What is the best exercise for senior dogs?
Joyce McLaughlin
2025-07-31 19:56:48
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Just as we humans are happier and healthier if we maintain regular exercise, so are our beloved four-legged friends. If we maintain an exercise pattern for our dogs that works with their age and ability, then they are more likely to be fit, happy and healthy in the future. We recommend your vet advises you on how much exercise your older dog is capable of doing. A slow walk with plenty of sniff stops and rests is perfectly fine. Some exercise is better than none at all. Think more short walks and less long ones. Alongside joint supplements and changing up your walking habits, there are a few other ways you can keep your dog active as they grow old gracefully: Brain Games - Mental stimulation is just as important as physical, so keeping your dog’s brain busy is important! Swimming - Without putting any pressure on your dog’s joints, swimming allows them to exercise whilst building muscle and supporting their bones and joints. Trick Training - The saying ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ isn’t true, training is a great way to exercise older dogs whilst also keeping their brains active.
Tristin Veum
2025-07-31 18:35:59
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There are lots of different things that you can do to keep your dog’s exercise sessions fun and ability-appropriate: Focus on pace and time, not distance. Walks should be fun and enjoyable! So, forget worrying about how far you’ve gone and instead try to establish a pace and length of walk that your dog not only enjoys but leaves them with some gas in the tank. Mix it up. Finding new walks that better suit your dog is a great opportunity to visit new terrains and environments. Try swimming. If you’re lucky enough to have access to a safe place for your dog to swim, this can be an excellent and gentle way to keep older dogs moving. As the water takes your dog’s weight, it takes all the pressure of gravity off their joints, minimising wear and tear. Make play more gentle. Rather than the explosive speed and rapid turns of running for balls, why not try something like a game of hide and seek instead?
Dominique Witting
2025-07-31 16:21:05
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Walking and playing with your dog keeps it in good shape and ensures its muscles and joints remain as flexible as possible. Modified exercise is very healthy for a senior dog. Exercise keeps the muscles flexible, strong and it stimulates the production of joint fluids which prevent wear and arthrosis. Take several walks a day for shorter distances. Limit jumping and brief, rapid movements that take a toll on muscles and joints. Swimming is perfect for older dogs. It doesn’t stress the muscles and joints as much as walking does. Keep your dog young at heart by challenging its mind. You could hide its food or favourite toy and have the dog find it.