Not only can regular exercise help an arthritic pet but it is also important for general health, weight management and mental health.
The amount of exercise your pet needs will depend on your pets age, breed and general health. Active working dog breeds will require at least 30min of strenuous exercise daily. For smaller indoor dogs and cats it’s important to realize that if left to their own devices they will not get enough exercise. It is often necessary to set aside some time to actively play with them. This is also very therapeutic for their human companions as well. The same applies to dogs and cats that have access to the back yard. Don’t assume that they will get enough exercise without some encouragement.
Don’t forget that older pets and pets with medical conditions including those with arthritis also need exercise. The old adage “use it or lose it” applies especially to muscle tone and strength and joint mobility.
Interestingly improved muscle mass & tone have been shown to reduce joint pain experienced in people with arthritis in several studies.
