Don’t Let Your Dog Become An Invalid – Choose Fun Exercises!
December 14, 2009
Just because your dog may be older or injured doesn’t mean that he has to be an invalid. Even if your older injured dog uses a wheelchair he can still enjoy some exercise! There are plenty of fun things you and your dog can do together. Here are some ideas for exercise for the elderly dog.
Swimming
You can increase mobility in the older injured dog by taking your dog swimming. Swimming is good exercise for most dogs (with the exception of brachycephalic breeds) and it’s especially good for aging dogs and dogs with joint problems. Swimming tones the muscles without risking injury to joints and bones. It provides exercise for dogs that may be at risk of being overweight. And it’s very relaxing. Take your dog swimming if you have the chance. Even if your dog uses a wheelchair many of them can go in the water and it’s easy enough to remove them so your dog can swim without it.
Walking/Running
Going for a walk with your senior dog is great exercise. If a walk is the limit of your dog’s exercise tolerance, that’s fine. But many older dogs are able to do more. Don’t assume that your dog can only take a walk. He may surprise you and feel like going for a longer walk or moving faster than you expected.
There are dogs in wheelchairs who are quite capable of running so if your dog is still very active in a wheelchair there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go along with him at his pace. Don’t let him overdo it, of course, but it’s fine for both of you to keep fit.
Other Activities
If your dog was addicted to flyball, agility or some other dog sport, go ahead and see if you can adapt it to his current situation. Whether he’s simply older now or whether he’s in a wheelchair or has some other disability, see if you can do some form of the activity he loves. It will probably make him very happy and be good exercise.
Don’t forget dog parks and other kinds of socialization either. Dogs are social animals, even if they’re older and injured. You can still take your dog out to some of his favorite places and let him meet other dogs and people. Just because your dog may have lost some of his mobility it doesn’t mean that he has to become a shut-in.
There are many things you can do to increase your senior dog’s mobility. The most important thing is your attitude. Keep a positive attitude about your dog and his abilities. Don’t assume that he’s ready for the grave. You don’t know what he can do until you try.
Summary
Exercise for your older injured dog is as important as it ever was. Try some exercise like swimming, walking, running. Go to places that your dog enjoys such as the dog park. Do things that he likes such as flyball and agility. You don’t know what he can do until you try.
Comments
Got something to say?