Our senior pets often experience a “shrinking world” with fewer walks and opportunities to get out of the house. This often leads to weight gain, altered movement patterns and painful postures. not only is it important to keep your senior pet moving to maintain strength and flexibility, joint health and muscle tone, but it keeps their minds sharper and better able to focus. The sights, sounds, and smells from an outdoor walk cannot be beat to keep your pet healthy in mind, body and spirit.

Start with 5 minutes a day for 3 weeks. Increase as directed at time of healthy pet weight check with your veterinarian every 3 weeks.

Slow walks

Swimming in your pool or the Canine Fitness Center 

Slow leash walks through a simple obstacle course.

If you choose outside exercise, make sure the weather is suitable for the type of exercise you’re doing. Remember that dogs can suffer from heatstroke (and frostbite) and you must especially be careful about older dogs. Bring along small chewy treats to reward good behavior, especially if you’ll be encountering other pets or traffic.