How Much Exercise Should a Dog With Osteoarthritis Do?
Exercise is an important part of managing canine osteoarthritis. The right amount of movement can help maintain joint mobility, reduce muscle loss, improve strength and support a dog’s confidence with everyday activities.
However, dogs with osteoarthritis do not all require the same exercise program. Their needs can vary according to pain, strength, body condition, affected joints and overall mobility.
What is the Canine Osteoarthritis Exercise Grade Chart?
The Canine Osteoarthritis Exercise Grade Chart is a practical guide that classifies a dog’s comfortable exercise ability from Grade 0 to Grade 10.
It considers:
Walking and trotting tolerance
On-lead or off-lead activity
Hills and stairs
Play and jumping
The need for a harness, sling or other assistance
Recommended daily exercise duration
Lower grade numbers represent greater exercise capacity. Higher grade numbers indicate that more restriction, supervision or physical assistance may be required.
Why is controlled exercise important?
Appropriately prescribed exercise may help:
Maintain joint range of motion
Improve muscle strength
Reduce muscle wasting
Support balance and coordination
Improve tolerance for walking and daily activities
Assist with weight management
Maintain quality of life
Exercise should be controlled, consistent and comfortable. Several shorter sessions are often better tolerated than one long walk.
Signs your dog may be doing too much
Reduce the exercise and seek professional advice if your dog develops:
Increased limping
Slower or more difficult movement
Reluctance to continue walking
Difficulty rising after exercise
Increased panting or fatigue
Soreness later that day or the following morning
Reduced willingness to use stairs, jump or play
Your dog should not need to “push through” pain to become stronger.
How quickly should exercise progress?
Progress should be gradual. A dog should remain comfortable at their current exercise level before the duration, terrain or difficulty is increased.
Exercise may need to be reduced during an osteoarthritis flare-up. Medication and pain management should be discussed with the dog’s treating veterinarian.
The Exercise Grade Chart provides general guidance and does not replace an individual veterinary or canine physiotherapy assessment.
Canine osteoarthritis rehabilitation in Penrith
At Move2Perform Physiotherapy Clinic, we assess each dog’s gait, posture, joint mobility, strength, balance and functional exercise tolerance. We then develop an individual rehabilitation program based on the dog’s current needs and goals.
Treatment may include controlled exercise, progressive strengthening, balance activities, manual therapy, laser therapy, home modifications and hydrotherapy where appropriate.
If your dog is slowing down, becoming stiff or having difficulty with everyday activities, an individual assessment can help determine an appropriate and comfortable starting point.
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