Compare the Best Dog Knee Braces

Written by Judie Sigdel
Updated: December 3, 2022
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Dog knee braces can be an invaluable tool for sprains, arthritis, ACL tears, a luxating patella, and other injuries. Some dogs can also benefit from wearing a brace to keep their knee stabilized to prevent a future injury. There are a variety of knee braces on the market for large and small dogs. Braces come in a range of sizes and colors and often include different features, such as being waterproof or customizable for a snug fit.

If you’re here with the question, “What are the best dog knee braces?” we’re here to help. Continue reading to learn why we selected our top picks.

  1. Ortocanis™ Original Knee Immobilizer for Dogs
    • Features a lateral aluminum splint
    • Works to stabilize the knee and reduce movement
    • Offers an ergonomic design
    • Constructed from neoprene to help keep dogs comfortable
    • Available in nine different sizes (mini to XXL) for both left and right legs
    Check Amazon
  2. Labra Left Leg Dog Knee Brace
    • Designed for use with medium and large-breed dogs
    • Hooks to a dog’s chest harness to keep the strap from slipping
    • Ensures the knee stays stabilized
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  3. Labra Extra Supportive Dog Hock Brace
    • Works to compress and stabilize the area to make it less painful and easier for your dog to move
    • Made from a quality neoprene material
    • Flexible to ensure your dog still can move freely
    • Ensures that their hock joint gets the support it needs
    • Customize the fit of the brace using the hook and eye straps based on the width of your dog’s leg
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  4. Agon Rear Leg Dog Brace
    • Works to stabilize the hock joint
    • Stabilizing the ankle may also help take some pressure off a dog’s knee for increased comfort
    • Hook and eye straps will help you get a snug and secure fit


    Check Chewy Check Amazon

The Top Picks for the Best Dog Knee Brace: Ranked

#1 Best Overall: Kruuse Rehab Knee Protector for Dogs

The Kruuse Rehab Dog Knee Brace is our #1 Best Overall pick. This knee brace is available in eight different sizes ranging from XXX-small to XX-large to accommodate dogs of various breeds and body types. You can choose a right- or left-sided brace depending on which knee needs support. The manufacturer recommends consulting with the size guide to ensure a proper fit for your pup.

The brace is designed for use for rehabilitation. It supports the knee to help strengthen the dog’s muscles and allow them to heal. It’s only available in black so it won’t draw too much unnecessary attention to your pup as it recovers.

Some buyers indicated that this brace didn’t stay in place; it moved whenever the dog changed position.

Pros and Cons of the Kruuse Rehab Knee Protector for Dogs

ProsCons
This knee brace is available in eight sizes ranging from XXX-small to XX-large.The brace may not stay in place.
You can choose a brace for the left or right side.It’s only available in black.
It’s only available in black, so it won’t draw undue attention to your dog’s injury.

2. Best for a Torn ACL: Ortocanis Original Knee Immobilizer for Dogs

The Ortocanis Original Knee Immobilizer is a top choice for a dog knee brace for ACL injuries, other ligament ruptures, and patellar luxation. The brace is designed to help a dog strengthen their muscles and improve their overall balance.

It features a lateral aluminum splint. This splint works to stabilize the knee and reduce movement, leading to less pain and better healing.

The brace offers an ergonomic design and is constructed from neoprene to help keep dogs comfortable. It is available in nine different sizes (mini to XXL) for both left and right legs.

A number of reviewers indicated that they had difficulty determining which size their dog needed based on the manufacturer’s sizing chart. As a result, the brace that they received didn’t fit their dog well. Also, we noticed that there doesn’t seem to be a way to choose between the two colors that are depicted on their Amazon ad: blue and black.

Pros and Cons of the Ortocanis Original Knee Immobilizer for Dogs

ProsCons
This knee immobilizer is designed to help dogs with ACL injuries and similar conditions strengthen their muscles and improve their overall balance.The manufacturer’s size chart may be difficult to follow, causing purchasers to receive a brace that’s the wrong size.
It features a lateral aluminum splint that stabilizes the knee and reduces movement to reduce pain and promote healing.It’s depicted in two colors on their Amazon ad, blue and black, but there doesn’t appear to be any way for a customer to choose between them.
This brace is ergonomically designed and constructed from neoprene for comfort.
It’s available in nine sizes (mini to XXL) for both left and right legs.
Best For A Torn ACL
Ortocanis™ Original Knee Immobilizer for Dogs
  • Features a lateral aluminum splint
  • Works to stabilize the knee and reduce movement
  • Offers an ergonomic design
  • Constructed from neoprene to help keep dogs comfortable
  • Available in nine different sizes (mini to XXL) for both left and right legs
Check Amazon

3. Most Durable: Labra Dog Knee Brace Wrap

The Labra Dog Knee Brace for Luxating Patella, ACL tears, sprains, and other injuries is our top pick for the most durable model. This brace is designed for use with medium- and large-breed dogs. It is designed to hook to a dog’s chest harness to keep the strap from slipping and ensure the knee stays stabilized.

