Your darling dog is ageing and you want him to continue to stay healthy. Changes in behavior, appetite, activities, sleep are some of the common changes to expect in your dog. As the dog gets older, you still want him to be active, but don’t expect him to have the energy he did as a puppy.
Exercising older dogs is not that much different than exercising younger dogs. Just a little more attention and a better understanding of his changing requirements and you are ready to go. Whether your dog is an active and fit fellow or not, but as he gets older, he will start to slow down. This does not mean you should stop exercising older dogs.
They say that prevention is better than cure. Well, this goes perfectly for a dog’s lifestyle too. Make sure that your dog gets a healthy diet, and an appropriate amount of exercise. Make a regular visit to vet and keep tabs on health supplements, nutrition, and exercise as he starts ageing. Even alternative therapies like acupuncture, homeopathy, and massage can help your dog have a longer healthier life. These therapies are the best option for senior dogs when they suffer from ailments like arthritis.
Swimming can be a good option for exercising older dogs. This particular exercise is low impact and does not strain their muscles. As a dog’s metabolism slows, the body does not absorb food the same way, and your dog is likely to put on a few points. With age, even a fit dog gets weak especially if suffering from arthritis or dysplasia wherein he is not able to do much physical activity. When faced with such situation, swimming may be your best option for exercise. The benefits of swimming include increased heart rate, improved blood flow, enhanced lung capacity etc.
While exercising older dogs, you need to take care of some things. First, make sure the weather or temperature of the place suits the body type of your dog. While exercising older dogs, they may be prone to heatstroke. Whether old or young, walking is generally your best exercise option. You may begin with around 10-15 minutes in a day and gradually increase your exercise, a couple times a week. You will notice the benefits as well.
Although, exercising older dogs is necessary, also make sure that you spend more quality time with your senior dog. Interact with them; involve them in games like fetch-the-ball, tug-of-war, etc. While exercising older dogs, make sure he does not stress out during the regime. For an average senior dog, 20-25 minutes of typical exercise like walking is enough. Not only exercising older dogs, but also keep a tab on their nutrition. Visit a vet and plan a diet depending on the breed, age and weather of the place. Make sure your dog drinks plenty of fresh water to keep him hydrated.
Keeping your older dog exercising will keep him around for a long and happy life.