Exercise Tips for Older Dogs

Your pup is always your pup, even when they’re looking a bit long in the tooth. But the years pass and suddenly, the hard part isn’t getting them off the sofa – it’s getting them on.

Keep those toe beans active with this guide on exercise tips for senior dogs.

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What is considered a senior dog?

According to BSAVA, a dog is considered old at 12 and a half years of age depending on the breed. There’s a common misconception that every year of a dog’s life is like seven of our own. But it can be more than that – especially with smaller dogs.

While the maths isn’t an exact science, the first two years of a small dog's life roughly equate to 12.5 human years. This lowers to 10.5 for a medium dog and nine for large dogs. Safe to say, they age a lot faster than we do.

How much exercise does a senior dog need?

When your dog is young, it can feel like the hard part is keeping up. But as they get on in years, their limits become more apparent. According to PetMD, several factors in addition to age impact the amount of exercise a senior dog needs, including:

Your dog’s breed and size.
Your dog’s current level of mobility.
Your dog’s current and previous medical history, including injuries or conditions.
Your day-to-day lifestyle.

If your old dog shows no sign of pain while exercising, then daily activity is probably fine. However, you should get a primary opinion from a vet – they may suggest alternate exercises or limit certain movements based on your dog’s unique history.

Exercise benefits for senior dogs

It’s important to get your old pup’s paws-a-pattering – and not just to prevent obesity and the health problems it brings. Exercise benefits for senior dogs fall into two categories:

Musculoskeletal benefits. Movement and exercise yield positive benefits on a senior dog’s ligaments, muscles, tendons and joints. Exercise keeps your dog’s body healthy and can appear to “slow down” the effects of old age. You’re only as old as you feel, and that’s true for dogs, too.
Cognitive benefits. When a dog is bored, they can start to demonstrate destructive behaviour – suddenly, everything is a chew toy. But exercise can stimulate the mind, benefit cognitive function and reduce stress and anxiety.

Safe workouts for older dogs

Dogs can be inquisitive and endearingly nosy. If you’re an avid home exerciser, you may notice your dog trying to get involved with your workouts. Sadly, those aren’t the type of exercises you want to use for senior dogs – no matter how enthusiastic they are about your yoga routine.

With that said, there’s a lot more they can do than walk and play fetch:

Walking

Even when your dog gets older and slower, they never outgrow their love for walks. It’s important to take things gently and try to consider the weather. Extreme temperatures or difficult walking conditions are more taxing for older dogs.
While they might not be able to tackle the terrain as they did when they were pups, senior dogs get many benefits from walking, such as:

Maintaining muscle and bone density/strength.
Combating age-related conditions such as arthritis (joint health) or obesity.
Provides mental stimulation.
Improves digestion and urinary health.

Remember that walking is only beneficial if you listen to your dog and don’t push them past their limits. A walk can be as simple as strolling down a familiar route and giving them things to explore and sniff at.

If walking isn’t an option for your senior dog, there’s still plenty you can do to get their tail wagging.

Swimming

Taking your pup paddling can make a big splash on their physical and mental health. Not only is it great exercise, but it’s also kind on your senior dog’s joints. So, those old bones won’t feel the burden as much.

If swimming is the right choice for you and your old dog, remember to consider the environment. If a lake has high sides, your dog might struggle to clamber out. Ensure there are safe, easy ways for your dog to enter and exit the water.

When your dog is done swimming, ensure they’re dried off right away – you don’t want them getting too cold.

Training

You might think your senior dog is past training – they’ve done their time at doggy bootcamp and are now a seasoned veteran. That may be true, but training doesn’t have to end there.

With dog training, you can keep your senior dog moving with simple, stimulating tasks that excite their senses and keep them engaged.

It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks, or to positively reinforce known ones. Using treats can help bring a bit of excitement to your training but try not to overfeed your senior dog with high-calorie options. Try low-calorie dog treats, or dog-friendly healthy fruits and veggies.

Playing

Playtime isn’t reserved for pups and your dog will still enjoy the same games they played back then. Their pace might have slowed down, but you might appreciate that if you’ve grown older together.

Try to slow games down and make them gentler – older dogs are more likely to injure themselves while jumping, twisting or lunging for toys.

If you want something slower, or in addition to physical games, you could try scent games. These are games where a dog uses its sense of smell to find hidden toys, treats or people. Not only do these get your dog moving, but they can also encourage them to use their senses and engage their brain.

And remember, exercise is hungry work. Just like us, if your dog’s exercising more, they may need more calories in to match those calories being spent.

Consider existing conditions

Your dog’s old bones carry a story. Their unique medical history (and even their individual preferences and personalities) will need a personalised approach.

