As dogs age they get many of the same ailments as we do swelling of the joints or arthritis, diminished eyesight, heart disease the list goes on. Keeping your dog healthy and engaged goes a long way to ensuring they have a long and healthy life with you. That starts with keeping your dog at its ideal weight from a young age the less pressure they put on their joints and heart muscle when they are younger the less stress they will be under during the lifetime of your dog therefore giving you more time with your special friend.
If your dog is getting up in years and starting to slow down so they aren’t using up as much energy as they were when they were young it is time to reevaluate their current weight and see if they might need a change in diet. Along with the change in diet to something maybe with a bit less fat more structured exercise is a great option. Running and jumping in the yard for balls or sticks might no longer be an option but a slow leisurely walk around the block is great to get their heart pumping without adding too much stress. Now is also a great time if you haven’t done so already to find games that they can play that will keep their mind sharp. This can even be “hiding” kibble round the kitchen while someone takes the dog into another room and then having your dog search for the food.
Swimming is a great activity for a dog with arthritis just remember that swimming can be an intense workout so if your dog has heart disease a more interactive swim time with you in the pool is perfect. Keep an eye on your dog to make sure they don’t start panting too much and you can always place your hand over their heart to see how fast it is beating. If you think it is too much take a break sitting on the steps. If you dog is otherwise healthy and just has arthritis you can add some toys to the fun by throwing the ball once you are both in the water and having them bring it back to you while still in the water in order to keep the stress off of their joints.
Some other things to keep in mind:
Slippery floors can be treacherous for arthritic dogs. Stairs are often difficult for dogs with arthritis. If you live in a two-story home it would be advisable to place your dog’s bedding and feeding utensils on the ground floor to prevent them from having to climb up the stairs with achy joints. A baby gate might be necessary so they don’t try to join you upstairs. Create a happy place for them downstairs with their favorite beds and blankets so they don’t see it as punishment.
Doctors hate Fromyalgia because they can hardly diagnose it or treat it. Have you had your doctor write off the symptions as imaginary pain? Even so called,claimed specialists have no solution and conclude that it is incurable, “but here let me prescribe this pill”…….