Does Too Much Exercise Cause Dog Arthritis?

Should you worry that exercising your pet too much may result in dog arthritis? This question relating to the connection between exercise and arthritis is not limited to just canines. The condition of osteo-arthritis is has the same symptoms and causes as the same disease which afflicts humans. In both humans and dogs, the joint disease is highly genetic.

This is not to say that there may be aggravating circumstances that should be avoided when dealing with dog arthritis. There are several things that owners should be concerned about which they can actually do something about. For instance, dogs who are overweight are likely to have more problems with osteoarthritis later in their life.

But what about exercise? Could it lead healthy dogs to developing the joint problem? As stated above, arthritis is caused by a genetic problem. Although almost all dogs will develop it at some point in their lives, some breeds and some specific dogs will suffer more than others because of genetics.

In other words, if genetics dictates that a canine will develop joint arthritis as he or she ages, it will occur. There is no cure or stopping the disease. Once it manifests itself, it will only progress and there is nothing that will eliminate it from the joints. Therefore, it is a fact that exercise does not cause arthritic conditions.

That being said, it is important to note that exercise does play a part in how severe the symptoms may be for the animal. Older dogs that exercise too much or are allowed to play too roughly can definitely have ill effects as a result of the excessive exercising. Therefore, it is important for owners of pets with this medical condition to understand how important it is to monitor an older canine's activity so as eliminate any issues caused by too much exercise.

At the opposite end of the spectrum are the animals that get little or no exercise as they age and develop dog arthritis. With the proper amount of walking each day, the pet will maintain proper muscle tone. This is vital for the stability of the joints. The disease is especially a problem in the hips of many dogs. The muscles there in the hips are important for stabilizing those joints. Weak muscles leave the area vulnerable to the effects of arthritic disease.

In closing, each dog is different with respect to how arthritis develops, its severity, and how much exercise is actually required for optimal health. It's vital for pet owners to be very in tune with their specific dog's needs and monitor them as the disease progresses.

Steve Weber is a dog lover who has plenty of experience with
canine arthritis disease and other dog related issues. At his web site, Cactus Canyon,
Steve has many articles and videos that help pet owners dealing with dog joint
problems. The site focuses on using all natural glucosamine products like
synflex for dogs in treating osteoarthritis.