| The mistake that I see many dog owners make is that | | | | dogs. For example, exercising on flat even ground as |
| they are looking for a tablet, drug or supplement to | | | | compared to hilly ground is going to be kinder to all the |
| cure a condition that currently cannot be cured. In most | | | | joints. |
| situations, arthritis in dogs can be managed | | | | Exercise within the capability of your pet. This will be |
| successfully and your vet will guide you on when and | | | | trial and error as osteoarthritis is a very variable |
| if medication is necessary. | | | | condition and what is ok for one patient may not be |
| Don't be looking for the herbal remedy or miracle | | | | suitable for another. Don't exercise your arthritic dog to |
| supplement that will cure your pet's arthritis before you | | | | a level that aggravates their signs and symptoms. My |
| have reviewed their weight and exercise regimes. By | | | | general recommendation as a starting point is 15-20 |
| focusing on some relatively simple steps, it is highly | | | | minutes, once or twice daily mainly on the lead with |
| likely that you will have a dramatic effect on your | | | | some off lead running for part of the time. |
| dog's mobility and quality of life. | | | | Swimming is a great exercise for dogs with arthritis, as |
| Back to basics! - Lifestyle modifications | | | | the load-bearing on the joints is reduced. What I am |
| Weight Control | | | | talking about here is perhaps best thought of as |
| It is essential that your dog gets down to an | | | | recreational swimming. Visit a local purpose-built dog |
| appropriate body weight. I can't emphasise this enough. | | | | swimming pool. Your vet will know where one is - |
| In people, it is not proven that being overweight will | | | | there may even be one at their practice. Some |
| cause arthritis - it may be one factor that could | | | | facilities may have a water walker, which is a treadmill |
| contribute in some patients. However, being | | | | in a water tank. These facilities allow for safe, |
| overweight will definitely make your symptoms worse | | | | controlled exercise. Swimming and water walking gives |
| and increase your dependency on medications to | | | | your pet the opportunity to do a fat burning or cardio |
| control pain. These medications can have unwanted | | | | work out. |
| side effects. Likewise, if your pet is overweight, weight | | | | Some form of water-based activity like these can be |
| control is a vital part of successfully managing their | | | | of great benefit to the dog with arthritis caught up in |
| arthritis. It is a simple (but not easy) strategy that is | | | | the weight/pain cycle - they don't exercise because it |
| very likely to reduce joint pain in your dog and their | | | | makes their joint pain worse. They tend to get fatter |
| dependency on medication. | | | | and heavier which then exacerbates the joint pain and |
| I said not easy. In my experience, it is no easier to get | | | | so they are even less tolerant of exercise and the |
| your dog to lose weight than it is for you to do it for | | | | cycle continues in a negative direction. |
| yourself. One of the major problems with getting a dog | | | | Swimming combined with good dietary advice can help |
| down to the correct weight is getting you, the pet | | | | to turn this around. Again, discuss it with your vet and |
| owner to realize that your pet is overweight. | | | | make sure they are keeping an eye on your arthritic |
| Dogs don't show excess body weight like we do. | | | | dog, particularly in the early stages to ensure that the |
| Don't be looking for a spare tire round their waist or a | | | | programme is having a beneficial effect and not |
| double chin! Please listen to your vet or veterinary | | | | making the situation worse. |
| nurse on this one. They will advise you on if your dog | | | | A word of caution. If your pet is elderly, hasn't been |
| is overweight or not. They will do this by comparing | | | | particularly active or has an additional known medical |
| your dog's current weight (usually in kilograms) to an | | | | condition then take them for a general health check |
| optimal range for their breed. They will also feel over | | | | with your vet prior to commencing an exercise |
| your dog's ribs to assess fat cover. They know what | | | | programme. Sometimes a short course or intermittent |
| they are doing - please listen to them and take their | | | | use of an anti-inflammatory drug will be required to |
| advice on how to reduce your dog's weight safely if | | | | settle joint discomfort and allow your dog to exercise |
| indeed your pet is significantly overweight. | | | | more comfortably. |
| Osteoarthritis-Friendly Exercise | | | | Once these measures are in place then, and only then, |
| Keeping active is important to prevent joints becoming | | | | should we look at medication and supplements. |
| stiff. Certain types of exercise are better for arthritic | | | | |