2020’s Best Dog Treadmills for Small, Medium and Large Dogs

My thoughts on the dogPACER LF 3.1 Treadmill:

For me, personally, this is the best dog treadmill for medium to large-sized dogs on the market.

It ticks all the boxes for me – my dog loves it, it’s portable, it works as advertised, and it’s affordable! My lab, Mike, weighs 70 pounds, and this dogPACER can keep up with him with no problems.

When I first bought this machine, my dog was a bit hesitant in getting on it. So, I did the next logical thing – I climbed onboard the treadmill (I weigh 150 lbs) and walked at the slowest pace (1 mph).

Then I got off and carried Mike over to the machine. I let him stay put, gave a couple treats to calm him down, then turned on the treadmill.

I held on to him for about 2 to 3 minutes, just to reassure him everything’s going to be okay. Then I slowly let go and Mike started walking on his own.

What I really like about this machine, in addition to the fancy features like adjustable speed and incline, is the fact that it’s whisper-quiet.

It’s not as loud as the treadmills in my gym, but it’s a much lower hum that aren’t going to scare dogs away. I mean, it’s what we expect as pet owners, right?

Now, obviously, some dogs are going to be skittish no matter how low the hum is, but just like I did with Mike, you can ease them slowly into using the machine. Be patient and take them by the hand, so to speak.

Additionally, I like the fact that there are side panels. But unlike the other treadmills in this article, this one is flimsy and won’t actually keep your dog from falling off the sides. They’re great for helping your dog focus on the task at hand – walking.

However, if you’ve got a big dog, then you may want to think about replacing the side panel. Or maybe even reinforcing it with something taller, so they can’t peek over the side and get distracted.

The height is just right for my lab, but your dog may be different and will need some more customizing to get acclimated faster. 

Summary of the Pros and Cons:

My thoughts on the Dog Runner Large treadmill:

I have to say this thing is great. It’s an absolute machine. If you’ve got a big, active dog, then this may be the right treadmill for your needs.

With a maximum load of 242 pounds, you can let your Saint Bernard, Mastiff, Wolfhound, Newfoundland, Great Dane, Leonberger, and other similarly large breeds, exercise without worrying the treadmill is going to break down!

The quality on this machine is great. It’s not lightweight by any means, so you’d most likely need to pay extra for shipping (right now it says shipping costs $300 – ouch!). But then again, price shouldn’t be an issue for most large dog breed owners.

I mean, you already know big dogs require a lot more maintenance than small dogs. If you want good health for your pet, then this a worthwhile investment.

This machine is great for giving your pets a healthy lifestyle. It’s got a powerful 2.0 HP motor and the side panels aren’t flimsy like the ones on the dogPACER LF 3.1. This means you need not be afraid your dog is going to fall off the side and injure himself in the process.

However, this machine is far from perfect. I like the build quality and all that, but I think some of you will expect this treadmill to have an incline setting just like the cheaper dogPACER LF 3.1. Unfortunately, there’s no adjustable incline for this model.

If you want a treadmill from Dog Runner that has an incline adjustment, you’d need to go for the more expensive options like the Dog Runner XL (all editions) or the Dog Runner Pro.

Lastly, the running surface is a bit of a disappointment, too. It’s only 4.5 feet whereas the much cheaper dogPACER LF 3.1 has a 6-foot running surface. Don’t get me wrong, 4.5 feet is enough for dogs to run in, but generally, the more space there is, the better the experience usually is.

Summary of the Pros and Cons:

My thoughts on the GoPet PetRun PR725 Large Breed Treadmill:

This treadmill came pretty close to overtaking the Dog Runner Large treadmill as the best treadmill for large dog breeds.

I found the running area (6 feet) to be much better than Dog Runner Large’s 4.5 feet. And the metal gate at the sides are pretty useful, too.

In fact, it’s the most secure side railing out of all the treadmills I’ve reviewed in this article. No one’s going to mistake it for being flimsy.

So, if you’ve got an elderly dog who may be getting on in years and you’re worried about him falling off while exercising, then this may be the right choice for you.

Now, if you’ve got active dogs who like to run at top speeds, then this GoPet PR725 treadmill is going to be ideal for your dogs. Why?

Because this one can go up to 10 miles an hour! That’s fast for a dog – and this is one of the fastest ones in the market today.

Other treadmills for large dogs have a max speed of 7.5 MPH, but this one really takes the cake. So, keep this in mind if you’ve got high-energy dogs who absolutely love to run!

On the other side of the coin, however, some pet owners may not like the fact that the lowest speed setting on this machine is 1.0 MPH. FYI, other treadmills can go as slow as 0.5 MPH.

So, if you’ve got a dog with bad knees or is recovering from an illness or can’t run for some reason, then it’s best for you to look elsewhere.

To be honest, if you’ve got a dog in this situation, a dog-powered treadmill (such as a treadwheel) may be a better fit for your pet.

