The Best Exercises for Dogs With Arthritis
How Therapeutic Exercise Helps Reduce Pain, Build Strength, and Improve Mobility
By Dr. Lisa Mason, DVM, CCRT, CVA, CVPP
One of the most common things I hear from pet owners after their dog is diagnosed with arthritis is:
"Should I still exercise my dog, or will exercise make the arthritis worse?"
It is an excellent question—and one that is surrounded by a lot of confusion.
Many owners understandably worry that movement will cause more damage to an already painful joint. They may begin shortening walks, limiting play, or avoiding activities their dog enjoys because they are afraid of making things worse.
The truth is that appropriate exercise is one of the most important treatments we have for dogs with arthritis.
The key word is appropriate.
Arthritic dogs do not benefit from simply being told to "go exercise more." They benefit from a carefully designed plan that considers their arthritis stage, pain level, muscle strength, body condition, lifestyle, and individual goals.
As a veterinarian specializing in rehabilitation and pain management, I often tell families that exercise is medicine—but just like medication, the dose matters.
Too little exercise can allow muscles to weaken and joints to become less supported.
Too much of the wrong type of exercise can increase discomfort.
The goal is to find the right balance: enough movement to improve strength and mobility without overwhelming the body.
At Florida Veterinary Rehabilitation, one of the most rewarding parts of my work is helping dogs rediscover movement. Sometimes that means a senior dog walking comfortably around the neighborhood again. Sometimes it means a sporting dog returning to activity safely. Sometimes it simply means a dog can stand up from the floor more easily and participate more fully with their family.
Exercise is not about making dogs do more.
It is about helping them move better.
Why Exercise Is So Important for Dogs With Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is often thought of as a problem with the joints alone, but arthritis affects the entire body.
When a joint becomes painful, dogs naturally change the way they move.
They may:
Shift weight away from the painful limb
Walk differently
Avoid stairs
Stop jumping
Play less
Sleep more
Lose muscle mass
These changes are protective at first. Your dog is trying to avoid discomfort.
However, over time, reduced activity creates additional problems.
Less movement leads to:
Muscle loss
Reduced joint support
Decreased flexibility
Poor balance
Weight gain
Lower endurance
This creates a cycle:
Pain → Less movement → Muscle loss → Increased joint stress → More pain
Appropriate exercise helps interrupt this cycle.
By improving strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance, we can help dogs move more efficiently and reduce the stress placed on painful joints.
Exercise Does Not Wear Out Arthritic Joints
A common concern I hear is:
"If my dog has arthritis, won't exercise make the joint worse?"
The answer depends on the type of exercise.
High-impact, repetitive activities that exceed a dog's current ability may increase discomfort.
However, controlled exercise is beneficial.
Healthy movement helps:
Maintain muscle strength
Muscles support and stabilize joints. Strong muscles help decrease the amount of stress placed directly on arthritic areas.
Improve joint mobility
Joints are designed to move. Controlled motion helps maintain flexibility and prevents stiffness.
Support healthy weight
Exercise helps maintain an appropriate body condition, which is one of the most powerful tools we have for managing arthritis.
Improve confidence
Many dogs with arthritis become hesitant because movement has become uncomfortable. A structured exercise program helps rebuild trust in their bodies.
Improve quality of life
Dogs are meant to move, explore, sniff, play, and interact with their environment. Maintaining mobility supports both physical and emotional well-being.
The Most Important Rule: Exercise Should Match the Dog
There is no single "best exercise" for every arthritic dog.
A 3-year-old Labrador recovering from a cruciate injury and a 14-year-old terrier with advanced arthritis may both have joint disease, but their exercise plans should look completely different.
When creating an exercise plan, I consider:
Arthritis stage
Dogs with early arthritis may focus on prevention and maintaining strength.
Dogs with more advanced arthritis may need exercises focused on comfort, function, and preserving independence.
(Learn more: Understanding the Stages of Arthritis in Dogs)
Pain level
A dog who is painful at rest needs a different approach than a dog who is comfortable but has lost strength.
Muscle condition
Muscle loss is one of the most important factors affecting mobility.
A dog with weak hind limbs may need targeted strengthening exercises.
Body condition
Extra weight increases stress on joints and changes exercise tolerance.
(Learn more: Weight Management for Dogs With Arthritis)
Lifestyle goals
The goal is different for every family.
Some owners want their dog to return to hiking.
Others want their senior dog to walk comfortably around the yard.
Both goals are important.
Low-Impact Exercise: The Foundation of Arthritis Care
For most dogs with arthritis, low-impact activities provide the safest starting point.
These activities allow dogs to build strength and endurance while minimizing excessive stress on joints.
Walking
Walking is one of the most underrated forms of arthritis exercise.
A consistent walking program can help improve:
Muscle strength
Joint mobility
Cardiovascular health
Mental stimulation
However, the goal is not simply distance.
