Exercising Older Dogs Safely in Cold Weather: 7 Essential Tips

Walking your dog in cold weather can be challenging, especially when your furry friend is older. Dogs around seven years and older often feel the chill more deeply, experience stiffness, and are more prone to injuries during winter walks. With the right care and precautions, you can keep your senior dog active and safe, boosting their health and happiness through the colder months.

In this guide, we share seven essential tips on how to exercise older dogs safely in cold, wet, and icy conditions commonly found in UK winters. From protecting their paws to warming up muscles, these steps are designed with your dog's wellbeing in mind.

1. Keep Your Dog Warm with Appropriate Clothing

Older dogs often lose some natural insulation and tolerance to cold. If your dog lacks a thick winter coat or is a breed prone to feeling cold, invest in a warm, waterproof dog coat to retain body heat. It can make walks more enjoyable and reduce reluctance to go outside in harsh weather. You can find puppies or adult dogs that benefit from such accessories.

2. Protect Their Paws from Cold and Hazards

Paw pads of older dogs can become dry or cracked from ice, salt, and cold pavements. Consider using waterproof dog booties if your dog tolerates them, or apply paw wax which protects and improves traction on slippery surfaces. After walks, check paws for cuts, ice balls, or soreness, removing any debris that may cause discomfort or injury.

3. Warm-Up Muscles Before Strenuous Activity

Gentle walking for the first few minutes helps loosen your dog's stiff joints and muscles, preparing their body for more active play or off-lead time. This warm-up is especially important for older dogs as cold weather tightens muscles and increases injury risk. Allow extra time for your senior dog to get warmed up gradually.

4. Choose Safe, Familiar Routes and Watch for Hidden Hazards

Snow and ice might disguise uneven terrain, sharp objects, or frozen puddles, presenting fall or injury risks. Stick to familiar paths where you know the ground condition well and can anticipate hazards. Avoid letting your dog off the lead in uncertain areas to keep them safe.

5. Moderate High-Impact Activities

While many senior dogs enjoy running and playing, be mindful of their reduced agility and slower reaction times in slippery or hard surfaces. Limit jumping and fast sprints on frozen or hard ground to prevent muscle strains, sprains or slips that can result in painful injuries.

6. Gradually Cool Down at Walk’s End

Spend the last 10 minutes of your walk walking gently on a lead to help your dog’s heart rate normalize and muscles relax. This cooldown phase reduces stiffness and muscle aches that can appear the following day, supporting your dog's overall joint health.

7. Dry and Warm Your Dog Thoroughly After Walks

Once home, remove coats and booties, drying off any wet fur carefully to avoid chills. Clean their paws to remove salt and grit, and offer lukewarm water to help them rehydrate. Feed them once they are calm and sufficiently recuperated, ensuring they don’t eat too soon after exercise to aid digestion and comfort.

Indoor Exercise Alternatives for Harsh Weather

If severe cold, ice, or wet weather prevent you from walking outside, engage your older dog with indoor enrichment. Activities like gentle fetch games, puzzle toys, or teaching new tricks can stimulate their mind and keep muscles moving without exposure to harsh conditions.

Remember, regular but gentle exercise is key to helping senior dogs maintain muscle tone, joint mobility, and mental wellbeing. Always watch for signs of discomfort, fatigue or cold stress, and consult your vet to adapt your dog's exercise routine to any health needs or pre-existing conditions.

By thoughtfully modifying the way you exercise your older dog in cold weather, you’ll help them enjoy a long, happy, and active life regardless of the season.