Aging dogs often experience various health problems and age-related changes. Many develop mobility problems, usually due to wear and tear on joints and muscles. Your dog may start walking more slowly instead of sprinting to get somewhere.
If you have a dog that gets a lot of exercise, you will notice their mobility issues due to easy aging. Some dogs don’t run or jump as often as they used to or don’t want to go outside to exercise or play. You may need to adapt your walking routes so that your dog doesn’t climb as many hills or walk in uneven areas.
Even if your dog doesn’t want to exercise as much as he used to, playtime is still a beneficial way to ensure you’re managing his weight and contributing to his overall health and happiness. As responsible dog owners, it is necessary to provide the best care to your puppy even as he gets older.
If your aging dog is having trouble keeping up with activity due to joint and mobility issues, you may be wondering if there are safe exercises to ensure he stays active. There are still many ways to exercise your dog with low-impact activities that will help maintain their health and vitality.
Health Symptoms of Senior Dogs
Besides recognizing that your dog is older, there are some signs that it may be time to change his exercise routine. Many older dogs may exhibit a variety of symptoms, many of which include:
- Lumps or bumps on the skin – Many older dogs have spongy bumps that protrude from the skin, called lipomas; These are mostly fatty tumors, and you have no reason to worry, but you can talk to your vet if you are concerned.
- Lethargy and exercise intolerance
- Sleep more often during the day
- Reduced appetite
- Increased thirst
- Disorientation or balance problems
- Smelly breath
Unfortunately, serious health problems like cancer can affect older dogs. Many dogs also suffer from urinary incontinence or develop heart murmurs that cause coughing or difficulty breathing.
Any of these symptoms and signs may worry you, as a dog owner. The expert veterinarians and animal technicians of Bond veterinarian point out that while many of these signs are common in aging dogs, you can still contact your veterinarian or bring your dog in for an exam, just to be safe.
Low-impact exercises
Being aware of your aging dog’s limitations means you should consider incorporating more low-impact exercises. Here are some of the best ways to ensure your puppy always gets the training he needs each day without pushing too hard.
Walk
Walking your pet daily is essential to ensure its overall health regardless of its age. Many dogs need at least one longer walk each day, and you can break it up a bit by taking shorter walks. Allow plenty of time for your dog to stop and sniff for a break during your walks.
Pay attention to your dog’s pace when walking. If your dog suffers more from hip and joint problems, monitor the affected areas after each walk to ensure there is no inflammation, swelling, or flare-ups causing lameness.
Harnesses for dogs and chairs can also be helpful in keeping your dog mobile. Talk to your veterinarian about options that can help a dog with more serious illnesses. mobility problems and which products are the best.
The weather can also impact your senior dog, as extreme heat or cold may be more susceptible. Consider investing in outerwear if your dog is more sensitive to the cold or putting something on his paws to protect him from the heat on the asphalt or sidewalk.
To go swimming
Swimming is one of the best low-impact ways to exercise your dog because it is very gentle on the joints and muscles. You can give your dog effective training without putting pressure on his bones.
If you have a pool, great, but don’t think there aren’t options without a backyard pool. Check out areas around you with a beach, lake, or pond where you can let your dog swim.
If you’ve never taken your dog swimming, he may not want to go in the water. Do not try to push your dog to swim, as this could cause more injury if he is in a hurry to get out. Introduce swimming slowly and encourage your dog’s interest by entering it yourself.
If your dog likes to follow you, chances are he will eventually come to you and swim. It may be helpful to get your dog a life jacket to help him feel safe in the water.
If you can’t get your dog to swim, try walking in a shallow area that your dog is willing to go to, where the water doesn’t rise high. It will still provide low impact resistance and can also help cool your pup on a hot day.
Mental stimulation
Mental exercises can also impact your senior dog’s physical health, so they are just as essential to include. Nose work, for example, is a great way to get your dog to move around and dig lightly by hiding treats or toys around the house.
Take the mental stimulation even further by making it a game. Consider putting a treat under a cup with three other cups and ask your dog to find the one that contains the treat. Or keep it simple and just put a few treats around the house while your dog naps to find them later.
There are many interactive activities toys and puzzles for dogs you can invest to help you with this task. If you have a curious dog, these dogs are another great option for doing a nose job that involves a little physical activity.
Learning commands
The saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is so far from the truth! You can work with your senior dog to help him learn new commands with simple repetitions and praise with treats or toys.
Keep your commands simple and straightforward; Don’t try to ask an aging dog to perform tricks that involve a lot of running or jumping. Instead, consider teaching something like “roll over” if your dog already knows “lie down” to add and enhance the learning of a new command.
Caring for Your Aging Dog
Be sure not to overexert your dog with exercises that last too long or are intense when you are aware of mobility issues. due to age. Avoid running or hiking and focus on shorter walks and quality play sessions.
It may be helpful to ask your veterinarian for recommendations on what low-impact exercise or physical activity is best for your senior dog. It is possible that depending on the severity of the health problems, there are options for surgery, joint replacement or rehabilitation.
There are also supplements helpful for joint support and flexibility. Take care of your aging dog by ensuring he always gets enough exercise to manage his overall health and vitality for a long and happy life together.