Summary of the Pros and Cons:

My thoughts on the GoPet Treadwheel for Large Dog Breeds

This looks like a giant dog hamster wheel, doesn’t it? It reminds me of my pet hamster from when I was a kid. Whenever I came home from school, I found it relaxing to watch my hamster run on its wheel.

So, if you want an oversized hamster (a.k.a. your dog) running on a similar wheel, then consider buying this GoPet Treadwheel.

Now, this thing is going to be massive. So, if you don’t have the space in your home, then a more traditional dog treadmill may be better suited for you.

I like the fact that this dog exercise equipment is powered by – surprise! - the dog itself. This means they can walk as slow as they like or run like their life depends on it!

So, if you’re conscious about your carbon footprint or you want to save up on your electric bill a bit, then this treadwheel will be right up your alley!

Also, this is supposed to be easier on your pet’s joints, a.k.a. it’s a low-impact exercise machine. GoPet uses a thick matted surface which absorbs the impact and reduces the tear and wear on your dog’s joints.

So, essentially, you’ll be hitting 2 birds with one stone – you’ll be saving on electricity and future vet bills!

And because it’s a ‘green’ machine, it’s not noisy. At all. Even if you live in an apartment building with thin walls, your neighbors aren’t going to complain about you to the landlord. 

Lastly, I like the fact that there’s a training door which keeps the dog inside. This is very useful when the dog’s just getting used to the machine. It keeps them safe and secure inside.

Later on, when they’ve outgrown the training door, you can remove it so your dog can get on and off whenever they like!

Summary of the Pros and Cons:

My thoughts on the GoPet PR730 Giant Breed Treadmill:

There’s not too many people who have dogs that are more than 200 pounds. But if you’re one of the lucky ones, then this may be the perfect giant dog exercise equipment.

This treadmill is solidly built. It’s made by a company with a good track record in dog treadmills. And the price is more than justified by the quality and workmanship that went into this product.

A giant dog’s needs are different from a small breed. Yes, they’re usually gentle giants, but they still need the exercise. If you as a pet parent can’t afford to take them out for a run every single day, then it’s time to make the purchase.

As you probably know, giant dogs have shorter life spans than their smaller counterparts. If you want to maximize your time with them, you need to make sure they’re as healthy as they can possibly be. And one of the ways to do that is by making sure they get plenty of exercise.

Now, there’s not too many treadmills out there that can accommodate giant dogs. But I can guarantee this is one of the best treadmills for giant or extra-large dogs.

With a running area of 8.1 feet by 2 feet, your gentle giant won’t feel constricted walking on this thing.

As you can see on the image, the metal side railings are going to prevent your fur baby from accidentally falling over on the side.

This thing can go as fast as 10 MPH, so if you’ve got a dog that loves to run in wide open spaces, they may love the speed on this thing. Of course, as with all the other treadmills in this article, this also has an emergency stop button.

Summary of the Pros and Cons:

My thoughts on the dogPACER Minipacer Treadmill:

This treadmill may have been out in the market for a few years now. But as far as the FurBabyGuide team is concerned, it’s still the best treadmill for small and medium dogs.

This dogPACER is sold at an affordable price. It’s got a solid warranty from the manufacturer (for 110V markets only though). And it’s great at keeping pets fit and healthy!

It’s also portable at only 61 pounds. This isn’t a bulky machine like its bigger sibling, the dogPACER LF 3.1, which is meant to be used by big dogs.

You can place this anywhere in your house, and a healthy human adult should be able to lift up this 61-pound pet-walking machine easily.

The good thing is since this is quite a small treadmill, you can let your cat run on this as well (if you’ve got a brave enough one, that is).

Also, if you’ve got two small dogs, they can run together too since the running area is a spacious 38” by 16”.

It helps that there’s a side panel, but it’s not made of the strongest material. If you’re looking for a metal gate or railing to prevent side falls, then this isn’t the right treadmill for your pets.

The good thing is that you can set the speed to the slowest setting (0.5 MPH) – this should help prevent accidents.

For dogs with boundless energy, the highest speed setting of 7.5 MPH should suffice their running needs. If you were running alongside your dog at this pace, you’d find yourself out of breath in a few minutes.

Fortunately, this motorized treadmill isn’t going to get tired – as long as it’s connected to a power source!

Summary of the Pros and Cons:

My thoughts on the DogTread PZ1701 Small Dog Treadmill:

I’m not going to mince words here – this is a fantastic treadmill. From the materials used to making this thing, the technology, and the detail that went into designing this treadmill, DogTread (a.k.a. PetZen Products) did a terrific job.

But, and this a BIG but, I find the short 90-day warranty to be a bit concerning. Other pet treadmill manufacturers are giving one-year or two-year warranties, but DogTread is... well, taking a different route.

Their Amazon listing states one-year warranty (click the button below to see the listing). But if you check their warranty policy on their website, you’ll see they only offer 90 days for the small treadmill (model PZ1701 which is this exact model).

