When our dogs are diagnosed with arthritis, it’s normal to be concerned. However, it doesn’t have to mean the end of an active life. Physical activity is still important for managing and maintaining your dog’s quality of life. The key is to shift your approach to low-impact activities that allow your dog to exercise while supporting joint health and minimizing strain.
Creating a low-impact exercise plan for your dog requires an understanding of the principles of safe exercise, the importance of working with your veterinarian, and the role of supportive treatments and supplements as part of a broader care plan. The following information will allow you to make informed decisions for your dog, ensuring you can help them live a happy, healthy, and comfortable life.
Understanding the Role of Mobility Exercises for Dogs with Arthritis
A diagnosis of arthritis, medically known as osteoarthritis, can be hard to hear. This chronic joint disease involves the breakdown of cartilage and the formation of bony growths, conditions that progress over time. This progression leads to inflammation, pain, and stiffness, which in turn can significantly impact your dog’s range of motion and overall mobility.
Rest is essential when dealing with any joint pain or mobility challenge, but complete inactivity can worsen the condition. When a dog completely avoids movement, the muscles that support the affected joints weaken and atrophy. This loss of muscle mass leads to decreased joint stability, greater levels of stiffness, and increased pain. Meanwhile, studies have shown that incorporating exercise into the routine of a dog with joint conditions can help support better mobility.
By keeping your dog’s body moving in a controlled and safe way, you can help maintain muscle mass, improve joint lubrication, and prevent stiffness.
Working with Your Veterinarian and Other Experts
Navigating a new exercise plan for an arthritic dog should start with a consultation with your veterinarian. This will allow your vet to accurately diagnose your dog’s condition, determining the severity of the arthritis and identifying which specific joints are most affected. This is important information, as it will allow you to tailor an exercise plan that is both safe and effective.
Your veterinarian may also suggest incorporating prescription medications like NSAIDs to help with pain management by controlling inflammation and pain. It’s important to note that NSAIDs can have side effects with long-term use, so be sure to discuss the risks and benefits with your veterinarian.
In addition to traditional veterinary medicine, you may wish to incorporate a holistic approach that includes integrative and complementary therapies, like canine chiropractic and acupuncture. These should be part of the conversation with your veterinarian and administered by a qualified, certified professional.
Low-Impact Exercises for Mobility and Strength
Once you have a clear understanding of your dog’s specific condition and have created a care and management plan with your veterinarian, you can begin to incorporate safe, gentle dog exercise into their daily routine. The goal is to keep the joints lubricated and the muscles engaged without causing stress or pain.
- Controlled Leash Walks: This is the most fundamental and effective exercise. However, not all walks are created equal when it comes to considering safe exercises for dogs with arthritis. Soft, forgiving surfaces like grass, dirt, or packed sand reduce impact, while pavement adds stress to sore joints. Just as important are walking mechanics. If a dog is pulling on the leash, held too tightly on a short lead, or forced to walk at an unnaturally slow pace, their gait can be restricted and strain points can develop in the neck, shoulders, or back. Training routines that keep a dog looking up at the handler for long stretches can also create tension and pinch points. The best walks are those that allow a natural, comfortable stride with enough leash freedom to move safely and smoothly.
- Water Exercises: Swimming and hydrotherapy are ideal exercises for senior dogs, especially those with arthritis. The natural buoyancy of water helps to support their body weight, taking that weight off their joints and reducing impact. At the same time, the resistance of the water provides a gentle workout that builds and maintains muscle strength. If you have access to a canine hydrotherapy center, a professional can guide your dog through controlled sessions.
- Gentle Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises: These exercises involve passively moving your dog’s joints through their natural range of motion. After a walk or a warm-up, gently flex and extend each leg in a slow, deliberate manner. This helps to maintain joint flexibility and prevent stiffness. A physical rehabilitation therapist can offer hands-on instruction, teaching you the correct and safest way to perform these exercises at home.
- Slow “Weave Poles”: You can create a simple set of “weave poles” like those used in agility by setting up household items like cones or even pillows. Instead of having your dog weave at a fast pace, guide them slowly through the objects. This encourages controlled, gentle body and joint movement without the high-speed twists that can cause pain and further injuries.
- Cavaletti Poles: This exercise involves having your dog walk over low obstacles (otherwise known as cavaletti poles) laid on the ground. The height of the poles can be adjusted, but for dogs with arthritis, they should be kept very low. This activity will encourage your dog to lift their feet higher, improving their balance, coordination, and range of motion.
A successful management plan involves more than just identifying the best exercise for arthritic dogs. When starting a new exercise or care routine, there are a few key considerations that must be at the forefront of your mind.
Exercises should never cause or intensify your dog’s pain. Always watch for signs of discomfort, such as limping, lagging behind, or reluctance to participate. Additionally, you want to focus on encouraging gentle movement without putting high-impact stress on the joints. Activities that involve jumping, sprinting, or sudden stops should be avoided.
Short, frequent exercise sessions are far more beneficial than long, strenuous ones. For example, multiple 10-15 minute walks throughout the day can be more effective and safer than a single hour-long walk. This will help you avoid pushing your dog too far and potentially risking further injury.
If you do notice any signs of trouble, stop the current activity and consult your vet.
Nutritional and Supplement Support for Mobility
While understanding how to exercise a dog with arthritis is the foundation for an effective arthritis management plan, it’s only one piece of a comprehensive care strategy. The right nutritional and supplement support can work with physical activity to reduce inflammation, ease discomfort, and help your dog maintain a higher level of mobility.
For decades, glucosamine and chondroitin have been the standard ingredients in joint supplements. However, research has shown that these ingredients are far less effective than once believed, with little to no evidence of benefit. As a result, experts are now exploring other evidence-based, research-backed alternatives that directly support joint health while supporting overall well-being.
By incorporating a well-researched supplement like Bernie’s Healthy Hips, which was formulated based on the analysis of over 150 ingredients to create a formula to best support your dog’s joint health and mobility, you can provide targeted support that works alongside your low-impact exercise plan. This combination can help address stiffness and discomfort, allowing your dog to stay active and enjoy a more comfortable life.
The Path to Better Mobility for Your Arthritic Dog
A diagnosis of arthritis does not mean your dog must now accept a sedentary life. Instead, it’s a call to action to pivot your focus towards an informed, holistic management approach. By working with your veterinarian to create a plan that combines low-impact exercise for dogs with the right nutritional and supplemental support, pain management, and other complementary therapies, you can actively preserve your dog’s mobility and improve their overall quality of life.
