Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: The Importance of Exercise In Older Canines

It's important that canine owners understand the
importance of exercising older dogs. In almost
every case, a senior dog will develop arthritis
to some degree as they age. Exercise can play an
important part in how your pet copes with this
joint disease over time.

First off, let's discuss your dog's weight. As he
or she ages, weight gains are almost inevitable.
However, it's important to remember that having
your dog on the thinner side is far healthier
than if they are carrying unneeded pounds. This
extra baggage is very stressful to the joints and
aggravates their osteoarthritis. Exercise can
play an important part in maintaining proper body
weight in pets.

But, as with some of our older dogs, many of our
four legged friends still think they are young
puppies even at an advanced age. Our oldest dog
is going on 17 now so she is not getting around
too well anymore anyway. However, just a few
years ago when going on walks and such she was
prone to getting too excited with running and
jumping around with the other dogs. She would
often end up hurting herself and come up limping
sometimes for several days afterwards.

It's important to moderate your dog's walking
routine. Make sure they do not overdo it. All
dogs will have their own limits and you will know
your's when he or she overdoes it and begins
limping afterward. Give your older dog plenty of
exercise, but not too much! That is the key.

Walking your pet on a regular basis helps keep
the muscles toned well. This is important in
those animals suffering from arthritis as the
toned muscles help keep the bones and joints
better supported and thus eliminating some of the
pain of dog arthritis. There is no set amount of
miles a dog should walk per week. Our 17 year old
dog, for example, gets in at least 6 to 9 miles a
week still. In her younger days of just a few
years ago she would double that amount each week
with us.

Also, don't forget to include a daily dose of
glucosamine supplement for your aging canine.
This is probably the single most important
supplement one can give their older dog who is
suffering the effects of canine arthritis. The
glucosamine will help the joints stay properly
lubricated with a good layer of cartilage. Health
cartilage is vital in the joints to keep the
bones from rubbing together causing more severe
arthritic symptoms.

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Learn more about how to handle your dog's
arthritis symptoms at Cactus Canyon:
http://www.cactuscanyon.com

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