Exercising Your Senior Dog: 11 Effective Tips!
Deborah R Fletcher Mar 26, 2023 8:29 AM
If you have an elderly dog that is losing weight and muscle mass, you are likely concerned and seeking for ways to enhance its condition via exercise.
Senior dogs typically spend a great deal more time snoozing and may not be interested in becoming fit. It is also natural to fear hurting your elderly dog via vigorous activities.
Continue reading "Exercising Your Senior Dog: 11 Effective Tips!" by BestForPets (bestforpets.org) as we address these issues and demonstrate numerous things you can do to assist inspire and recondition your pet so that they can live a longer, healthier life.
1. Check With Your Veterinarian
Before beginning any fitness program with your dog, you must first get him examined by a veterinarian.
Your veterinarian can tell you if it is safe to begin such a program and provide you with an estimate of how much daily exercise your dog need.
2. Begin Slowly
You should not begin slowly with an elderly dog that is losing weight and muscular mass since it is easily harmed and will be dissuaded from continuing after it recovers.
Be patient and allow the muscles to rebuild gently. Any action is preferable to none, and you can increase its time and complexity in the future.
3. Warm-Up
Everyone who runs daily will tell you the importance of stretching before to running. Older dogs require additional time to stretch and prepare their muscles for a lengthy walk or run.
Before you begin, let our dog to run a few laps around the yard chasing a ball or a stick to get the blood and muscles working. A brief warm-up will lessen the likelihood of injury.
4. Keep It Low Impact
High-impact activities, such as jumping, can damage an aging dog that is losing weight and muscle mass, therefore you will need to limit the intensity of the dog's training schedule.
Walking and swimming are the finest low-impact activities to pick from. Dog parks are another excellent option, since they give your pet with the additional excitement of meeting new pals.
5. Adequate Surface
If your elderly dog has spent a great deal of time indoors snoozing, it is likely that its paws are sensitive. It can be uncomfortable for it to walk on asphalt or concrete, especially when it is hot outside.
If your pet is straining to walk, it's generally best to switch your training sessions on grass or wait till the day cools off.
6. Daily Walk
We propose a brief daily stroll unless you have convenient access to water and your dog enjoys swimming, in which case you may let it go for a brief daily swim.
The walks should not be lengthy. A walk of 10 to fifteen minutes will be more than sufficient. You can add a few minutes to it every few weeks if you begin to make improvement.
7. Watch for Pain and Discomfort
As previously said, you will need to be very cautious in the beginning for indicators of pain. Hot pavement may not be the primary cause of your dog's complaints, so you must be vigilant and halt if issues occur.
Stopping can assist prevent damage, and will also let the dog believe that you are concerned for its well-being.
8. Be Constant
Consistency is essential in dog training, and exercise is a kind of training. You are instructing it to be more energetic. Conducting your training sessions at the same time each day will assist your dog in establishing a pattern.
Routines are crucial, particularly if your dog is reluctant to participate. You will need to demonstrate that it can be enjoyable so that your dog will remember the wonderful time it had yesterday and be motivated to participate.
Even skipping one day, particularly in the beginning, might take you back to square one.
9. Don't Forget Mental Workout
Not all forms of exercise must be physical. Your dog will also benefit from mental stimulation. There are a variety of similar activities you can play with your pet, such as hiding goodies throughout the house to stimulate its hunting instincts.
You may also purchase commercial puzzles with varying degrees of difficulty online or in a pet store near you. A intellectually stimulated dog is less likely to be depressed and more likely to enjoy participating in sports and activities, according to our observations.
10. Chill Out
It is equally crucial to remember to cool down after your workout program as it was to warm up beforehand. This is where you may stroke and massage your dog, as well as give it a belly rub.
Regardless of the outcome, your pet undoubtedly deserves some goodies. This cool-down period is what will bring the dog back to tomorrow's training session, so do not skip it.
11. Flexible Routine
Maintaining your dog's flexibility is an essential component of its exercise regimen, particularly for senior dogs who are losing weight and muscular mass.
Even if the dog is making improvement and hasn't had a terrible day in a while, you shouldn't push it, since it will have good and bad days. Ensure that your routine is adaptable enough to accommodate sudden changes in plans.
We hope you have found the answers to your queries and have enjoyed "Exercising Your Senior Dog: 11 Effective Tips!" by BestForPets (bestforpets.org).
It might be frightening to exercise an elderly dog, but it is necessary for a longer, happier life. Even light exercise can make it simpler for your dog to rise from a supine position or ascend and descend stairs. It will also restore your dog's appetite, allowing it to begin gaining weight again.
As long as you have your dog examined by a veterinarian before beginning and as long as you begin cautiously, your dog will begin to rebuild muscle and enjoy the process. It will also provide you with more bonding time with your pet.
