Back legs give out gradually, and the first sign is usually the stairs or the car boot rather than the walk itself. A brace fixes none of the underlying causes, but wrapping the hip and thigh gives the joint something to push against, and that can make everyday movement steadier for a dog who has started to wobble on turns or sink at the back end getting up.

The wrap sits around the hip and upper thigh and applies gentle, even compression across the area, holding the leg in a more consistent line as the dog moves. Even pressure is the point: a strap that digs in at one spot gets shrugged off within a walk, and one that slides down does nothing at all. It is a support aid for daily pottering, meant to go on and come off around activity rather than stay on.

• Wraps the hip and upper thigh to stabilise the rear leg
• Gentle, even compression through the joint area
• Aimed at hip weakness, arthritis and recovery from injury
• Intended for periods of activity, not continuous wear
• Four sizes: S, M, L and XL

Speak to your vet first. Hind-leg weakness has several causes, and some are made worse by compression or by masking pain that would otherwise stop a dog loading the leg. Ask before you fit one and take it off between uses so you can check for rubbing. We have no measurement chart for the four sizes, so send us your dog's hip girth and we will advise rather than guess.

Who it's for: Older or recovering dogs whose back end has become unsteady, where a vet agrees a support wrap is appropriate.