Keep your dog active, but in a safe way

Even though a senior dog can’t run or jump, they need to take part in physical activity to deal with joint issues. But of course, you do not have to overdo it. You can take your dog for a walk in the park or near home every day. 

“Muscles support joints,” Dr. Morgan says. “Without good muscle tone, mobility decreases drastically. This is why pet physical therapy has become so commonly used. Joints in motion stay limber; joints not in motion get stiff.” 

“A lot of senior dogs love to swim in their human’s pool or at a facility with hydrotherapy,” Coughlin says. “It’s a great exercise that’s cardiovascular as well. Nice low-impact exercises for senior dogs are swimming and water play.”