Dogs need each day exercise to maintain their physical and mental health in good condition. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a teacup Yorkie, German Shepherd, or Great Dane.
Although a dog’s energy levels differ depending on their breed, every dog still needs some type of exercise. But how do dogs get this exercise?
While most individuals take their dogs on walks, not everyone has the time or weather conditions to walk them each day. One alternative is the dog treadmill, which differs from a daily treadmill in several ways.
On this blog post, I’ll discuss the differences between a dog treadmill vs. human treadmill.
Dog Treadmill vs. Human Treadmill
Dog treadmills and human treadmills work on the identical concept, but are fundamentally different.
Each are equipment where people and dogs can walk or run while remaining in a single place. It’s a fast and convenient way of getting some much-needed exercise each day.
Nevertheless, these two kinds of treadmills differ on the next grounds:
- The Walking or Running Track
- The Speed Settings
- Power Source
- The Motor Ventilation System
- The Motor Sound
- The Treadmill Belt
- Side Panels or Side Rails
- Built-In Exercise Programs
A dog and a human treadmill will differ in each mentioned category. That’s since you and your dog move in another way and have different physical attributes.
So, the manufacturers of each bit of kit take their goal audiences in mind when designing the treadmills: dogs or people.
1. The Walking or Running Track
A dog treadmill normally has longer and wider walking tracks to accommodate their long strides and natural gaits.
In contrast, human treadmills have shorter and narrower tracks because our strides and gaits aren’t so long as a dog’s.
It may be suitable for small to medium-breed dogs to make use of human treadmills, but larger dogs might struggle. It could not allow them to fall behind and catch up as dogs naturally do when walking and running.
2. The Speed Settings
Most human treadmills can’t go as slow as dog treadmills can. It may be effective for larger dogs with longer strides to take a cushty slow-paced walk.
Nevertheless, those speeds may be too fast for a cushty slow-paced walk for small or medium dogs.
3. Power Source
An electrical supply or movement can power each dog and human treadmills. An electrical treadmill’s motor gets energy out of your power socket with the electrical supply, and the track starts to maneuver.
But a movement-powered treadmill only moves when the dog or person starts walking on it.
Movement-Powered Treadmills
A manual human treadmill won’t be as secure for dogs. That’s since it takes a whole lot of power and energy to get the track moving. At the identical time, in the event that they do get it moving, it may be difficult to decelerate.
Because these treadmills are made with people in mind, they consider people’s weight, gait, and movement. While giant or large dog breeds won’t necessarily have a problem, small and medium dogs could.
Imagine a dog gets the manual human treadmill moving, goes right into a sprint, and needs to stop. Then it would take longer for the track to decelerate than the dog’s energy levels allow.
The dog weighs much lower than the typical human does. So, it would take longer for the load to counteract the track’s speed, leaving the track to run for longer than the dog could manage.
The dog doesn’t have the energy to decelerate the pace, so the still-moving track could make them fall.
A manual dog treadmill is specifically designed with dogs in mind, so it’s easier to regulate speeds. It doesn’t take as much weight, and subsequently effort, to maneuver the track or decelerate.
This manner, if the dog is trained to make use of it safely, you’ll be able to leave your dogs to exercise by themselves.
Electric-Powered Treadmills
Each dog and human electric-powered treadmills could also be secure for dogs, although you’ll read differing opinions online.
You’ll need to watch and adjust the speed so your dog can sustain. Nevertheless, bear in mind that electric treadmills won’t decelerate by themselves.
It will be best to supervise your dog when using either the human or dog electric treadmill. In case your dog gets drained, you’ll be able to decelerate the speed and provides your dog a likelihood to rest.
4. The Motor Ventilation System
A human treadmill’s power source or motor is generally encased but not sealed completely. This enables air to maneuver through the motor, allowing the system to chill off and never overheat.
Nevertheless, suppose your dog uses your treadmill. Their hair and dirt can develop into trapped contained in the motor and cause systemic damage, which your warranty won’t cover.
