Us dogs are active animals, we love to run around and jump and play, and when we can’t do that for whatever reason – busy owners, apartment living, injuries – we tend to put our energy into more destructive behaviours. Thankfully, a furry friend of mine recently turned me onto a great tool to help improve the health and wellness of me and my fellow pups: dog treadmills.
After doing a ton of research looking for the very best dog treadmills for active dogs like myself, I’m finally ready to share my findings.
QUICK PICKS (Best Treadmills for Dogs)
DogPACER Minipacer Treadmill
GoPet Petrun Pr700 Dog Treadmill
dogPACER LF 3.1 Full Size Dog Pacer Treadmill
GoPet TreadWheel for Large Dogs
PETSITE Dog Treadmill
DogTread Premium Small Dog Treadmill
My parents haven’t had the time to take me on walks or to stretch my legs at the dog park like they used to. Maybe it’s because it’s been raining a lot, or they’re nervous about encountering other dogs and neighbors (thanks to covid-19), or it could just be they’ve been busy on zoom calls, which I like to interrupt, might I add.
Whether you have an Australian shepherd, golden retriever, lab, or border collie (like me), this is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. You can trust me when I say “Your Dog Wants This”.
I’ve managed to narrow the list down to four…so the products you’ll find on this list are far and away the best dog treadmills on the market.
1. DogPACER Minipacer Treadmill
Product Specifications
Brand: dogPACER
Weight: 22 kg
Dimensions: 43” x 22” x 29”
Speed: 8-12.0 KPH
Pet Weight up to: 55 pounds
Price: $535 (Amazon.com)
The Minipacer is a crowd favorite and the perfect treadmill for smaller dogs. Even though I’m looking to shed a few pounds this season, my summer body can still use this treadmill because it supports up to 55 pounds of weight.
I would have asked my parents for this model, since it’s so compact and can fit in smaller spaces, but unfortunately I’m a growing girl and I might outgrow this by next year.
2. GoPet Petrun Pr700 Dog Treadmill
Product Specifications
Brand: GoPet
Weight: 63 pounds
Dimensions: 46″ x 23″ x 11″
Speed: 0.6 – 7.4 MPH
Pet Weight up to: 44 pounds
Price: $560 (gopetusa.com); $671.59 (amazon.com)
This is one of the most famous treadmills out there. I love the fact that they have a metal eyelet for when I want to play and run at the same time. When I was testing all these treadmills out, I would get a workout in and then chew the belt with Doc the Min Pin afterward. But like I said, I’m now a bit heavier.
This treadmill has a low running platform so it’s easy for small breeds to jump on. According to 37 fur parents that have reviewed this treadmill, they liked the fact that it’s nice and quiet so it doesn’t startle the dogs.
3. dogPACER LF 3.1 Full Size Dog Pacer Treadmill
Product Specifications
Brand: dogPACER
Weight: 97 pounds
Dimensions: 77” × 28” × 47”
Speed: 8-12.0 kph (0.1 increments)
Pet Weight up to: 180 pounds
Price: $499.00 (dogPACER.com); $558.55 (amazon.com)
I’m a huge fan of this one. Aside from the fact that it’s big enough for me, I can still share it with Luna, my sister who is a toy poodle, since this is a one size fits all treadmill. The speed can be adjusted to accommodate any size dog.
It has a patented design for the treadmill to be foldable, so it’s portable and easy to tuck away in the closet if needed or taken with you on vacation.
Another thing I like about this is that it has pre-set exercise programs to suit every dog’s needs. Max was injured a few months ago and had to undergo training and therapy to heal his knees. He had to use this as part of his recovery program.
4. GoPet TreadWheel for Large Dogs
Product Specifications
Brand: GoPet
Weight: 200 pounds
Dimensions: 70″ x 35″ x 65″
Pet Weight up to: 150 pounds
Price: $1,720.00 (gopetusa.com); $2,338.61 (amazon.com)
This is an interesting one. While in pursuit of the best dog treadmill, this one kept popping up almost everywhere I went. It can accommodate just about any sized dog, and even has a training door for first-time users. It also has an unlimited running surface because, well, it’s a wheel. I look like a hamster on this machine. I’ve always wanted to be a hamster, running and eating all day. Sounds like doggie heaven to me!
It doesn’t have a motor, so your dog will be the one to power it. Wow! I can even use this when I’m bored and I don’t even have to remind my parents to plug it in. Gone are the days when I have to jump on my parents’ bed just to wake them up for a walk.
If you don’t like the idea of it inside your house, this one will do just fine in the backyard, as it is also UV resistant.
Additional Picks: Best Budget-Friendly Treadmills
Though there is no complete alternative to playing and running outside, treadmills can help us, fur babies to burn that excess energy, lose some weight, or recover from an injury when we can’t go out due to many different circumstances.
If you like the idea of getting your pup a treadmill but money is a little tight right now, here are two additional options to consider:
5. PETSITE Dog Treadmill
Product Specifications
Brand: PETSITE
Weight: 47.5 Pounds
Dimensions: 49” x 21” x 28”
Speed: 0.5-7.5 mph
Pet Weight up to: 200 pounds
Price: $299.99 (amazon.com)
This budget-friendly treadmill is perfect for small to medium dogs. Though it cannot fit large dogs, it can bear up to 200 pounds of weight. It is waterproof and has detachable oxford cloth to block the fur baby’s sight for maximum concentration.
It can easily be assembled in 20 minutes.
With the built-in wheels, this one can easily be stored and moved around at will. My dad’s sister has a Dachshund who likes to pretend he’s a police officer. His mom would never be able to store/hide this away since he would sniff his way back to it.
6. DogTread Premium Small Dog Treadmill
Product Specifications
Brand: DogTread
Weight: 47 pounds
Dimensions: 44” x 20” x 21”
Speed: not specified
Pet Weight up to: 30 pounds
Price: $279.99 (amazon.com)
This treadmill caught my attention strictly due to the appearance. Is it a treadmill from Back to the future? We may never know, but I love that flick.
This treadmill by DogTread has a treat holder for a convenient way to hold and dispense treats for dogs who are still not used to treadmill training. It boasts a whisper-quiet motor and is seam/mesh/hole-free to prevent small paws from getting caught.
Its natural running platform and manual incline options provide versatility as it can increase the intensity of the training and simulate outdoor terrain. This is perfect for apartments, or homes with less space as it is designed to be space-saving and portable. Its transportation wheels make it easy for the owners to move it to any location as well.
Whatever treadmill you decide to purchase for your dog, it is very important to choose the one that fits your specific needs as well as those of the pups.
Just remember, treadmills are not an alternative and cannot replace outdoor activities because such activities stimulate the bodies and minds of us dogs (also because we still need to chase down the mailman, but I digress). Please also remember never to leave your pups on a treadmill unsupervised.