Resources
​​CROC was founded in 2014 and over the years, we've tried out a lot of different products and gotten to know our local Veterinary Specialists. If you aren't sure which of our top picks would work best for your dog, please let us know and we'll be happy to help you! All items and businesses recommended on this page are included without influence or paid promotion. We would use these for our own pets!
The Help 'Em Up Harness
If your dog needs some extra support, this is the best harness out there! The Help 'Em Up comfortably and safely disperses your dog's weight under their chest and pelvis while also providing you with handles to make assisting your dog that much easier. The back half comes in both a male and female fit plus it can be disconnected if your dog no longer needs it in the future. They tend to run a bit large and can be a little tricky to get perfectly fitted to your dog, but we can absolutely help you with that!
Warning! There are many dupes for this harness online! We have tried many of them and have yet to come across one that is as well designed as the Help 'Em Up. Almost all of them have serious safety risks such as potentially dislocating a hip. For this reason, we strongly advise against the purchase of these knock offs.
If you'd like help choosing the right harness for your dog and making sure it is perfectly adjusted to their body shape, call us to book a Help 'Em Up Harness Fitting. We'll take care of everything for you!
Conventional Harnesses
We like these harnesses because they are adjustable to your dog's body, easy to put on/take off, and avoid putting too much pressure on the neck or shoulders. Regardless of which harness you choose, a proper fit is super important! A good harness should fit snugly without cutting into the skin or causing any chafing. The padding along the bottom of the harness should disperse pressure across the ribs but not into your dog's belly. Extra padding on the top of the harness (over your dog's back) serves little to no purpose but may add extra weight for your dog to carry or inhibit movement, so they should be avoided. No-pull harnesses should also be avoided since they won't offer much support and will apply pressure in areas that need full range of motion for your dog to move comfortably.
Miscellaneous Gear
These are examples of products that we like, but you do not need to purchase these exact products. Check with the CROC Team if you're not sure which items are best for your pet.
Supplements
Before beginning any new supplement, consult with your veterinarian to make sure it is right for your dog. Supplements are not regulated and claims made are not required to be verified. Look for larger companies with a good track record, especially if they have studies available for review.
Big Barker Dog Beds
We like these beds so much that we upgraded all CROC beds to Big Barker beds! All dogs deserve a well-padded, comfortable bed but it can be particularly difficult to find a quality bed for large and giant breeds. Due to their size and weight, they need a thicker orthopedic foam bed to insulate their joints from the floor underneath the bed and a wider and longer bed so they can properly stretch out and relax. If you're looking for something more budget friendly, look for a memory foam dog bed that is at least 1.5 times the length of your dog and has at least 1-2 inches of thickness for every 40 pounds of their body weight.
Eddie's Wheels Carts
We exclusively work with and recommend Eddie's Wheels because they are simply the best!
Eddie's Wheels carts are custom built for your pet. Other wheelchairs that might be cheaper or ship quicker are often only made in a handful of sizes/shapes. Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, meaning that their medical devices should too. If your dog uses a cart that is not correctly sized or shaped for them, they are likely to experience compensatory pain and potentially injury from doing so. Due to concern with the quality and safety with these other brands, we do not work on any other carts. We do offer life time support for any Eddie's Wheels carts that we performed measurements for.
​Is a cart a good idea for your dog? Visit our Medical Library Articles to learn more.
Veterinary Specialists in OC
Veterinary Neurology Center
Coastal Prosthetics & Orthotics
Veterinary Surgical Specialists
Precision Veterinary Surgery
Fresh Ingredient Diet Help
Your dog requires a very specific combination of nutrients to support their health and healing. We understand that fresh ingredient diets are becoming more popular and invite you to check out the following websites to ensure your dog's diet meets all nutritional requirements. Please note that Raw Diets are not recommended.