The way a dog moves changes as it ages. Older dogs become less active, move a little slower, and have trouble doing the same things they could do when they were younger. Simple tasks like climbing stairs, jumping in the car, or getting on the couch can be difficult or impossible for an older pet.
If you are wondering, how can I help my senior dog lead an active life? You have come to the right place. Getting older doesn’t mean your dog has to slow down or let changes in mobility affect his daily life. Many options are available to help your dog stay active well into his senior years.
A multimodal approach to canine mobility
There is no single solution or approach to improving a pet’s mobility. To improve mobility in older pets, you need to take a more holistic view of their treatment plan. The best approach will include pain management, daily joint supplements, mobility aids, exercises, or physical therapy. All the elements are necessary to ensure that your senior pet receives the best possible care. Talk to your veterinarian and create a plan that will best suit your pet and their mobility needs.
pain management
Pain management is the most important step, an animal that is in pain when walking will not see any noticeable difference in the way it moves until that pain is properly managed. NSAIDs and anti-inflammatories are often prescribed to dogs with arthritis and joint pain. A mobility aid or dog wheelchair will not help a dog in pain, it is meant to support the dog and help it walk. Any dog showing signs of pain should be seen by their veterinarian immediately.
Provide support
A dog’s inability to walk or carry weight on its hind legs may be the most extreme example of loss of mobility in a pet. But even an older pet with severe joint pain or a back injury may struggle to walk. Fortunately, a dog mobility cart is easy to use and readily available. Feel free to use a wheelchair or support harness. Your dog does not need to be paralyzed to benefit.
Many dogs only rely on a dog wheelchair on “bad days” or when recovering from an injury. The benefits of providing your dog with a mobility aid go far beyond a walking aid. An older puppy who stumbles or suddenly loses his balance may need support to stand and walk without falling. A harness may only be necessary when your dog needs help on stairs or to get out quickly. Feel free to use these types of mobility aids. An active dog is a happy dog. If giving your dog extra support makes his life (and yours) easier, take the leap and do it.
Joint supplement
Joint health is essential to a dog’s overall health. It’s never too late (or too early!) for a dog to take a joint supplement. Introducing a joint supplement to help young dogs grow and develop their joints. For older pets, a joint supplement helps stiff joints and supports a dog’s hips and joints to keep them comfortable and mobile. What makes a good joint supplement? A good quality dog joint supplement should promote mobility, help stiff joints, and support a dog’s joint structure.
Ingredients to look for in a canine joint supplement:
- Green lipped mussel – soothes stiff joints
- Glucosamine – one of the main building blocks for cartilage formation
- Vitamins C and E – help maintain joint mobility
- Manganese – supports collagen formation in cartilage
- Hyaluronic acid – lubricates and cushions the joints
Together, these ingredients help improve a dog’s mobility, relieve discomfort, and support a dog’s joint health.
physical therapy
The benefits of regular, structured exercise are obvious. Older dogs lose muscle mass, flexibility and loss of leg strength. Continuous exercise can combat these symptoms, helping a dog maintain and even rebuild strength. Hydrotherapy and therapeutic swimming are excellent low-impact exercises. The buoyancy of water makes it easier for an older dog to move around, especially those with joint problems. The water creates a natural resistance that allows the dog to work on his strength.
Adam Gibbons, president of the National Association of Registered Hydrotherapists says, “Water can also be used as a means to support dogs in a non-supportive or partially supportive environment to allow movement that would not be possible on land, perhaps due to weakness or injury.
In conclusion
There isn’t just one step, a panacea to help an older dog improve their mobility. Many different factors and treatments will play a part in helping a dog walk well into retirement age. Work with your pet professional to determine the best treatment plan for your puppy.
