Are you searching for ways to keep your senior dog fit and active? From walking daily to using low impact exercises, here are 10 tips for exercising senior dogs.
1. Seek Advice Before Altering Your Exercise Routine
Before altering their routine, it’s wise to arrange an appointment with their veterinarian and outline any questions and concerns before the meeting; otherwise you may end up saying, “Oh yeah I forgot to ask about that” afterward!
Your vet can evaluate your dog’s current state and develop an exercise routine tailored specifically for him or her.
2. Stick To A Daily Walking Routine Dogs of all ages benefit from daily walks, including senior ones. While your senior pet might no longer be up for long hikes with you, they’ll still appreciate a relaxing stroll through their neighborhood. If your walk becomes tedious, make it more engaging by giving your older pup control of navigation or scheduling regular sniff breaks to add variety and keep things exciting!
If your pup is out-of-shape or has mobility issues, remember to go slowly by choosing flat surfaces instead of hilly trails for your walks and gradually increasing distance over time.
Tip: Are you having difficulty adhering to a regular schedule for walking your dog? Here are some strategies on motivating yourself to walk him more frequently.
3. Take it Slow
When beginning an exercise routine for your senior dog, remember to start slowly. Just like us humans can overexert themselves when exercising, our canines may overdo themselves as well. Increase activity gradually over time for optimal results and to avoid injuries.
Start out slowly if you are beginning a walking routine with your pup by starting on an even surface, gradually increasing distance or pace over time.
If you’re adding new activities (such as swimming or fetch) to their routine (such as swimming or fetch), track how long they spend active for and whether there are any signs of discomfort afterwards. After several sessions you should have an idea of the amount of activity they can handle at one time – and can begin gradually increasing it over time.
