Top Tips for exercise and weight management

Are your older furbabies turning into roly-poly couch potatoes? As our pets age and exercise less, weight gain can happen quickly. Keep an eye on their diet and portion size. It’s essential to evaluate your pet’s diet at different life stages to ensure there are receiving adequate nutrients to support their aging bodies and avoiding foods/ treats that create inflammation. It’s important to assess their body condition to keep the excess weight off their arthritic joints. This Body Condition Score chart is awesome to pop up on your fridge.

How much is too much exercise for our oldies?

Daily exercise is essential. If your arthritic dog is overweight, be cautious of excessively long walks. Two 15-minute walks a day are far more beneficial and manageable than an hour’s walk once a day.

Muscles lose strength and atrophy as the body ages. Gently core strengthening exercises, regular massage and a wellbeing plan benefit our arthritic pets. Greyt Touch Canine Massage Therapy and K9FUNdamentals have teamed up to bring you regular workshops filled with hands-on therapeutic techniques to help keep your oldies strong and mentally stimulated. Keep an eye out for our workshop dates this winter!

Do you use a harness? Here is a great comparison of harness designs. Avoid harnesses that impede your dog’s range of motion – these will create shoulder issues, changes in gait patterns and exacerbate your dog’s arthritis.

Mary-Anne invites you to bring your senior dogs to see her at PITC Wairau Park and Silverdale on Wellness Wednesdays for the remedial canine massage and soothing Vetcare Red Light Therapy treatment. BOOK YOUR SPOT HERE