Quality matters.
A shorter walk with comfortable movement is often better than a long walk that causes fatigue or discomfort.
Signs your dog's walk may be too much include:
Increased stiffness afterward
Limping later in the day
Difficulty getting up the next morning
Reluctance to continue activity
A good rule is that your dog should be moving comfortably during the activity and return to baseline afterward.
Swimming
Swimming can be an excellent exercise option for some dogs because it provides cardiovascular conditioning without weight-bearing stress.
However, swimming is not ideal for every dog.
Some dogs:
Become anxious in water
Swim inefficiently
Overuse certain muscles
Have difficulty getting in and out safely
Like all exercise, it should be individualized.
Underwater Treadmill
The underwater treadmill is one of the most valuable rehabilitation tools for arthritic dogs.
Unlike swimming, the underwater treadmill allows us to control:
Walking speed
Water depth
Duration
Support level
The buoyancy of water reduces joint loading while still allowing the dog to actively walk and strengthen muscles.
Benefits may include:
Improved gait patterns
Increased strength
Better endurance
Reduced joint stress
Improved confidence
The goal is not simply to make exercise easier.
The goal is to help dogs practice better movement.
Why Strength Training Matters for Arthritic Dogs
Many owners are surprised when I explain that strengthening exercises are one of the most important parts of arthritis treatment.
They often assume arthritis means their dog should avoid effort.
The opposite is usually true.
Weak muscles lead to less joint support.
Strengthening exercises help dogs regain stability and function.
Examples include:
Sit-to-stand exercises
These help strengthen:
Thigh muscles
Hip muscles
Core stability
Controlled standing exercises
These improve:
Balance
Weight shifting
Body awareness
Cavaletti exercises
Walking over low obstacles encourages:
Improved foot placement
Increased joint motion
Better coordination
Backward walking
This can strengthen muscles that dogs do not naturally engage as much during forward movement.
The key is that these exercises must be performed correctly.
Poor form can reinforce compensation patterns.
That is why a rehabilitation evaluation is so valuable.
At-Home Exercises for Dogs With Arthritis
One of the most important parts of a successful arthritis management plan is what happens between veterinary visits.
Rehabilitation is not just about what happens in the clinic. The daily habits you create at home often have the greatest impact on your dog's long-term mobility.
The best home exercise program is one that is:
Safe for your dog
Appropriate for their current abilities
Easy for your family to maintain
Consistent over time
I would much rather see a family perform five minutes of the right exercises every day than attempt a complicated program that becomes overwhelming and is abandoned.
Consistency creates change.
Below are some examples of exercises that are commonly incorporated into arthritis rehabilitation plans. However, every dog is different, and exercises should be adjusted based on your veterinarian's or rehabilitation professional's recommendations.
1. Controlled Sit-to-Stand Exercises
The sit-to-stand is one of my favorite functional exercises because it mimics something dogs do many times every day.
Each time your dog gets up from the floor, they are performing a strength exercise.
A properly performed sit-to-stand helps strengthen:
Quadriceps
Hip muscles
Core muscles
Postural muscles
How to perform:
Ask your dog to sit squarely with both back legs positioned evenly.
Encourage your dog to stand using a controlled movement.
Ask for a brief pause while standing.
Slowly return to a sit.
The goal is quality—not quantity.
A few well-performed repetitions are more valuable than many rushed repetitions.
Watch for:
Sitting with one leg kicked out
Shifting weight to one side
Dropping quickly into a sit
Difficulty controlling movement
These may indicate weakness, discomfort, or compensation.
2. Weight Shifting Exercises
Balance and body awareness often decline as arthritis progresses.
Weight-shifting exercises encourage dogs to activate stabilizing muscles and become more confident using their limbs.
Examples:
While your dog is standing:
Gently encourage them to shift weight side to side
Move a treat slowly to encourage controlled head and body movement
Reward calm, balanced standing
These exercises may seem simple, but they challenge important muscles that help support joints.
3. Controlled Leash Walking
Many dogs with arthritis benefit from a structured walking program.
The goal is not to walk farther.
The goal is to walk better.
A controlled walking program may focus on:
Consistent pace
Good posture
Even weight bearing
Comfortable duration
I often recommend owners avoid the mindset of "we need to tire the dog out."
Arthritis exercise should not be a workout that leaves your dog exhausted.
The goal is improved function.
Signs the exercise level is appropriate:
Your dog moves comfortably during the walk
They recover quickly afterward
They are not noticeably stiffer later that day or the next morning
4. Cavaletti Exercises
Cavaletti exercises involve walking over a series of low obstacles.
These are commonly used in rehabilitation because they encourage:
Increased joint range of motion
Better coordination
Improved foot placement
Increased awareness of body position
For arthritic dogs, cavaletti exercises should be introduced slowly.
