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Should I exercise my senior dog?

Astrid Lemke
Astrid Lemke
2025-10-02 12:14:48
Count answers : 22
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Their heart, lungs and muscles still need a workout to keep strong though. It all comes down to balance and keeping a close eye on how your dog is responding. Observe your dog carefully during and after walks. If they seem to be panting more, are slow, seem to be struggling to move or are waking up the day after a walk with discomfort – these may be signs that you need to slow things down. Your dog’s current fitness, weight, any health conditions they have and their enthusiasm for exercise will all feed into tailoring an activity plan that’s just right for them. Walks provide so much more than exercise – it’s where dogs explore and experience the world through their senses. Focus on pace and time, not distance.
Margarita Herzog
Margarita Herzog
2025-09-20 07:47:44
Count answers : 25
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But this doesn’t mean our senior dogs don’t require any exercise. In fact, maintaining an active lifestyle can help decrease the onset of conditions such as arthritis and muscle loss. Exercise helps keep their minds occupied, their weight healthy, and their bodies strong, in addition to proper nutrition, of course. Regardless of what physical limitations your dog may have, there’s always something fun to do that helps maintain their optimal well-being. Walking is an excellent, low-impact exercise that promotes a healthy body and mind for both you and your dog. Swimming is very easy on the body, especially the joints, while still being a powerful total-body workout. Cross-training allows certain areas of the body to rest while you work on building strength in others. If your dog is suffering from an ailment, such as osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, or an injury, you’ll want to consider a physical activity that may ease the stress on those joints and strengthen the muscles. Your dog’s comfort and well-being should come first.