5 Best Dog Treadmills, According to Pet Experts
That's right, dogs can hit the gym too.
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Some dogs need a lot of exercise, so much so that it can be hard to keep up. When games of fetch and walks in the park just aren’t cutting it, consider investing in a dog treadmill to help get your pup’s excess energy out.
Similar to human treadmills but downsized for dogs, a dog treadmill is an excellent way to keep your pup mentally and physically stimulated. Though a dog treadmill certainly isn’t a replacement for walks or runs outside, it’s a great alternative solution for days when the weather is bad or you can’t get outdoors as much as you'd like.
Our top picks:
The test engineers and analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Pets & Parenting Lab test everything you need to keep your dog happy, healthy and safe, from dog running leashes to dog strollers, indestructible dog toys, cozy dog beds and more. When choosing the best dog treadmills on the market, we relied on our years of experience covering pet products and reviewed each pick for specs such as size, running belt length, weight, portability and extra features like exercise program presets, side barriers and more.
Several of the latest dog treadmills even feature exercise programs as well as adjustable speed and incline so you can customize the experience to suit your dog’s needs, plus they're designed with side barriers to protect a dog from falling off. After checking out our top picks, keep reading to learn about some of the benefits associated with a dog treadmill. And when you're done, don't forget to check out our favorite gifts for dog lovers.
Pros
- Foldable and has built-in wheels
- Features preset exercise programs
- Includes side barriers and display
- High weight capacity
Cons
- Heavy to move around
Most dog owners shopping for a dog treadmill will be satisfied with this model, which comes with everything you need and accommodates up to 179 pounds. With a sizable 71" x 16.5" running area, medium-sized dogs should have plenty of room to run, and the red side barriers help keep your pet focused. A digital display makes it easy to not only adjust their speed by 0.1 increments up to 7.5 mph, but you can also choose among preset exercise programs.
Though it would be nice if you could automatically adjust the treadmill’s incline, our pros appreciate that this pick is foldable so you can store it when it’s not in use and the wheels in the back make it easy enough to move around (just keep in mind that it's heavy!). For smaller, lighter dogs, our pros also recommend the brand’s Minipacer.
| Size | 76.77" (L) x 27.16" (W) x 46.18" (H) |
| Weight capacity | Up to 179 lbs |
| Weight | 84.4 lbs |
| Speeds | 0.5 - 7.5 mph |
Pros
- Excellent price
- Includes display and remote
- 12 preset exercise programs
- Built-in wheels
Cons
- Smaller running belt
Is your dog bored to tears on rainy days? For under $300, you can purchase this dog treadmill to keep them active and entertained. It features speeds up to 7.5 mph that you can adjust with the included remote as well as 12 preset exercise programs and an LCD display. But similar to other dog treadmills, you'll have to manually adjust the incline.
Our pros like that wheels are built-in and the unit is under 50 pounds so it shouldn't be too difficult to move around. However, it's important to note that though the weight capacity goes up to 200 pounds, this treadmill is best suited for small- to medium-sized dogs as the 38" x 14" running belt is smaller than other some of our other picks.
| Size | 49" (L) x 21" (W) x 28''- 29.5'' (H) |
| Weight capacity | 200 lbs |
| Weight | 47 lbs |
| Speeds | 0.5 - 7.5 mph |
PawPaw's Dog Treadmill For Large Dogs
Pros
- Large weight capacity
- Dogs can run at their own pace
- Features non-motorized wood belt
Cons
- Not as portable
This treadmill from PawPaw's is practically a playground for dogs. Though it's one of the priciest on this list, our pros love that dogs can just jump up and start running since it doesn't feature an electric motor (still, always make sure to supervise your pup during use). That also means that dogs can exercise at the pace they're comfortable with. Our pros like that the running belt is made of real wood, which should feel more familiar to pups.
The treadmill can accommodate smaller dogs as well as larger ones that measure anywhere under 31.5 inches in height and 17.7 inches in chest width. Plus, it has one of the largest weight capacities at 220 pounds and, according to the brand, assembly should only take around 20 minutes as most parts arrived pre-assembled. Our experts do warn, however, that wheels aren't built-in so you shouldn't plan on frequently moving this treadmill around.
| Size | 74.8" (L) x 23.6" (W) x 59.1" (H) |
| Weight capacity | Up to 220 lbs |
| Weight | 117 lbs |
| Speeds | N/A |
LifePro Pawrunner
Pros
- Quiet motor, according to brand
- Side panels included
- Features digital display and remote
Cons
- Not suitable for larger dogs
Get your dog's heart rate up on this treadmill that goes up to 8 mph. According to the brand, the motor is ultra quiet so dogs won't be alarmed by unusual sounds or vibrations. An ideal size for medium-sized dogs under 29.5 inches in length and 35.4 inches in height, the treadmill offers 12 preset exercise programs on the digital display and you can adjust the incline for more of a challenge. Our pros love that a remote is included so you can operate the treadmill from a distance, and side panels help prevent your dog from falling off or getting distracted. It also comes with wheels for easy portability.