The obstacles should be low and spaced appropriately for your dog's size and ability.
The goal is not to make the exercise difficult.
The goal is to encourage controlled, intentional movement.
5. Gentle Range-of-Motion Exercises
Dogs with arthritis often develop stiffness, especially after resting.
Gentle movement can help maintain flexibility.
Passive range-of-motion exercises may be helpful for dogs who cannot comfortably perform active exercises.
These involve gently moving joints through a comfortable range of motion.
Important considerations:
Never force a joint
Movement should remain comfortable
Stop if your dog shows discomfort
A rehabilitation professional can teach families safe techniques for their individual dog.
Exercises to Be Careful With in Arthritic Dogs
Exercise is important, but not all activity is beneficial for every arthritic dog.
Some activities can place excessive stress on painful joints, especially if a dog lacks strength or stability.
Activities that may need modification include:
Repetitive high-impact jumping
Repeated jumping can increase joint loading, especially in dogs with existing orthopedic disease.
Sudden bursts of activity
Many dogs feel good during excitement and overdo activity.
Examples:
Chasing balls repeatedly
Running after squirrels
Rough play with younger dogs
The problem often appears later when inflammation and soreness increase.
Slippery surface exercise
Dogs with arthritis already have reduced stability.
Sliding on floors can increase strain and decrease confidence.
Consider:
Non-slip rugs
Yoga mats
Traction runners
Weekend warrior activity
One of the most common patterns I see is:
Little activity during the week → intense activity on weekends.
Dogs need consistent conditioning.
A short daily walk is often better than one long weekend adventure.
How to Create an Arthritis Exercise Plan
A successful exercise plan should progress gradually.
A common mistake is increasing activity too quickly when a dog starts feeling better.
Remember:
Feeling better does not always mean the body is ready for unlimited activity.
A good progression may involve:
Step 1: Establish comfort
Before increasing exercise, pain should be appropriately managed.
Step 2: Build consistency
Create a routine your dog can maintain.
Step 3: Increase gradually
Increase duration, difficulty, or repetitions slowly.
Step 4: Monitor response
Your dog's response tells you whether the plan is appropriate.
Ask:
Are they comfortable during exercise?
Are they more active afterward?
Are they stiff the next morning?
Are they gaining strength?
Progress is measured over weeks and months—not one day.
The Role of Rehabilitation Professionals
Many owners ask:
"Can't I just exercise my dog at home?"
Sometimes, yes.
But a rehabilitation evaluation provides valuable information that can make home exercise safer and more effective.
A rehabilitation veterinarian evaluates:
Which muscles are weak
Which joints are painful
How your dog compensates
What exercises are appropriate
How quickly to progress
This individualized approach prevents the common mistake of giving every arthritic dog the same exercise plan.
Your dog is unique.
Their rehabilitation plan should be too.
(Learn more: Why Rehabilitation Is One of the Most Effective Treatments for Canine Arthritis)
Frequently Asked Questions About Arthritis Exercises
Should I stop exercising my dog because they have arthritis?
No. In most cases, appropriate exercise is one of the most important treatments for arthritis. The type and amount of exercise should be adjusted to your dog's condition.
How often should an arthritic dog exercise?
Most dogs benefit from consistent, moderate activity. Shorter daily sessions are often better than occasional intense exercise.
What if my dog is painful after exercise?
This may mean the activity level was too much, the exercise needs modification, or pain management needs adjustment. Your veterinarian or rehabilitation professional can help determine the next step.
Can exercise reverse arthritis?
Exercise cannot reverse existing cartilage damage, but it can improve strength, mobility, comfort, and quality of life. It may also help slow the progression of functional decline.
Is walking enough for an arthritic dog?
Walking is beneficial, but many dogs need additional strengthening and mobility exercises to address the muscle loss and compensation patterns caused by arthritis.
Final Thoughts: Movement Is Medicine
When a dog develops arthritis, many families understandably focus on what their dog can no longer do.
My goal is to help families focus on what their dog can still do.
Arthritis does not mean your dog needs to stop moving.
It means we need to help them move smarter.
The right exercise program can:
Reduce stiffness
Build strength
Improve confidence
Support joints
Maintain independence
Improve quality of life
The best exercise plan is not the one that pushes your dog the hardest.
It is the one that helps them move comfortably and consistently throughout their life.
At Florida Veterinary Rehabilitation, we create individualized rehabilitation plans designed around each dog's needs, whether they are experiencing early arthritis changes, recovering from orthopedic injury, or managing advanced joint disease.
If your dog is slowing down, struggling with stairs, losing muscle, or not enjoying activities they once loved, an evaluation can help identify what is happening and what steps can improve their mobility.
Because every dog deserves the opportunity to keep moving, keep exploring, and keep sharing life's moments with the people who love them.
— Dr. Lisa Mason, DVM, CCRT, CVA, CVPP