You may choose to use this as an alternative to surgery to keep your dog comfortable and help their injury heal. It can also be a good choice to help your dog rehabilitate when surgery is necessary.

Labra chose a neutral gray color for this patent-pending brace.

Pet parents’ primary complaint was that the brace didn’t stay in place.

Pros and Cons Labra Dog Knee Brace Wrap

ProsCons
This brace is designed for medium- and large-breed dogs.The brace may not stay in place.
It hooks to a dog’s chest harness to keep the strap from slipping and keep the knee stabilized.It’s only available in one color: gray.
It comes in neutral gray.
Most Durable
Labra Left Leg Dog Knee Brace
  • Designed for use with medium and large-breed dogs
  • Hooks to a dog’s chest harness to keep the strap from slipping
  • Ensures the knee stays stabilized
Check Chewy Check Amazon

4. Best for Customization: Labra Supportive Dog Hock Brace

While the Labra Supportive Dog Hock Brace is technically a hock brace and not a knee brace, it is another supportive option to consider. The brace is perfect for dogs with arthritis in their rear hock joint (like our ankle joints) and works to compress and stabilize the area to make it less painful and easier for your dog to move.

The brace is made from a quality neoprene material that is flexible to ensure your dog still can move freely, while also ensuring that their hock joint gets the support it needs. You can customize the fit of the brace using the hook and eye straps based on the width of your dog’s leg.

The main customer complaint is that this hock brace won’t stay in place.

Pros and Cons of the Labra Supportive Dog Hock Brace

ProsCons
This brace is designed to support, compress, and stabilize a dog’s rear hock joint.Some reviewers reported that this brace doesn’t stay in place.
It’s made from flexible neoprene that allows your dog to move freely while providing the support that their hock joint needs.
You can customize the fit of this hock brace by adjusting the hook and eye straps.
Best for Customization
Labra Extra Supportive Dog Hock Brace
  • Works to compress and stabilize the area to make it less painful and easier for your dog to move
  • Made from a quality neoprene material
  • Flexible to ensure your dog still can move freely
  • Ensures that their hock joint gets the support it needs
  • Customize the fit of the brace using the hook and eye straps based on the width of your dog’s leg
Check Chewy Check Amazon

5. Best Value: AGON Dog Rear Hock Joint Brace

The AGON Dog Rear Hock Joint Brace is reasonably priced and can help your dog regain mobility and allow their leg injuries to heal. You can choose from five different sizes (x-small through x-large) based on the circumference of your dog’s leg.

The brace works to stabilize the hock joint (like our ankle) to help it heal and make it more comfortable for the dog to walk. While this isn’t technically a knee brace, stabilizing the ankle may also help take some pressure off a dog’s knee for increased comfort.

The hook and eye straps will help you get a snug and secure fit to give your dog’s injury the stabilization it needs to heal.

Some buyers reported that this brace slips.

Pros and Cons of the AGON Dog Rear Hock Joint Brace

ProsCons
This hock joint brace is reasonably priced.This brace may slip.
It’s available in five sizes: x-small through x-large.
This brace is designed to stabilize the hock joint so it can heal and to make walking more comfortable.
In theory, stabilizing the ankle may relieve some pressure from a dog’s knee, thus increasing their comfort as they heal.
The hook and eye straps will allow you to customize the fit so it’s snug, secure, and stable.
Best Value
Agon Rear Leg Dog Brace
  • Works to stabilize the hock joint
  • Stabilizing the ankle may also help take some pressure off a dog’s knee for increased comfort
  • Hook and eye straps will help you get a snug and secure fit


Check Chewy Check Amazon

How to Choose the Right Knee Brace for Your Dog

Before you begin shopping for a knee brace for your dog, it is important to decide exactly what you’re looking for. Use the features described below to help you make sure you select a knee brace that will meet your needs and expectations and, ultimately, help your dog heal and feel better.