| Size | 48" (L) x 22.8" (W) x 41.75" (H) |
| Weight capacity | Up to 130 lbs |
| Weight | 47 lbs |
| Speeds | 0 - 8 mph |
Pros
- Side panels included
- Features digital display and remote
- Automatically turns off after 30 minutes
- Great value
Cons
- Not suitable for larger dogs
Corgis, Pomeranians, Yorkshire Terriers and other small dog breeds will love getting their energy out on this affordable dog treadmill on rainy days. The running belt is the perfect size for petite pups to feel comfortable, and according to the brand, it's constructed with several layers to provide shock absorption and slip resistance. Side panels come included for safety, and the machine automatically turns off after 30 minutes. Our pros like that the display, remote control and rolling wheels are all included for superior ease of use. Plus, you can adjust the incline manually to three heights.
| Size | 47.5" (L) x 21.5" (W) x 42" (H) |
| Weight capacity | 220 lbs |
| Weight | 50 lbs |
| Speeds | 0.5 - 7.5 mph |
How we choose the best dog treadmills
The Good Housekeeping Institute product analysts review pet products of all kinds, from the best dog car seats to dog toys.
While we haven't yet tested dog treadmills at the Pets & Parenting Lab or with our own pooches, our pros vetted the picks above after hours of researching the best dog treadmills and reading positive consumer reviews. We also reviewed each pick for specs like ease of setup and use, size, weight, weight capacity, running belt length and portability. We also took note of whether the machine has preset exercise programs, an adjustable incline, safety features like emergency buttons or side panels and whether it comes with a built-in remote and display.
What to look for when shopping for the best dog treadmill
✔️ Size: When it comes to dog treadmills, one size does not fit all. Though smaller dogs can use a larger treadmill, it's important that owners of large dog breeds find a treadmill with a running belt that can accommodate their stride. So before purchasing, double-check the running belt's size and make sure to follow all brand guidelines. Even though dog treadmills typically have a large weight capacity, that doesn't mean that the unit is suitable for your dog.
✔️ Storage and portability: Most dog treadmills feature wheels so you can move the treadmill around when not in use. If you're looking for one that you can store easily, consider purchasing a foldable dog treadmill, which will take up less storage space.
✔️ Safety: You should always supervise your pet while using a dog treadmill, but it's nice to have extra safety features like a safety key that stops the treadmill if they're too far back or an emergency stop button. Side panels are also recommended as these help prevent your dog from falling off to the side of the treadmill and injuring themselves.
✔️ Extra features: Many of the dog treadmills we include have digital displays, several exercise programs to choose from and even a remote so you can adjust speeds from a distance. While these features aren't must-haves, they may make the treadmill easier to use. Our pros also advise checking the maximum speed of the treadmill so your pup can exercise at a pace they're comfortable with, and if you want to make activity more challenging consider a treadmill with an adjustable incline.
What are the benefits of a dog treadmill?
While we never recommend using a dog treadmill to replace time spent outdoors with your pup, a dog treadmill can have a lot of fitness and health benefits for your pet.
Because some pets need more exercise than others, a dog treadmill is able to fill the gaps and keep them physically active on days when you're not able to go outside as much (like when it's storming outside or your area is experiencing extreme temperatures). Dog treadmills can also be a welcome addition if you're recovering from an injury or simply aren't able to take your dog out running like you used to.
Lastly, dog treadmills can help your pet maintain a healthy weight if you find that they're overeating or simply not getting enough exercise.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Writer and product analyst Olivia Lipski covers everything from consumer electronics to travel, home, pets, outdoor, fitness and more for the Good Housekeeping Institute. She continues to stay on top of the industry’s latest innovations and helps readers make better buying decisions by testing and reviewing the best products to hit the market, including pet cameras and Bluetooth trackers. Though her Shiba Inu hasn't yet tried out a dog treadmill, she scoured the internet and researched the best picks for dogs of all shapes and sizes.
Olivia (she/her) is a senior reviews writer and analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests and writes about tech, home, travel, fitness, parenting and health products. Since joining GH in 2021, she has continued to leverage her extensive product reviews experience by staying on top of the industry’s latest innovations and helping readers make better buying decisions. Olivia is a graduate of the George Washington University, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.
