Walkin’ Wheels (rear cart sizing)

Smaller dogs (especially teacup breeds) will need an additional measurement beyond your dog’s height and weight.

Weigh your dog. Weight + rear leg height determine frame/wheel size.
Rear Leg Height (core measurement).
- Lay your dog on their side.
- Position one rear leg in a natural standing bend (don’t stretch it straight).
- Measure from the crease where the thigh meets the body (fold of the flank) down to the toe pads. Record in inches.
- Important: Do not take this measurement with the dog standing; it leads to under-measuring for mobility-impaired dogs.
Length (small pets under 25 lb). Measure from the back of the front leg (armpit) to the end of the body (rump).
Confirm fit. Use Walkin’ Pets’ online sizing guide, the SureFit calculator, to verify the recommended frame and wheel size. Their customer care team is excellent and always willing to help over the phone as well!

If you are ordering a full support wheelchair, you shouldn’t need any additional measurements beyond the armpit-to-rump measurement. Their front attachments are designed to match up with a specific size rear wheelchair. So as long as you get your main measurements correctly, you will automatically get the right size front wheels.

Walkin’ Wheels “don’ts”:

Don’t measure rear leg height in a standing position, unless their hind end is being fully supported by either a person or a lifting harness.
Don’t straighten or pull the leg; keep it in its natural bend. A leg that is stretched or fully extended will give you a false measurement that will lead to a too-tall wheelchair.

K9 Carts (rear & full-support carts)

K9 Carts uses four basic measurements, ideally with your dog standing:

Height: Top of back (at the shoulder blades/withers region) straight down to the floor.
Length: From the midpoint of the shoulders to the midpoint of the hips.
Width: Straight across the widest point of the body (not wrapped).
Girth: Circumference around the chest at the widest point.

If your dog can’t stand: K9 Carts notes you can measure on the side using the bottom of the foot pads as the “floor” and keeping the leg in a natural standing bend (don’t stretch it straight). Have a helper.

K9 Carts “don’ts”:

Don’t take “lying down” measurements without applying their side-lying correction (use the foot pads as the floor).
Don’t skip a helper—bad measurements are a top reason for poor fits. Using a second person (and double-checking your measurements) will make the job a whole lot easier!

Eddie’s Wheels (custom rear, front, and quad carts)

Eddie’s Wheels requires precise measurements with your dog supported in a normal, healthy standing position (use a sling/towel if needed). Use a metal tape and create a cardboard caliper for widths. Double (and even triple) check your measurements.

For rear carts, you will need to take five measurements, A–E:

A — Withers height: Follow the front legs up to the top of the back at the shoulder blades; measure straight down to floor.
B — Body length: Center of front leg to the beginning of the rear leg (guides side rail length ahead of the saddle).
C — Thigh width: Straight across the widest part of the thigh (don’t compress muscle). Check both legs; record the larger. (Welded dimension—double check!)
D — Floor to groin: Place your hand gently between the rear legs and push up to the pelvic floor (bone), then measure straight down to the floor.
E — Widths (three separate spots): Use your caliper to measure straight across the widest points at shoulders, ribs, and rump. Leave ~¼″ clearance for smooth-coated dogs.

(Front and quad carts require an additional four measurements; follow the same standing posture rules.) Don’t be shy about asking for help–when it comes to a custom cart with complicated measurements, its ok to ask your Vet or rehab specialist to measure your dog for you.

Eddie’s Wheels “don’ts”:

Don’t use a cloth tape.
Don’t measure while sitting/roached or with head turned—keep a level, forward-facing stand with sling support.
Don’t guess widths—build the caliper and measure straight across.

Pro tips for stress-free, accurate measuring

Set up on non-slip flooring (yoga mat or rug) and keep sessions short with frequent treats.
Measure twice (ideally on two different attempts) and take photos/videos from the side—brands can sanity-check measurements from photos.
Use a sling/towel to simulate a natural stance without weight-bearing pain.
Record exact numbers to the ¼″ (or 0.5 cm) and avoid rounding up/down.
Measure the dog, not the fur. Part the coat and keep the tape straight, not wrapped, unless the brand specifically requests a circumference (girth).

Common mistakes to avoid

Using the wrong posture for the brand. Lying-down rear-leg height is correct for Walkin’ Wheels, but K9 Carts and Eddie’s Wheels expect standing measurements. Don’t mix methods.
Stretching the leg straight (it shortens the needed rear height). Keep a natural bend. When measuring your dog’s leg, it should appear the same as it would if they were standing up Don’t stretch the leg as you measure.
Soft tape measures (they sag, can be pulled too tight, and add the potential for mismeasurement). Use a metal tape measure or yardstick.
Measuring on slick floors (dogs crouch or splay). Use a mat and sling for a neutral stance.
Rounding or guessing weight. Your dog’s weight influences both the wheelchair frame size and wheel choices (especially for Walkin’ Wheels). Also be aware that as your dog’s mobility has changed…their weight or muscle mass has likely changed as well. If in doubt, call the wheelchair company and talk to them before you buy. They have a lot of experience and know dog breeds really well, they can absolutely guide you to the right size for your dog.

After your cart arrives: quick fit checks (any brand)

Height: Side rails look level/parallel to the ground; paws touch lightly if the dog has rear use; toes are protected/off the ground if fully paralyzed.
Width: Two fingers can slide between hips and frame blocks (no rubbing).
Balance: Chest/shoulder straps are supportive but not tight; saddle cradles the pelvis without pressure points.

If something seems off, use each brand’s adjustment guides or call support—they’re great at walking you through tweaks.

Fast reference (bookmark this!)

Walkin’ Wheels: Rear leg height measured lying on side, natural bend; small dogs also need armpit-to-rump. Use the SureFit tools.
K9 Carts: Standing measurements—height, length, width, girth. If side-lying, use the foot pads as “floor.”
Eddie’s Wheels: Standing with sling support; A–E for rear carts (A: withers height, B: body length, C: thigh width, D: floor-to-groin, E: three body widths with a caliper). Metal tape only.

The Dog Mobility Project