Exercise is so important for your older dogs; but, how do you know when your dog has had enough exercise? While on a walk, does your dog slow down, lay down to rest, limp, or pant excessively? He could be telling you that the walk just wore him out!
If your dog suffers from arthritis, he may not want to walk. Try giving him some glucosamine. If your senior dog is not on any vitamin or supplement regiment, ask your veterinarian about starting one. Dog owners think just because their dog is older, they should stop exercise. Actually, it is the opposite. Exercise keeps your dog’s joints limber and helps reduce pain, can improve his quality of life, and may even slow aging.
As your dog ages, it’s ok to reduce the amount of exercise; just don’t cut it out completely. Try decreasing the intensity level of exercise. Or, try shorter walks (but more of them) in lieu of a long walk. They will reap the benefit of the workout without it inflicting pain and discomfort.
If your dog has weak hind legs, try walking him up a hill; if he has weak front legs, try walking him down a hill. Games such as “Chuck-it” are very hard on your senior’s legs.
By keeping your dog at their optimal weight, you can help reduce the extra stress on their joints. Start keeping track of the treats that you give to your pet. Make sure you are feeding your dog the appropriate amount of food. We are killing our pets with kindness!
Massage your dog after a rigorous play time or extended walk. That will help him relax those tired muscles.
We can’t prevent them from growing older, but we can certainly help them live more comfortably. North Jersey Dog Walkers are here to help! Contact us at: