Exercising your Senior Dog
Exercise and play is important to all dogs, including your elderly dog
First, exercise helps maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight may lead to a number of health problems. It places excess stress on your pet's heart. Excess weight on degenerating joints can speed up the development of arthritis. Your walks need not be marathons nor so long that your senior has to struggle to make the journey home. Like you, they have good days and not so good days. If you suspect your dog may have sore joints visit your vet for effective medication that will relieve your seniors pain.
Your elderly dog's mental health may also benefit from exercise. Activity keeps oxygen and other nutrients at optimum levels in the brain. The brain is like every other organ in the body in that it requires good nutrition.
Get those seniors outside, enjoy your time with them.
May 2010
