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Exercising Your Senior Dog Doesn’t Need To Be Hard Work

Regular exercise should be a part of every senior dog’s routine. But knowing the right amount of activity your senior dog needs can be tricky. As dogs age, they usually become less active, which may lead to weight gain and other health issues. As the parent of an older dog, it’s up to you to keep your dog on the go!

Learning How to Exercise with Your Older Dog

Did you know?

It’s difficult to define the point at which a dog can be classified as “senior” since there is a wide variation in the life expectancy of different breeds
Generally, medium- and small- breed dogs tend to live the longest, even up to 17 or 18 years
Giant breeds tend to have a much shorter life expectancy, often only living for 7 or 8 years
As a dog ages, there is a tendency for lean tissue to decrease while body fat usually increases
Exercise can help maintain a healthy body weight and delay deterioration of senior dog joints

Tips to Keeping Your Senior Dog Active

Evidence suggests that as dogs age, their energy requirements tend to decrease. In fact, it can decrease by around 20 percent in old age. Fortunately, keeping your senior dog active can be easy with the following ideas:

Play a good game of fetch
Get creative with games – outdoor play is perfect when the temperature cooperates, but don’t let your senior dog play in a humid climate for too long
Take a walk together – it’s good for both you and your dog
Introduce a new toy – everyone loves a present

It’s a good idea to discuss your senior dog’s exercise plan with your veterinarian, especially if you’re concerned he may be getting too much or too little play time. Your veterinarian will be able to guide you based on your senior dog’s current weight and health conditions. The most important thing to remember is that exercise with a dog of any age should be fun. And remember to get creative with activities so neither of you become bored.

NUTRO^® natural senior dog food formulas deliver high quality ingredients designed to give your dog complete and balanced nutrition. Be sure to check out our Feeding Guidelines for Older Dogs and use an 8oz cup as indicated to ensure your dog is getting the right portions for his size.