Activities For Dogs With Arthritis

Your dog, even with those swollen and painful joints, will actually feel better if you provide some gentle activity two or three times a week. If possible, allow your dog to go on daily short walks around the neighborhood with you. The best time to go on a short hike is on warm, not too hot, sunny day. However, you can walk around your home or apartment if the weather is not agreeable. If you wish, you can make a trek around the yard to ensure the proper amount of activity for your arthritic dog.

Before you engage your pup in any activity, even just a walk around the neighborhood, it is a good idea to help them warm up their muscles and joints. This will get your dog excited for the upcoming exercise - believe me, your dog does miss getting out and participating in rambunctious activity with you - plus it minimizes the potential for injury to already worn joints. You will want to avoid a great deal of running or jumping, especially during warm up time. As humans, we stretch. Ask your dog to sit, then have the dog "high five" you. This will stretch the front legs. Have your dog crawl to you on their tummy to stretch the back legs. Walk around in small circles. Get the blood pumping to those muscles. A little treat at the end of the session will make your pal eager for stretching exercises before every outing.

Many dogs begin developing arthritis at about what we might consider "middle age" of a dog's life, around age eight. However, there are cases of dogs developing this disease early on in life. That is why movement is key in every case. If the weather is inclement, try a few indoor games. You can play hall ball, but instead of tossing the ball, work on rolling the ball. Encourage your dog not to run after the ball, but to walk to it and bring it back to you. You can also work on your dog's tricks and commands as a way to practice their manners, as well as giving your best buddy low-impact movement to enjoy.