Extremely hot or cold weather and busy work schedules can impact the amount of exercise your pup gets. In many places in the U.S., it’s often too hot during the day to take dogs out for anything longer than a short potty break during the summer months while in winter, snow and short daylight hours may reduce your dog’s typical exercise schedule.
The best dog treadmills can help you exercise your dog, regardless of the weather or the time of day. Dog treadmills are ideal for high-energy dogs who need extra exercise and busy pet parents who want to keep their pups fit and healthy but may not have the time for long walks or runs outside. Dog owners with physical limitations or injuries can also benefit from a dog treadmill, since they can exercise their dog with little impact on their own bodies.
We tested three of the best dog treadmills and did market research on other options available online. Here’s what to look for before buying your pup their own treadmill:
Traits We Want in the Best Dog Treadmills
Ease of setup and use: The best dog treadmills should be easy to set up and simple to use. Complicated setup when using a dog treadmill will often make you want to use it less, so we prioritized treadmills that could be turned on and adjusted with minimal effort.
Size: Size is the biggest factor you should consider when purchasing a dog treadmill. The running deck of a dog treadmill needs to be long enough for your dog to fully extend their front and rear feet while running or trotting and should be minimum of twice the length of your dog from the tip of their nose to the base of their tail.
Anything shorter doesn’t allow your dog to reach full extension while running or trotting and may make them feel nervous about slipping off the back of the treadmill.
Safety: Features like guide rails, an emergency stop function with a tethered clip that attaches to your dog, and a grippy, secure belt that absorbs impact from running are all paramount to keep your pup safe.
| Whole Dog Journal Rating | Product and Maker | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 | dogPACER LF 3.1 Treadmill | $499 | This mid-priced dog treadmill is big enough for dogs up to 179 pounds and long enough for most medium to large dogs to fully extend in a run. It’s a bit loud but is otherwise beloved by the dog sport and dog rehab communities. |
| dogPACER 4.0 | $799 | The dogPACER 4.0 is a tricked-out version of the original. It features a companion app to help you adjust settings, has incline features (and can be completely flat), and has an improved deck for less joint impact than the original. |
| Lifepro PawRunner Dog Treadmill | $400 | Though it’s marketed for dogs up to 130 pounds, the Lifepro PawRunner is really only suitable for small dogs under 30 pounds with short strides. However, it’s lightweight, easy to set up, and simple to use. |
Best Dog Treadmill: DogPACER LF 3.1 Treadmill
The dogPACER LF 3.1 is the go-to for most dog sport folks when purchasing a dog treadmill. The rehab vet I take my dogs to has one of these in-office and it’s a good option for at-home use, too.
The biggest draw of the LF 3.1 is its size and moderate price. Dog treadmills and slatmills are expensive and easily get into the one to two thousand dollar range for models that fit larger dogs. This option costs $499, which is still a good chunk of money to pay, but a very reasonable price for a large, safe dog treadmill from a trusted brand. I know many people who have had this model for 5+ years with no durability problems.
My colleague, dog trainer Brooklyn Pogue, uses the dogPACER for her Border Collie agility dogs and says she enjoys it for the convenience and ability to get out extra energy indoors. As for downsides, she says it takes up a lot of space and requires quite a bit of regular maintenance for upkeep.
The dogPACER LF 3.1 is suitable for dogs up to 179 pounds and I find that the 71-inch running deck is long enough for most medium and large dogs, though some giant breeds may have too big of a stride to properly run on it.
Best Smart Dog Treadmill: DogPACER 4.0
The dogPACER 4.0 is my personal choice for a dog treadmill, as I purchased this for my dogs some months ago. It’s a feature-rich version of the original dogPACER with added smart functions.
The main upgrade is a Bluetooth control panel that connects to a companion smartphone app. The app allows you to adjust the settings without having to bend down and use the control panel and lets you track your dogs’ time elapsed, distance, and calories in one place. You can also view logs of your pup’s previous workouts for tracking purposes and select from three advanced pre-set programs.
Other differences between the 4.0 version and the 3.1 version are the incline settings and the running deck itself. The 4.0 has an adjustable incline and can be set fully flat, while the 3.1 is always set at a slight incline. The fully flat setting is a great option for dogs who are working back up to full strength from being injured, older dogs, or dogs who are nervous about being on a treadmill, as it makes the exercise physically easier for the dog.
In addition, the 4.0 version’s K9 cloud running deck reduces impact on joints when running compared to the 3.1 version (and compared to running your dog on asphalt or concrete).
This dogPACER is also foldable for storage (though it’s fairly heavy to move around and fold). My one main qualm with this treadmill is that the running belt itself sometimes gets misaligned when folding and unfolding and it requires two people to lift the treadmill up and adjust the positioning of the belt.
It’s a bit louder than the smaller Lifepro treadmill, but not quite as loud as the original. I have a sound-sensitive dog and she didn’t seem to be bothered by the sound this dog treadmill made when it was on.
Best Dog Treadmill for Small Dogs: Lifepro PawRunner Dog Treadmill
The Lifepro PawRunner Dog Treadmill says it’s suitable for dogs up to 130 pounds on the store listing, but the actual running deck is quite small at 42 inches. Your dog should be able to fully extend their front and rear legs on a treadmill and if the running deck is too short, their legs will fall off the back of it as they walk or run (which is a safety hazard).
Though the description is a little misleading, this is still a great option for small dogs about 25 pounds or less. It’s sturdy, fairly lightweight, easy to put together, easy to move around, and features side safety guides and an overhead bar you can attach your dog to
It also comes with a variety of different pre-set exercise programs that have varying speeds to mix up your dog’s workout routines.
I loved that this treadmill is extremely quiet. Getting used to a dog treadmill can make some dogs nervous, and sound-sensitive pups are impacted by loud treadmills in addition to the movement.
The LifePro PawRunner goes on sale from time to time, with prices this year going as low as $266. If you can wait until it goes on sale, this is a fantastic budget-friendly option for small dog owners.
Other Dog Treadmills on the Market
Though we didn’t hands-on test the treadmills below, they’re top-selling options and may be worth a look depending on your dog’s needs:
Dog Trotter USA Classic Slatmill
You may be wondering what the difference is between a slatmill and a dog treadmill. Slatmills are completely dog-powered and non-motorized and are best suited for high-drive, high energy dogs. But there’s no limit on the speed a dog can reach on a slatmill, since they’re powering the slatmill themselves. Slatmills generally are more expensive and bulkier than dog treadmills but may be suited for dogs who love to pull and have a lot of motivation to run at high speeds.
The Dog Trotter USA Classic Slatmill is a popular slatmill choice. It comes in three different sizes, has an adjustable tethering system, and features dolly wheels for moving it around. Online reviewers say that this slatmill is well-made and surprisingly quiet.
Jog A Dog Treadmill
If you’re in need of a dog treadmill for an XL or giant breed dog, the extra-large size of the Jog A Dog Treadmill may be your best option. This size features an 84-inch running deck that’s suitable for Mastiffs, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, and other giant breeds. It also has a width of 24 inches, so giant breeds can walk, trot, and run with a natural gait without having to narrow their stride to fit on the treadmill.
This option is more expensive than other treadmills on this list, but it also comes with thoughtful dog-forward features like a four-position adjustable incline, sturdy side rails, a moveable gaiting bar to attach your dog to while training, and a speed dial for smooth pace adjustments.
Is there any reason to not use a treadmill made for humans?
That was my question.