As many of you know, I have a senior sister, Katie, who has dog mobility issues as well as several other health problems. Her back end has been losing strength for some time now, but lately she has been falling a lot, so I got her a harness to help her out.
In looking for the right product for Katie, I went to Solvit™ Products. Their motto is, “No pet left behind™”. Solvit specializes in highly functional, easy-to-use products for travel, active life, therapeutic and senior care. Solvit offers unparalleled mobility and support to make sure no dog is left behind.We certainly don’t want Katie left behind! I tested out a set of their stairs last year and was impressed, so I decided to order their CareLift™ Rear-Only Lifting Harness for Katie. They have so many wonderful products, you really must visit the Solvit Products website!
Katie was excited at the prospect of falling down less with the assistance of the harness and Mom’s help. She still enjoys walking, even though she is slow and can’t go very far. We were really pleased with the quality of the harness, and all the features!
For male dogs there is a male protector piece on the underside of the belly band. It can be easily removed for female dogs or if you want to wash the harness.
The harness is well padded, breathable, and washable. We haven’t noticed any discomfort or wearing on the fur or skin where the harness is in contact.
The belly belt can be adjusted to the correct size, and the leg loops can be adjusted on both ends.
On the belly belt end, you can move the hook up higher or lower between three positions. This feature is available on large harnesses. It is very easy to do.
We think the harness even looks nice, especially on Katie’s pretty white furs! Mom says the handle is real comfortable to hold onto. You can also attach a leash to the harness, or you can purchase a front harness and combine it with the rear harness for a complete lifting harness.
The CareLift Rear-Only Lifting Harness is simple to put on and takes only a few seconds. We have it down to four steps. You can also see in the short video how fast it goes getting it on the dog.
- Unbuckle the belly belt and the two let loops
- Put the belly belt around the dog a few inches from the base of the tail in the abdomen area
- Attach each leg loop to the back of the belly belt
- Grab the handle and start walking
Katie has no trouble at all adapting to walking with the harness on. The belly belt actually provides some support to the waist of the dog, and the leg loops help to support the hips. She is not wearing it on all her walks at this point, just on her “bad” days.
Dog mobility is an important piece in the quality of life puzzle. No one wants to need a lifting harness, but at some point it may be a big help for your dog. Because Solvit Products wants to keep dogs quality of life at its best, they are letting me give away one CareLift Rear-Only Lifting Harness in the correct size for your dog. All you have to do is enter to win through the giveaway widget below by entering your email address. If there is a problem with the widget, you can also get there by clicking here.
My GBGV Life was given a Solvit™ Products CareLift™ Rear-Only Lifting Harness in exchange for an honest review. The opinions in this review are of My GBGV Life and not influenced by any outsider. My GBGV Life will receive no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.
No purchase necessary. Giveaway is open to 18 and over US residents only. Giveaway will run from Friday, April 22, 2016 through Friday, April 29, 2016 at 11:59pm ET. One (1) winner will be randomly selected by PromoSimple and notified via email. The winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize; failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the prize. Participants must read and agree to PromoSimple’s and My GBGV Life Privacy Policy before entering and participating in this promotion.Prize is provided by Solvit Products and My GBGV Life is not responsible for prize fulfillment.
that is a great idea – Mom was looking to see if they make a front lift for Denny – he sometimes has trouble getting his front legs to support him
They have the front, the back, and they can be put together for a total lift. We love how comfortable and well made they are.
I saw this on their FB page a few weeks ago and I love it! Perfect for senior giant breeds! I’m jealous that you got to review it 😉
If you need one for your “giants”, you can enter to win one in whatever size you need. They are really nice.
Remarkable…it is amazing what is being created for our senior or needy dogs. XOXO Sparkle
It really is a help sometimes for Katie and most likely will become more of a help as she deteriorates. There are really a lot of great products out there.
My sister, the Boston terrier Hollee, is 14. She sometimes slips on the floor. This might help her as she ages. She tries so hard to be her old self but has hearing and vision issues. Sparkle
It’s hard when we get old. Katie is almost deaf too. She tries so hard but her body doesn’t always cooperate. Have you tried ToeGrips on her? They help with slipping. Katie has been wearing them since last fall.
I am so happy that Katie can go out and do small walks. I know you said she loves them
On her good days, she might walk about 45 minutes which is for her maybe a mile, but she enjoys the fresh air, leaving peemail, and just walking. Since we have all been avid walkers our entire lives we can’t just give it up and move to the couch. This helps out when she tires or on her bad days.
A few years back we were sent a lifting harness from another company. There was zero padding, looked uncomfortable and binding, and my senior dogs at the time (Tucker and Lucy) wanted no part of it. This lifter from Solvit looks fantastic! So glad you found it to help Katie enjoy life.
it is super soft and is made to offer comfortable support to the hip area. We love that it can be washed too!
It is so great all the products out there to help our older dogs.
The hardest thing is to figure out what to call the product you are looking for, but if you start googling, you will find almost anything needed.
This is a great way to help Katie! We need to look into their stairs for the car.
They have ramps for cars those might be better than stairs.
This would have been WONDERFUL for either Zeus or Lola. I’m sorry I didn’t know about it back then, but would love to get one to have on hand for Teutul.
Mom didn’t want to get one as it is kind of accepting reality, but she is glad she did and it is a wonderful tool to help out Katie.
Oh this is pawesome! Mommy wishes she had one of these when Ginger was having so many issues in December before she passed away. So glad it is helping Katie!
xoxo,
Matt & Matilda
It truly is a helpful tool.
That looks like an excellent harness for Katie.
It is really helpful when she is having weak days.
That is so great! I’m so glad that you’ve found something to help Katie get out for more walks, even when she’s having a bad day. It really does look comfortable and easy to put on. We don’t have need of one right now, but with both girls getting older, we may someday.
It is something that is good to have as you never know when it might be necessary.
What a wonderful product, Emma, and how thoughtful of you to get it for your beautiful sister!!
Smileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
I love Katie, so I want her to feel as good as she can.
i would love this, would be wonderful for my oldest who has back issues, and has a hard time standing and walking sometimes. thank you
It would be a wonderful help. Good luck to you.
oh my cat! Mom L continues to be amazed at all the advances in woofie products since she and Dad P had their Sibes. This is a great harness
It’s really helpful for rear issues.
That sure is terrific and so wonderful for sweet Katie. I wish we would have had a couple of those when we had senior dogs here.
It is really a big help on days when she is having trouble.
What a great apparatus! Looks comfy and can help Katie hang with you ladies when she’s not feeling her best. I’m digging this! Have a great weekend!
It really does help out Katie a lot on her walks on days where she is having trouble.
Tashi is having trouble with his back end too, just one leg so far but he fell down in the grass last night, collapsing at the hip. He wasn’t hurt, but we were both surprised. He’s had trouble on the stairs, but has been fine once hitting the sidewalk. He is 16.5, so this is a timely and helpful post, thanks!
16 1/2 is pretty amazing! Katie’s hips are in great shape, but she has arthritis and some neurological issues all causing her to collapse. This is really a great help for her.
Oh, good girl sweet Katie. I’m so glad this is helping her.
It does help her on her bad days. Now if she would only eat more.
What a great product, glad you got to try it out and can use it on her so she has help when she needs it.
It really is a big help for her.
Since Mica’s has been having so much trouble with her right shoulder or leg we decided vto enter your contest, thanks.
Good luck to you. This harness has really been a big help for Katie.
We have one similar to this for Sampson. It was such a blessing when he first did his partial tear. I’m glad Mom found something to help Katie.
It is helpful on her bad days.