Low-Impact Workouts for Senior Dogs

As dogs age they can start to develop joint issues that may limit their ability to run and jump, but this doesn’t mean senior dogs shouldn’t still receive exercise. High-impact workouts can cause added stress to a dog’s joints, but thankfully there are plenty of low-impact exercise options that you can do with your dog.

Before beginning any type of exercise with your senior dog, a slow warm-up can be beneficial. Walking your dog around the house, in the yard, or slowly down the street can help get your dog’s muscles moving and prepare them for more exercise. A nice walk on the grass instead of the pavement is a great low-impact exercise in and of itself, but for a little more of a workout, try encouraging your dog to walk on and off of the curb from the street to the driveway. This sloping step isn’t as high-impact as walking up and down steps, but it still helps to engage more of your dog’s muscles without the added impact on its joints.

Swimming is another low-impact option that a lot of dogs enjoy during warm weather. For small dogs, baby pools are an alternative to a large swimming pool, river, pond, or calm lake. Doing the doggy paddle helps exercise your dog’s muscles without putting as much impact on their joints – plus, swimming can be a great exercise for dogs that aren’t motivated to walk.

Equipment can also be purchased to do some at-home, low-impact exercises with your senior dog. Exercise balls, various foam pads to stand on and step over, Bosu® balls, inflatable discs, and other rehabilitation devices are commonly used to help dogs with balance and strength. Some canine rehabilitation centers with this equipment even offer sessions for senior dogs and have underwater treadmills to utilize, too.

Finally, passive range of motion (PROM) exercises can easily be done at home without any equipment. One such exercise involves gently moving your dog’s hind legs, one at a time, in a circular motion as though they are pedaling a bicycle. It can even be done with your dog standing up or lying down. All of these exercises and more can be used alongside joint supplements such as Cosequin® Senior. You can help make a big impact on your senior dog’s health and well-being by keeping your pet moving with low-impact workouts.