How to Measure Your Dog for a Knee Brace, Custom Cast or Wheelchair at Home

A dog brace is only as good as its fit. Too loose and it slides down the leg and offers little support. Too tight and it rubs, chafes, or gets pulled off. Because most mobility gear is ordered online, the measuring is done at home, often by an owner who has never handled a tape measure around a nervous dog's knee before.

This guide covers the three kinds of measuring Animal Ortho Care (AOC) asks for: tape measurements for its ready-to-fit knee support, a full cast for its custom braces and prosthetics, and body measurements for its Haute Wheels wheelchair. It is not a substitute for a vet's diagnosis, so confirm with your vet which product suits your dog's condition before you measure.

Before you start

• Have a second person to hold and reassure your dog.
• Use a soft, flexible tape measure, not a metal one.
• Have treats ready and keep sessions short.
• Measure the affected leg, and note left or right. AOC's braces are ordered by side.
• Write everything down immediately, in inches.

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Option 1: Tape measurements for the ready-to-fit EMbrace Knee Support

AOC's EMbrace Knee Support is an off-the-shelf compression wrap sold in small, medium and large, left or right, for $125 to $245. One important note first: AOC states clearly that this support is not intended for CCL/ACL ligament tears. It is aimed at dogs with limited mobility after other knee injuries. For a torn cruciate ligament, AOC points owners toward its custom knee brace instead.

AOC's measuring steps for the knee support are:

1. Find the knee center. Bend your dog's knee. You will feel two bumps at the front of the knee, one at the top and one at the bottom. The midpoint between them is the knee center.
2. Thigh circumference. Measure around the leg midway between the knee center and the bend of the groin.
3. Tibia circumference. Measure around the leg midway between the knee center and the bend of the hock (ankle).
4. Length. Measure from the mid-thigh point to the mid-tibia point.

Compare the numbers against AOC's sizing chart. If your dog falls between sizes, contact AOC before ordering rather than guessing; ready-made products can be returned within 15 days only if they are in like-new condition, and a restocking fee applies.

Option 2: Casting for a custom brace or prosthetic

Custom braces are built from a mold of your dog's actual leg, not from a size chart. That is why they fit dogs with unusual proportions and why AOC can use them for ligament injuries. The custom range includes the Custom Dog Knee Brace ($895), the Custom Dog Knee & Hock Brace ($1,095 to $1,145), the bilateral knee brace pair ($1,690), elbow, wrist and hock braces ($995 to $1,045), and a partial-limb prosthetic ($1,199).

AOC's process for the custom knee brace works like this:

1. Purchase. You order the brace and fill in your dog's details.
2. Measure. AOC emails a form asking for measurements of your dog's leg.
3. Cast. AOC sends a casting kit so you can make a mold of the leg at home. Kits are matched to your dog's weight: under 30 lbs, 30 to 60 lbs, 60 to 120 lbs, and over 120 lbs, with separate kits for bilateral (both knees) orders.
4. Build. You send back both the measurements and the mold. AOC needs both to build the brace.
5. Fit. AOC ships the finished brace for you to fit.

AOC publishes how-to-cast guidance and casting tips on its site, and you can speak with a licensed vet through AOC if you are unsure. If your casting goes wrong, replacement materials are sold separately, including 1, 2 and 3 inch casting tape, a cutting tool and stockinette, priced from $2 to $10.

Timing matters

Once AOC receives the cast and measurements, standard fabrication for a custom knee brace takes about 12 to 15 weeks, and AOC notes lead times can vary with demand. If your vet wants the brace sooner, AOC sells Expedited Fabrication for $150 per brace, which guarantees fabrication in 3 business days; the day after AOC receives your cast counts as day 1. The partial-limb prosthetic has a much shorter standard build of 3 to 5 business days after the cast arrives.

Prosthetic limb requirements

For a front-leg partial prosthetic, AOC requires the amputation to be at least 4 inches below the elbow. For a rear leg, it must be at least 2 inches below the hock. If the amputation is above those points, AOC suggests a full-limb prosthetic for the front leg or a wheelchair for the rear.

Option 3: Body measurements for the Haute Wheels wheelchair

Wheelchairs are sized from the body, not the leg. AOC's measuring guide asks for:

• Height: from the base of the front foot to mid-shoulder, with your dog standing or sitting.
• Length: from the middle of the hip to the middle of the shoulder, along the side.
• Width: between the shoulders or across the widest part of the body.

The Haute Wheels chair comes in sizes from XXS to large and the frame is adjustable, so measurements get you into the right size band and the adjustments handle the rest.

Common measuring mistakes

• Measuring with the leg fully extended instead of in a natural standing position
• Pulling the tape tight enough to compress fur and skin
• Measuring the healthy leg instead of the injured one
• Rushing a cast while the dog is moving, which creates a distorted mold

Conclusion

Match the measuring method to the product: tape measurements for ready-to-fit supports, a full cast for custom braces and prosthetics, and body measurements for wheelchairs. Take your time, measure twice, and ask AOC or your vet before ordering if anything is unclear. AOC's custom products are non-returnable, but the company guarantees their fit and will repair or replace a custom product that does not fit. At the time of writing, code DVMQNV20 takes $20 off storewide.

If you're ready to buy, Animal Ortho Care is worth checking — they currently have $20 off with code DVMQNV20 live right now.