5 safe exercises for dogs with arthritis

Up to 80% of dogs over the age of 10 years will be affected by arthritis to some degree. It’s one of the most common conditions in our canine companions. While there is no cure for arthritis, there are many treatments available that may help improve your dog’s quality of life and help him continue to enjoy his favorite activities.

Arthritis is a condition that occurs when there is inflammation of one or more joints in the body. Dogs with arthritis often experience stiffness, difficulty walking and limping on the affected limbs, lameness, and a decrease in appetite and energy levels. Arthritis can be extremely painful for dogs leading to them exhibiting some very “un-doglike” behaviors, such as being less active or vocalizing when they are in pain.

5 safe exercises for dogs with arthritis

The good news is that there are many things you can do with your dog to help improve the symptoms of arthritis and allow him to continue doing the activities he loves.

Exercise is one of the best things you can do for a dog with arthritis. It helps keep his joints flexible, maintains muscle tone, builds endurance, prevents excess weight gain, which puts more stress on the joints, and provides pain relief by promoting blood flow to the joints.

Here are our top five exercises that help dogs with arthritis stay happy and healthy.

1) Stairs

Limping up the stairs is no fun for any dog, but stairs are a great way to ensure your pet gets enough exercise every day.

Stairs are also helpful for dogs experiencing shortness of breath and pain when going up and down hills or inclines. By using stairs you can help your dog get the exercise he needs while avoiding any difficult terrain, such as hills or hard floors.

Here’s how to make it work: Make sure your dog is steady on his feet. If he is unsteady on stairs, start by holding onto him or guiding him up and down with a harness. Gradually work towards getting your pet to go up and down without any help from you by gradually increasing the number of steps he takes each time. Also, try building additional muscle strength in his back end by using a resistance band to help him up and down the stairs. There are a number of ways you can do this, from holding it in place while your dog walks up the steps or wrapping it around his back end for additional support.

2) Slow Swimming

Slow, easy swimming is a great way to keep your pet active while giving his painful joints a rest. It also stimulates blood flow to the muscles, which can reduce pain and improve mobility.

The key here is slow swimming. Many dogs will instinctively swim faster when they are in open water, but this type of activity should be avoided because it puts more stress on the joints than swimming slowly through flat water. To make sure your dog doesn’t overdo it, use a life vest while you’re swimming to give him additional support and keep him from fatiguing himself quickly.

3) Massages

A massage can be a wonderful way to help your pet get rid of pain and feel relaxed after a long day of activity. Just make sure to start off slowly so that your dog doesn’t get overwhelmed. Here’s how to do a simple massage:

Start by gently pressing your hands into your pet’s limbs and massaging in a circular motion. Gradually work your way up the body, paying careful attention to more sensitive areas, such as around the joints or under the tail. If you find an area that feels particularly painful, spend more time massaging it.

4) Low-impact activity with a buddy

Sharing activities with your pet is a great way to spend quality time together and help him ease some of the symptoms of arthritis.

Many dogs will benefit from playing low-impact fetch or going for a walk, as long as they have a comfortable harness. When playing fetch, choose a ball that your pet can carry in his mouth without dropping. If he is still able to run and wants to play fetch but has trouble bringing the ball back, try placing it at his feet while encouraging him to pick it up or by using a retrieval toy designed for dogs with arthritis. In addition, if your dog is a fan of tug-of-war, make sure to modify the game by using a flat toy rather than pulling at his limbs directly.

5) Stretching exercises

Stretching is an important part of any workout because it keeps muscles flexible and helps reduce soreness after exercise. Here are two stretches your dog can do on his own:

Have your dog lie on his side and put a little pressure on the opposite shoulders to encourage him to stretch out that leg. Have your pet sit up and gently lean forward with his head down, encouraging him to stretch out the neck muscles.

By taking these simple steps you can help your dog continue living a full life without pain. Just remember that when choosing activities for your pet, it’s always best to start off slow and work your way up. Also, it’s a good idea to add turmeric or organic hemp extract to your pet’s diet so they can get the extra anti-inflammation.