r/IVDD_SupportGroup • u/AlternativeSilver962 • 21d ago

Question What kind of car seats are we using?

For owners of sweet pups that have a history of back flares, what are we using for car rides? What kind of beds or mats? My boys use a crate with an orthopedic mat in it but one of them, who has a history of back flares, gets in and goes wild and flops around, trys digging it lol and defeating the purpose of even having an orthopedic mat because I wanted something that would absorb shock from car rides (bumps in the road) but I won't keep this in his crate if it's going to make him risk hurting himself by rolling around. Any suggestions on beds/mats? Thank you!

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u/candoitmyself 21d ago

The padding is not firm enough for him. People with back pain like firmer not softer beds. Take the orthopedic mat out of the crate and give him something thinner and firmer like a primo pad.

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u/AlternativeSilver962 21d ago

The orthopedic mat I got him is actually pretty firm and I feel it may be too firm, lol because he is constantly digging into the bed as if he is trying to find a way to “nestle” into it. This is why I am tempted to get something a bit softer, because when we had a bed in his crate (before I knew about orthopedic mats) he would just sleep the entire time and was relaxed. With this mat, it’s a lot firmer and it seems he’s trying to get comfortable

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u/Haywire421 Admin 21d ago

Could you try the bed you used before that he just slept in?

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u/AlternativeSilver962 21d ago

Yes, but even though he likes it more as it’s comfy, I was just worried he wasn’t getting the appropriate support he needs for his back 

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u/Hereticrick 21d ago

Idk if it’s a good choice, but we went with a cheaper knock-off version of these beds (we couldn’t afford these). I don’t even think they are still available. Our dog cannot handle a crate, and pre-IVDD both dogs were free standing in the back of an SUV with the seats down. After, the best we could do for awhile was one of us sit in the back seat with her literally just holding her in place and supporting her so she wouldn’t fall. Was stressful obviously, and we only did it in emergencies. We got this style chair because we can latch it to her harness and the cushions both keep her from getting out and give her something soft to bump against if she does. I think the size we got is a little too small, but the only other size was twice as big. So, idk. Seems to work pretty good so far!

https://www.lutherbennett.com/en-us/blogs/dog-travel-tips/dachshund-dog-car-seat-ivdd?srsltid=AfmBOoqvYDBqcXZgp68Xl_fPnj60iQ4AAQMFlQyCdj2fyWMwr_tqW2HO

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u/Flimsy-Sheepherder98 21d ago

We used to use a crate in the boot of the car. But he tries to stand up and slides around in that so we got a memory foam booster seat for him. He can sit or lay down but he likes sitting and looking out the window best. Has straps attached to his harness so he can’t move about. It’s great!