Older dogs and colder days

As the temperatures drop, have you ever noticed that your older dog seems a little stiffer, slower, or less enthusiastic about getting up in winter?

By Dr Ingrid de Wet of Cottage Vet Clinic

You’ re not imagining it. Cold weather can be especially hard on senior dogs.

Just as in people, our furry friends’ ageing joints are less forgiving when it’ s chilly. Many older dogs have some degree of arthritis, even if they’ ve never been formally diagnosed. The cartilage that cushions their joints becomes thinner over time, and inflammation can develop within the joint. In colder weather, muscles tighten and joint fluid becomes slightly less lubricating, which can make movement uncomfortable.

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