The hardest part of an arthritic dog's day is usually the first movement of it: getting the back end up off the floor, or managing the three steps down into the garden. A rear-support harness with a lift handle lets you take a share of that weight at the exact moment it is needed, without hauling on a collar or hooking your hands under a belly and hoping.

The padded chest piece is what makes it wearable for more than a few minutes, because the load transfers through a broad panel across the front rather than a strap that rides up into the armpits. Supportive straps run back to stabilise the hips and rear legs, and the fastenings adjust so you can set how much of the work the hindquarters still do. The materials are breathable, which counts for a dog wearing this around the house rather than only for a walk.

• Padded chest harness with rear leg and hip support
• Lift handle for stairs and standing up
• Adjustable fastenings to set the level of support
• Breathable materials for longer wear
• Sizes M, L, XL and XXL, in black
• Product weight 600g to 889g depending on size

Please talk to your vet first. A support harness manages a symptom rather than treating what causes it, and anything sudden, such as a leg that gave way or a dog knuckling over on a paw, wants a diagnosis before it wants a brace. Introduce it in short sessions and take it off when the dog is unsupervised.

What the options mean. Sizes run from M to XXL — £68.99 for the smallest, £79.99 for the largest.

Who it's for: Owners of a senior or arthritic dog, or one rehabilitating after surgery, who need help with stairs and standing rather than a full mobility cart.