YuMOVE
We’re counting down to Crufts 2024! To celebrate canine athletes and the amazing things they can do, we wanted to talk about the importance of joint care in active dogs and how you can support them!
Canine athletes perform intense activities which usually involve climbing, twisting, running, and jumping. This type of high-level exercise can put additional strain or pressure on joints, which can lead to stiffness.
Stiffness can occur when there is reduced cushioning and lubrication in the joints. Dogs can also experience joint stiffness after exercise, including playtime, so for an especially active dog, like a canine athlete, you should understand what stiffness can look like and how to maintain their joints.
What are the signs of stiffness?
Reluctance to move or stiff movements
Slowing down on walks
Reduced exercise leading to weight gain
Difficulty using the stairs or jumping up
Behavioural changes (e.g irritability, snapping, lethargy)
Whimpering or not wanting to be touched
Preferring to lay down over sitting/standing
If you start to see any of the signs above, you should consult your vet as soon as possible.
Why is it important to support your active dog’s joints? Anthony Clarke, one of the UK’s top agility trainers and YuMOVE Global Ambassador said in an interview with us:
“Agility is a high-impact sport, so a dog needs to be able to weight-shift between the joints efficiently. With the weaving poles, for example, they’re using every joint and every muscle in their body to be able to get through them, so maintaining healthy joints is vital.”
Supporting your dog’s active joints can help with stiffness, so these are our four top tips to support your active dog’s joints…
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- Keep your dog at an ideal weight for their individual size and breed.
- Find the right amount of exercise for your dog – too little or too much exercise can strain your dog’s joints and impact stiffness.
- Ensure they get proper rest after exercise or playtime.
- Give them a high-quality joint supplement.
Adding a specially formulated joint supplement to your dog’s daily routine and diet can help to support their joints, especially if you have an active dog. Make sure to choose a supplement that contains high-quality ingredients for supporting joint structure and mobility, such as Lipped Mussel, Hyaluronic Acid, and Glucosamine. With the additional strain from canine athletics, a joint supplement can provide great support for active joints!
If you want to find out more about YuMOVE or learn more of our top tips, head over to the Health Guides section on our website and don’t forget to check out our product ranges!
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