As dogs grow in years, they can develop health conditions that make some activities harder than others, including:

CDS (Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome)
Deafness or blindness
Joint and mobility issues (arthritis)
Heart issues

Before you exercise your dog, pay a visit to your vet and get a recommendation. They should be able to advise on what exercise is appropriate for your dog, based on their physical condition, medical history, and any bloodwork. For example, a dog with arthritis might benefit from swimming over long hikes.

Exercises for older dogs to improve mobility

There are many exercises for older dogs to improve mobility issues – depending on the type of mobility impairment they have.

Potential mobility issues include (but aren’t limited to):

Joint and skeletal issues, such as arthritis.
Degenerative joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis.
Age-related decline, such as general weakness or a loss of coordination.
Injury-related trauma and obesity.
Infection-related trauma or injury.

Depending on the level of mobility your dog already possesses, walking, swimming, stretching and core exercises are usually safe workouts for older dogs.

For senior dogs, you want to focus on low-impact exercises – so, if they can walk, then short jaunts on a flat surface could be ideal. We’re not the only ones who benefit from a bit of massage therapy, you can always speak to your vet regarding physiotherapy to see if you can get their furry legs moving a bit easier.

Your pooch may also benefit from warming up and stretching. You won’t catch them doing lunges, but stretching can do wonders for your pooch’s joint health and protect them from incurring injuries due to stiff joints.

Should you exercise an older dog with arthritis?

Yes, you should exercise an older dog with arthritis – but the exercise should be low impact. Arthritis is one of the most common mobility issues affecting dogs in UK, according to Chalkland Vets. While it may limit your pup, it doesn’t have to stop them entirely, and they can still enjoy an active life.

How to exercise an older dog with arthritis

Choosing low-impact exercises for senior dogs with arthritis is an important way to keep them active, without putting unnecessary strain on their joints. That means you need to focus on gentle, flat walks, swimming or playtime with soft toys instead.

Additionally, it’s recommended that you stretch them before walking or playing. Some stretch routines could include:

Bicycle kicks. This movement can limber up your dog’s hind legs, and the motion is exactly as you would imagine. Just support the knee with one hand, the paw with the other, and then move the legs forward and backward with a pedalling movement.
Shoulder extensions. Gently guide your dog’s shoulders side to side, and back to front. You can rest them on their side while you do this.
Sit-to-stand routines. In this routine, you simply get your dog to move from a sitting position to standing, to stretch the hips and knees.
Downward-facing dog. To do this routine, you want to gently assist your dog into a “downward-facing dog” position. Ease their chest to the ground, while they stretch out their front legs. This should stretch out the groin muscles.

Before you attempt any of these stretches, get support from your vet or check for professional guidance on how to execute them safely.

Indoor activities to keep senior dogs active

Dogs love to be outdoors, but your aging pup might struggle to get outside. That doesn’t mean they can’t exercise though – you’re just going to have to get creative.

Here are some indoor activities to keep senior dogs active:

Scent games. Get your dog to locate hidden treats, toys, people or scents with only the power of their snout.
Puzzle toys. Dog puzzle toys engage your dog’s mind, giving them a problem to solve with a treat hidden inside. Just be mindful of what treats you put in.
Fetch. Playing this classic isn’t for the outdoors only – play a gentle game indoors and get your old dog moving.
Tug of war. If you have enough space, tug of war can be an excellent game to play – just remember to be gentle.
Obstacle course. Set up an indoor obstacle course to exercise your dog’s mobility and agility – just avoid any high-impact challenges.
Playdate. Dogs love to socialise, so why not bring a buddy over so they can play together?
Paddling pool. Getting a paddling pool for your pup to splash around in can be a great, low-impact way to get them active without going any further than your back garden.

Final thoughts

While exercise may become harder over time, it’s still an essential part of your dog’s life. That’s why it’s important to consider safe workouts for older dogs that improve mobility and aid cognitive function.

If you’re aware of your old dog’s health and limits, dog fitness for seniors isn’t as tricky as it might seem. Regular check-ins with your vet, as well as gentle, indoor games and a healthy bit of stretching can help your dog get the exercise they need.

So, what are you waiting for? There are so many adventures still to be had – even if your time together needs to look a bit different from here on out.

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FAQs

Is swimming good for senior dogs?

Yes, swimming is considered a good, low-impact exercise for senior dogs. It’s important to take them swimming in accessible dog-friendly locations – so avoid steep slopes or awkward steps.

How much exercise is too much for an old dog?

Your old dog’s limits will differ from another’s, based on their age, breed and medical history. As a general rule, listen to your dog and watch for signs that they may be overexerting themselves.

How do I make my old dog more active?

If an old dog sits around, they’ll slowly decline in activity levels. As well as walking and exercising your dog, you could look at indoor activities that engage them such as toys, games or even obstacle courses.

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