How to exercise an old dog with arthritis?

To exercise an old dog with arthritis, stretching is a simple and free practice that can help minimize their joint pain and increase their mobility. Consistency is key, so it's better to do a few minutes of stretching every day than a marathon session once a week. Always keep two words in mind: slowly and gently, and never stretch your dog too quickly or use jerking motions. Follow your dog’s lead, and if they show any signs of discomfort or uneasiness, adjust your method accordingly. There are 3 areas of the body for which stretching is especially beneficial in arthritic dogs: the hips, shoulders, and back. The Hip Flexor Stretch, Shoulder Flexor Stretch, and Back Stretch are three simple stretches that can be done in just a few minutes each day to increase mobility and decrease pain associated with arthritis. Consistent practice of these stretches will assist with increased mobility of the hips and spine, improved condition of the lower back, and decrease pain associated with arthritis. Additionally, a Back and Sacrum Massage can also help manage arthritis by improving the flow of spinal fluid, increasing mobility of the spine and hips, and decreasing anxiety.

Stopping high-intensity games and replacing them with more mentally stimulating challenges, like hide-and-seek the ball may reduce the forces aggravating their vulnerable joints which may reduce their reliance on other pain relieving interventions like medications. Watch your dog on your walk and observe how fast or slow they are, are they dragging behind, have they become a bit wobbly, are they beginning to intermittently stumble or scuff their feet? If you see changes that indicate they are tired, starting to fatigue or beginning to have difficulties, turn around and head home sooner rather than later. Be observant on walks not distracted by your mobile phone, your friends and everything else that is going on. Take a break or head back home or to the car sooner than planned to prevent overdoing it. Dogs have four legs and are very agile, but like us certain terrains can be harder to walk on than others, such as sand, stones, hills. Replacing a shingle beach with firm, predictable flat short grass will reduce the forces being placed through and aggravating arthritic joints and surrounding supportive muscle. Understanding what terrains and surfaces negatively affect your dog can be trial and error. Be observant with how they cope with it and the effect it has on them later, i.e. are they more stiff later in the day and the day after. Ideally avoid obstacles, routes, activities that will be hazardous and that could lead to stumbles and falls.

When starting to exercise a dog who isn’t in a regular exercise program, it is best to walk them frequently but for short periods of time, which reduces the rest time between walks, during which their joints will stiffen. A good start is 10 minutes of walking, three times a day. If your pet doesn’t experience increased stiffness, it can be increased on a weekly basis. Controlled, regular physical exercise is one of the core treatments for canine osteoarthritis, along with weight control, physical rehabilitation, and pain management. Exercise increases circulation to the muscles and joints, decreases stiffness in the joint capsule and soft tissues, reduces pain, maintains strength, and benefits the cardiovascular system. There are many simple exercises you can do with your dog to increase muscle strength and mobility. Obstacle courses: Make a course with broomsticks or small poles, spaced body-length apart, that your dog can walk over slowly. Three-legged stands: Ask your dog to stand and pick up one of their feet, causing them to shift their body weight to the remaining three feet on the ground.