Then again, a dog treadmill is totally sealed off and has its own cooling system. This manner, your dog’s hair can’t get trapped contained in the motor, nevertheless it still gets the cooling it needs.
5. The Motor Sound
Because some dogs could be skittish, most dog treadmills are quieter than human treadmills. Not only are the noise levels lower, but so are the vibrations.
Dogs can get easily frightened by the unfamiliar vibrations below their feet and form negative associations with the exercise. So, the quiet design of dog treadmills is superb for those dogs.
Human treadmills have louder hums and vibrations, which could be scary to dogs. Nevertheless, many dogs get used to the sound and sensations and cope well on human treadmills.
6. The Treadmill Belt
The belt or track of most human treadmills forms a niche between itself and the side of the treadmill. While it doesn’t affect people much, it could possibly be dangerous to dogs. A dog’s paw, nails, coat, or tail can get caught within the gap and cause injury.
7. Side Panels or Side Rails
Human treadmills normally have side handles that allow us to carry on when needed. These handles won’t help dogs, though.
A dog treadmill normally has side rails or panels that keep a dog from falling off and makes training on the treadmill easy.
You possibly can attach your dog’s leash to the rail and depend on the side panel to maintain your dog on the track in any respect times.
8. The Way People and Dogs Walk: Center of Gravity
Treadmills are designed to support the user’s movement, and their ability to balance relies on their center of gravity. This center is different for people and dogs. Here’s what meaning:
- People have bipedal movements, which implies we move with two legs. One foot is within the air while one other is on the bottom.
Our center of gravity is generally just under our belly buttons. We are able to move with stability with just one foot touching the ground or treadmill.
- Dogs have quadruped movements, which implies they move with 4 legs. Gábor Horváth of Eötvös University says that “when walking slowly, a dog’s body is supported in any respect times by three feet on the bottom, which forms a triangle.
The closer their center of mass is to the middle of those three points, the more stable they shall be.”
So, a human treadmill is designed to accommodate the best way we move. Then again, a dog treadmill is designed to accommodate their movements.
Can Dogs Use Human Treadmills?
There are different opinions in relation to dogs using human treadmills. Some suggest that it’s not secure to your canine companion, while others suggest it’s.
Hopkins Animal Hospital suggests that “Improper training or use of a treadmill may cause your dog to develop into injured. There are treadmills specifically made for dogs, but it’s also possible to use a human treadmill.”
It’s possible that a human treadmill could be used to your dog, but you’ll have to think about whether your dog would adapt to it. You must consider the next:
- Will your dog be stable enough on the treadmill?
- Can your dog keep their balance on the equipment?
- Does the treadmill have a slow enough speed, so your dog is comfortable?
- Is there any way your dog’s feet, nails, or tail can get caught somewhere?
- Does your dog know the right way to get on and off safely?
- Is your treadmill the suitable size to your dog?
- Do you have got an electric-powered treadmill? If you have got the self-powered one, your dog might struggle to get off after a sprint. They may be too drained to decelerate their speed and get hurt in the method.
The principal goal is to maintain your dog secure while allowing them to exercise. So, in case you train your dog to walk or run on a human treadmill safely, you’re good to go.
Nevertheless, in case your dog is simply too big, small, slow, or fast to your treadmill, you would possibly consider getting a dog-specific treadmill as a substitute.
Conclusion on Dog Treadmill vs. Human Treadmill
Dog treadmills are specifically designed to accommodate the best way dogs move. The identical goes for human treadmills.
The incontrovertible fact that we move in another way from our canine counterparts signifies that the equipment will even be different.
Nevertheless, your dog may have the opportunity to walk in your human treadmill if trained properly and it’s suitable for his or her size and speed.
Nobody knows your dog higher than you do. So, consider your dog and their specific capabilities and wishes.
For those who do that, you’ll safely determine whether your dog will adapt to a human treadmill or need a dog treadmill’s specific features as a substitute.
It’s ultimately as much as you, but consider every little thing you’ve learned on this post. You may all the time seek the advice of your local vet or dog trainer in case you’re still unsure.