Nature of the Injury

First, consider the type of injury your dog has. For example, some dog braces are better suited for arthritis, while others may be better for rehabilitation. Your dog’s veterinarian is the best resource to help you determine which knee brace style is best for your dog’s needs.

Fit

Dog knee braces for luxating patella and other injuries should have a snug fit. This will enable the brace to do its job and stabilize your dog’s knee. Be sure to consult with the sizing guide provided by the manufacturer to select the appropriate size for your pup.

Additionally, pay attention to which leg is injured, as many braces are specifically designed to be used on either the right or left legs or front or hind legs. In some cases, you may find that a custom-made brace will offer the best fit for your pup.

Support

Finding a brace that offers adequate support is essential. The most supportive braces will feature straps that will allow for customizable support and fit. Again, custom-made braces may

Materials and Durability

Pay attention to the materials used to make each brace. Not only do you want to make sure that the materials will feel nice against your dog’s skin, but you want them to be durable and hold up well over time.

Braces made of neoprene may be a good option to consider. Neoprene, which is the same fabric used to make wetsuits, is very durable and can help keep your dog’s knee stabilized. Neoprene is also waterproof. Choosing a waterproof brace can help prevent it from getting ruined if your dog goes out in the rain. Additionally, the fabric is also soft enough to keep your dog comfortable while they wear their brace.

Our Criteria

As dog parents, we researched and read reviews on all of the products below. We like to get an idea of how products perform before recommending them to our readers. Here are some additional notes about the pros and cons for each dog brace we selected:

  • Kruuse Rehab Knee Protector for Dogs: We liked that this brace can some older pups regain their independence. We also found that the sizing guide appears to be pretty accurate. However, users may find that the straps holding the brace up might slide down, especially when the dog lays down, which is a bit of a nuisance.
  • Ortocanis Original Knee Immobilizer for Dogs: This was definitely one of our favorite braces. We like how easy it seems to be to put on dogs and how it has stability bars along the side to keep the knee immobilized. Pet owners may need to occasionally adjust the strap on this brace also to prevent it from sliding down periodically.
  • Labra Dog Knee Brace Wrap: We liked that this brace seemed to be durable and built to last. However, since you have to use a chest harness with the brace, we wish there was an option to purchase them together.
  • Labra Supportive Dog Hock Brace: We really like how easy it is to put this brace on and take it off your dog. However, we wish there were more than just four sizes to offer a better fit for dogs of all sizes.
  • AGON Dog Rear Hock Joint Brace: Since a dog in need of a knee brace is likely already experiencing discomfort, we like that this option seems exceptionally comfortable to wear. However, since it is a hock joint brace, we wouldn’t recommend it for ACL tears or other knee issues.

About the Author

My passion is writing about animals. I’ve published articles on pet parrots, birds, and small animal care and reviews about pet food and products. I have an ever-evolving aviary and menagerie that has included cockatiels, parakeets, conures, European starlings, a chukar partridge, guinea pigs, dogs, and cats. I’m also the author of Faith without Labels: a Guide to Eclectic Spirituality.

Compare the Best Dog Knee Braces FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Do dog knee braces help?

Yes, in many cases a dog knee brace can help. Depending on the exact type of injury, your vet may recommend using a knee brace for your dog. Braces can be used for rehabilitation, for arthritis, for sprains, or to help stabilize the knee and prevent a future injury.

Do dog knee braces work for dogs with torn ACL?

While a knee brace may offer some added support and stability for dogs with a torn ACL, using a knee brace likely won’t remove the need for surgery. A dog knee brace ACL may be recommended by your veterinarian depending on the nature of the tear.

How do you stabilize a dog’s knee?

Using a knee brace can help you stabilize your dog’s knee to keep them more comfortable, reduce the pain they’re experiencing, and allow their injury to heal. You can find dog knee braces for a luxating patella, dog knee braces for ACL tears, braces for arthritis, braces for rehabilitation, braces for sprains, and more. The right brace for your dog will vary based on their specific injury and the recommendations from their veterinarian.

How long should a dog wear a knee brace?

Every injury is different, so the length of time a dog will need to wear a knee brace can vary. You’ll want to consult with your veterinarian to see what they recommend based on the specific needs of your pup. Generally speaking, however, dogs should wear their knee brace all day while they are awake, and it can be taken off at night before bed. Most dogs will need to continue wearing the brace for a few months to let the injury fully heal, but again, this can vary.

How much do dog knee braces cost?

The cost to purchase a dog knee brace can vary. Most models are priced between about $30 and $100. However, if you’re looking for a custom-made brace, you should expect to spend a good deal more than this.

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