Dogs are loyal. They stay with you through thick and thin, no matter how bad it gets. For this reason, they deserve all the love they get. Just like humans, they age, and with aging comes a lot of changes they need your help to get them through. From the joint weakness to the mental and behavioral changes, they need your care. But as they age, taking care of them becomes more difficult. This should not be seen as an obstacle, but as a stage that pet owners and dogs need to navigate together.
One of the essential things senior dogs need is exercise. Immobility increases the risk of arthritis, heart problems and obesity. Exercise should be a fun time for them but getting your dog to go out with you may be increasingly difficult as they age. If you are reluctant about taking your senior dog out for exercise, we are here to convince you. Below is a list of benefits for regular exercise for senior dogs:
- KEEPING FIT– Aging is accompanied by lower energy levels and lesser activity due to weight gain and arthritis. At this stage, exercise helps strengthen their joints and muscles. It is, therefore, important that you maintain healthy exercise routine with them.
- KEEPS OBESITY AWAY– Watching your dog gain weight isn’t fun. It can cause many other health and behavior issues as they age.
- MANAGE BEHAVIORAL CHANGES – Is your dog getting grumpy? Is it becoming more aggressive and always ready to attack other dogs or people? Exercise trains their impulse control and improves their frustration tolerance.
- RELAXATION AND BONDING TIME – Exercise time is always a time for dog owners to bond with their dogs. The mood and behavioral changes senior dogs experience may make them feel isolated and alone.
Senior dogs deserve the best after being your loyal companions for many years. It is time to support them the way they have always supported you. If you are looking for new ways to exercise with your senior dog, Run Doggy Run Mobile Gym has got you covered with its exercise service that can be delivered to your doorstep with just a click.
Header image: Photo by Jairo Alzate on Unsplash