Exercising with senior dogs is a great way to keep them healthy and happy in their older years. It’s important to adjust exercise routines in order to accommodate any age-related changes they may be experiencing. Here are some tips for exercising with your aging pup safely and effectively.
First, make sure you know your dog’s current health status when it comes to activity. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to consult your veterinarian before getting started. As dogs age, their ability to heal can decrease, so giving them the right amount of exercise is key in helping ensure they don’t overdo it or do something that could potentially injure them further down the line.
Once you have an understanding of what type of activities are appropriate for your pup, start slow! This means taking lots of breaks throughout even short walks as needed and favoring gentler options like leisurely strolls around the neighborhood or light play sessions with interactive toys such as Kongs filled with treats over activities that involve more vigorous movement (think agility training).
When it comes to high-impact activities like running that involve jumping or other extreme movements, try breaking up these sessions into shorter periods and take lots of rest stops if needed; depending on the individual dog’s level of physical fitness some canines may find that shorter bursts of exercise at a slower pace work best for them instead! Additionally spending more time indoors during hot weather can help reduce any potential heat related illnesses associated commonly with this type of activity which often manifest themselves in senior aged pets due to their decreased tolerance levels compared to younger counterparts…a bit unfair perhaps but all part & parcel within this natural aging process nonetheless unfortunately
Finally snacks are an important aspect too! Providing nutritious snacks while actively engaging in physical activities provides additional incentives encouraging our four legged friends towards continuing on through regardless how small or large the task ahead may seem at times With enough patience & reassurance senior pups will come around eventually realising just how beneficial these exercises really can be particularly if done properly according a unique routine developed specifically tailored towards each individual pet’s needs!
