Our canine companions can experience stiffness within their joints no matter their age or size. There are various ways that you can support your dog’s joints, from exercising them the right amount to helpful supplements that support normal mobility. With the help of our friends at Lintbells, we’ve put together our top tips for joint care throughout all of the different stages of your dog’s life.

Joint care for puppies

Welcoming a new puppy into your family home is a wonderful time but, whilst you were smarting up on how to care for your new furry friend, you may not have uncovered how to care for your new puppy’s growing joints. As different breeds grow at different rates, it’s always best to get advice from your puppy’s rescue centre, breeder, or vet.

The key thing to remember is to not go overboard with their exercise. According to the Kennel Club, your puppy should be taken for walks up to twice a day and stick to a ‘5-minutes-per-month’ rule. This means that 2-month-old puppies should be walked for 10 minutes at a time, increasing to 15 minutes when they reach 3 months old. Whilst your pup is still receiving their vaccinations, they should only be walked in the garden. Once all of their vaccinations are complete, they can venture to more foreign terrain – but it is important to stick to the minute/month rule. After 6 months, you’ll be able to take your pup for 30-minute walks, building up to 1 hour by their 1st birthday.

In addition to their daily walks, it’s worth being mindful of other exercise that your puppy is engaging in. Jumping isn’t a good idea for dogs that are under 12 months old, as this may put a strain on their growing joints. Rough play with older or larger dogs should also be restricted to avoid accidental injuries. Supplements, such as YuMOVE Active Dog, can help to support your puppy’s healthy joints.

Joint care for adolescent dogs

If your pooch accompanies you on runs or takes part in activities such as CaniCross, Agility, or Flyball, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on their joints. Make sure that they are old enough for the level of exercise they are engaging in – doing too much too soon may put a serious strain on their joints. The Kennel Club only allows dogs that are older than 18 months to enter agility competitions, which is a good indicator to determine how much exercise your pup should be participating in. If you want to introduce extra activities into your dog’s life from a young age, you should start gentle. Focusing on several shorter training sessions rather than one long one is a great plan, as this increases the risk of injury as well as being more fun for your dog. YuMOVE Active Dog is a handy supplement to add to your dog’s diet, especially if they are proving to be quite the athlete.

Joint care for young dogs who seem stiff

Younger dogs may experience stiffness with their joints too. That’s not to say that your pooch can’t have a great quality of life – they might just need a little bit more support.

There are many breeds that you should keep an eye on, such as the Labrador, Old English Sheepdog, Golden Retriever, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, Dachshund, Newfoundland, Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Samoyed, and Mastiff. It’s important to be aware of the signs of stiff joints in the case that your dog needs some extra support. These signs can include lagging behind on walks, reluctance to walk, jump, and play, sleeping more, seeming stiff, and having trouble getting up after resting. If you do spot any of these signs, you should take your pooch to the vet for a check-up. Your vet will be able to determine what’s going on, suggest ways in which you can modify your dog’s routine, and prescribe them any necessary medication.

Other things to consider include hydrotherapy, which can help to support the muscle around their joints in a low-impact way, and acupuncture, which many vets recommend alongside conventional medication. If your pooch has a diagnosed joint problem, it’s worth talking to your vet about YuMOVE ADVANCE, a vet-only supplement that supports your dog’s joint structure.

Joint care for working dogs

If your dog is career driven, they might benefit from some extra joint support. Whether they’re a sniffer dog, a sheepdog, or assist you in the fields all day, they need to be fit for the job at hand. Alongside a sturdy diet and a warm, comfortable place to rest up, working dogs require a fitness routine at the start of each season to prepare their joints. Supplements can be a great idea for working dogs, with YuMOVE Working Dog supporting mobility and joint health. It also supports your dog’s digestion, supporting their energy and stamina to carry out their daily duties.

Joint care for aging dogs

Thankfully, there is a lot that you can if your elderly dog’s joints seem stiff. It’s important to keep them active – just because they’ve reached old age doesn’t mean that they won’t benefit from their daily walks. They may prefer to take a slower pace than they once used to, but daily exercise is vital to support their joints and quality of life. It’s worth considering taking shorter walks or mixing up the activities that you do together. Whatever you can do to keep your older dog active (without overdoing it) is a great way to support their aging joints. If you have any concerns over your dog’s mobility, your vet should be your first port of call to make sure everything is okay.

Our articles are not a replacement for face-to-face vet advice. It’s important to consult with your vet on a regular basis to raise any pet concerns that you may have.