In fact, they even state they no longer service this particular model. The good news is they will replace a defective one as long as you contact them within 90 days.

That said, this might be a big turn-off for some pet owners. However, if you’re willing to look beyond that, then you’ll find this to be a great treadmill for small dogs.

I especially like how small and portable it is (thanks to the wheels up front), and how you can easily store this in your closet.

The lowest speed setting is only 0.3 MPH so this is great news for pet owners with elderly dogs that can only walk really slowly.

Just like other similar treadmills, it’s also got pre-programmed exercises in it. But unlike others, this treadmill gives you the option to create your own program. 

There's also a safety start and stop button like the other treadmills here in this article. The remote control though is a great addition too that I think most pet owners will appreciate.  

Lastly, I like the fact that there’s a recessed treat holder in the front. It will help motivate your dog to start walking... and walking… and walking.. trying to get the treat. Before you know it, they’ll be hopping on to the treadmill trying to grab more treats this way.

Summary of the Pros and Cons:

My thoughts on the GoPet PetRun PR700 Toy Breed Treadmill:

Out of all the treadmills I’ve reviewed in this article, this one actually has the lowest platform. This means it’s easier for your pet to climb aboard – for toy breeds, this is a godsend! But even for bigger-sized dogs, the low platform is also a nice feature.

The metal railing on the side can’t exactly stop them from falling over (it’s set too low, I think). But since the platform is just a couple of inches off the ground, falling off shouldn’t be a painful experience.

The running area is a good width at 16 inches, but I think it could have been a few inches longer. I mean the DogTread PZ1701 is good for pups up to 30 lbs, but the running area is 29 inches long.

This GoPet PR700, on the other hand, is good for dogs up to 44 lbs, but the running area is only 28 inches. So, yeah, I think GoPet should have added extra inches to the running area.

Also, I like how the max speed is 8 MPH. This is perfect for dogs who really love to run. However, if you’ve got an elderly dog or one that’s recovering from an illness, then you might find the 1 MPH lowest speed setting to be a bit too fast.

Of course, it will depend on your dog’s ability and health. But for the most part, I think 0.5 MPH should be the minimum for treadmills targeted at small to medium dogs (shorter legs, you know).

While an LCD display isn’t absolutely necessary, it’s a pretty useful addition. Other cheaper treadmills have it, so I don’t see why GoPet didn’t add one to this particular model.

Summary of the Pros and Cons:

My thoughts on the GoPet Treadwheel for Small Dogs / Toy Breeds:

To be honest, my opinion on this treadwheel is going to be pretty much the same as its larger sibling, the GoPet Treadwheel for Large Dog Breeds.  

It’s a much smaller version, obviously, at only 42 pounds (as opposed to 200 pounds for the large model). So, this is great if you’ve only got limited space in your home.

Also, as I’ve stated in my earlier review of the large model, I’m a fan of green technology. And this dog-powered machine is certainly ‘green.’

There’s no need to set it down next to a power supply. In fact, you can bring this outside your home and let your dogs run outside!

Once your dog gets the hang of using this machine, they can simply hop on anytime they feel like exercising. You don’t even need to be in the house.

So, if you’ve got hyperactive dogs and you stress out whenever you need to leave them indoors, then this treadwheel just may be the answer to your prayers.

Of course, you’d need to get them trained up first and used to being on the treadwheel. That may take you anywhere from a few days to a few weeks before they finally get the hang of it. But for the most part, most pets get acclimated to this machine pretty quickly. 

Also, this machine isn’t limited to dogs. If you’ve got cats (the non-lazy kind, haha), then they’ll absolutely love getting on this machine, too!

Just be careful though, while it’s perfectly fine for your cats to get on this treadwheel, there’s a real danger of them getting stuck on the side gate. So, better keep an eye on your felines. After all, this product is made with dogs in mind, not cats.

Summary of the Pros and Cons:

My thoughts on the Shelandy Pet Treadmill:

On paper, this treadmill looks good. It’s got an LCD display, a bar to tie your dog’s leash to, variable speed control, and a good enough running area at 40 inches long. I also like that you can adjust the incline level.

The auto-power off function after 30 minutes of use can either be a pro or a con. It’s a pro if, for any reason, you forget the treadmill’s still running and your dog has long since stepped off the belt. (Again, always keep a close eye on your dog’s treadmill sessions).

However, I’d say this feature is a con if you’ve got multiple dogs and you need to keep walking over to the treadmill to turn it back on every half-hour!

Also, I think the hole-y side panels may lead to some accidents. For instance, your dog’s claws can get stuck on there if they try to claw their way off the treadmill. This scenario may feel a bit like it’s a scene from the movie Final Destination, but you never know with pets, right?

They can get into all sorts of messes and if you’re not paying attention, they can somehow get stuck on that side panel. Personally, I would prefer a more solidly-constructed side panel.

Summary of the Pros and Cons: