Dogs lose activity levels as they age, often becoming too tired or low in energy to get exercise. But physical activity is important to ensuring health, a longer lifespan, and even lessened pain.
Here are 8 tips to encourage activity from a dog in their golden years:
Start Slow
Your dog has to be slowly conditioned to develop the muscles they need for regular exercise. Going too fast can lead to injury.
Take Them Into Account During Joint Workouts
You don’t have to stop working out with your dog, but you may have to slow down your pace.
Swim In Moderation
Swimming is easy on the joints and a great form of exercise. But don’t overdo it, as too much can cause more harm than good!
Teach
They say an old dog can’t learn new tricks, but this is far from the truth! Train your senior dog to get them stretching and moving around while making sure their mind stays sharp.
Maintain A Good Weight
Don’t let your dog get obese, as this will lead to even more problems and risks.
Play
Convince your senior dog to play with you, even for just a little while!
Monitor
Keep an eye on your senior dog for signs of disease or disorders, especially ones like arthritis.
Don’t Underestimate
Senior dogs can be amazingly young at heart! Don’t assume they’ll be inactive just because!
Feature Image Source: Pixabay