Canine Weekend Warriors

by | Aug 1, 2024 | Pet Care

Canine Weekend Warriors

Dogs are our best friends, constant companions, ride-or-dies, all in all the time. Naturally, their lifestyles reflect ours in many ways. One example of this is the weekend warrior approach to activity. Here, we discuss the impact this has on dogs.   

Weekend warrior syndrome

Only about 45% of the US population gets the recommended 30 minutes of daily moderate-intensity activity. The term weekend warrior often refers to people who make up for a week of inactivity by using the weekends to fit in all their exercise. Experts say they are putting themselves at risk for injury, a far greater risk than those who are active throughout the week. Poor conditioning and intolerance to exercise may make weekend warriors unfit for the activities in which they engage. Quick exhaustion or inexperience leads to overuse or incorrect form and a greater chance for injury. 

Similarly, canine weekend warriors—dogs that get minimal exercise during most of the week and are exercised intensively only a day or two—are at risk for serious injury and illness. This is sometimes called weekend warrior syndrome. 

Risks for canine weekend warriors

Canine weekend warriors are at risk for several serious issues including:

  • Injuries to muscles, tendons, or joints
  • Impaired respiratory function
  • Heat exhaustion
  • Exacerbation or early onset of certain musculoskeletal disease and pain
  • Lowered immunity

When overexercised, unconditioned dogs—not used to the activity they are being tasked with—can suffer from sore muscles and muscle or tendon strains and tears. Injury to the bicipital tendon (attaches bicep to shoulder allowing shoulder to extend and elbow to flex) is one of the most common injuries in canine weekend warriors. 

One disease that we see often is canine cruciate ligament disease (CCLD). Tears and ruptures of the cruciate ligament which stabilizes the knee joint in the hind leg usually happen over time. This can progress more rapidly, and even occur suddenly, in normally inactive dogs that perform excessive activity on an irregular basis. 

Dogs with existing joint issues, including arthritis, can suffer immediate pain from overexertion. Excessive exercise is also more difficult on the joints of overweight dogs, making them prone to injury. It can also put young dogs at risk for future painful joint issues. 

Canine weekend warriors are also at increased risk for dangerous heat exhaustion. Exercise raises a dog’s body temperature. During exercise, 20-30% of the energy output of muscles is for actual muscle work. The other 70-80% of the muscles’ energy output is spent getting rid of heat. In conditioned dogs, this is not usually a problem. Unconditioned dogs’ muscles are incapable of ridding the body of heat as quickly or efficiently. This puts dogs at risk for life-threatening heat exhaustion.  

It’s also possibly overexercise may lead to lowered immunity in dogs, making them more susceptible to respiratory disease and infection. One such example is one veterinarian’s case of an adolescent Labrador overexercised in a kennel setting found with lung abscesses, pneumonia, and other lung disease. Researchers suspected lowered immunity due to intensive exercise of the unconditioned dog. 

Muscles and respiratory function aren’t the only concerns. Paw pads need to adapt to different surfaces over time. If they are unused to hard or rough surfaces, paws need to slowly build a tolerance to avoid injuries such as abrasions, painful wear, and blistering. 

Signs of an overexercised dog

Many dogs are happy to engage in activities with their humans and will push through pain, exhaustion, and general warning signs of overuse. Whether they’re trying to keep up with their human or simply believe playing and being active is more important than exhaustion, dogs rely on humans to notice when they’ve had enough.

Some signs of overexerted dogs include:

  • Heat exhaustion (life-threatening)—symptoms can include: excessive panting or troubled breathing, confusion, lethargy, sticky gums, thick saliva, vomiting, sunken eyes, collapse
  • Sore muscles—difficulty rising from lying position, refusal to use stairs, limping, whining when moving, reluctance to jump (onto furniture or into a vehicle)
  • Paw damage—tears, flaps of skin, redness, thinning of pad, infection with pus or swelling
  • Joint pain from arthritic flare-up—symptoms similar to sore muscles and may also include: stiff gait, lack of appetite, swollen joints, aggression when touched or handled, refusal to groom, inappropriate elimination
  • Damage to tendons and ligaments can present with many of the same symptoms as sore muscles and arthritic joint pain along with audible popping or clicking of the joint and refusal to use the affected limb

Avoiding harm

One of the most important steps owners can take to prevent injury or illness in dogs is getting annual wellness exams. Talking with a veterinarian and understanding how exercise can impact an individual dog is vital. Here are some reasons why:

  • Appropriate amounts and types of exercise for dogs varies by individual, taking into consideration age, breed, health, and experience.
  • Underlying health problems such as thyroid disease or heart disease can impact stamina and make some exercise dangerous. 
  • Young, old, immunocompromised, and certain breeds of dogs are less able to regulate body temperature than others are.
  • Flat-faced and short-nosed dogs can have trouble with breathing and cooling off. 
  • Young dogs, especially large breeds and others predisposed to orthopedic diseases, should not engage in vigorous exercise before they’re 12-15 months old. Certain types and levels of exercise puts them at increased risk for impaired skeletal development and orthopedic disease. 

It’s especially important to get dogs checked before engaging in new activities to which they are unaccustomed. 

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention’s latest State of US Pet Obesity Report showed another increase in overweight and obese dogs with 59% of dogs classified as overweight or obese. We know this causes disease, pain, and shorter lifespans. We know exercise is essential for dogs’ muscle health, joint health, mental health, and overall immunity. While exercising dogs a couple days per week may be better than no activity, owners must take great care to avoid injury; and consistent daily exercise is best.  

Keep dogs regularly active to keep them conditioned. Most dogs should have a daily routine of light walking, trotting, and controlled ball play. It’s a common misconception that playing in a backyard is enough exercise. If time or other obstacles hinder you from providing consistent exercise, consider hiring someone to exercise your dog. 

Before and after exercise, dogs should warm up and cool down to get blood flowing to muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons and allow for muscle recovery. Warm ups and cool downs can simply be 10 minutes of leisurely walking and light stretching. 

Gradually build physical fitness. Dogs need to be adapted and conditioned to the type and duration of the activity humans ask them to do. This is true whether it is a long-distance walk, run, hike, or sports such as agility courses or flyball. Don’t let them jump right into a strenuous activity without building up to it. 

Increase distance, speed, or intensity in small increments. Experts say it takes 4 to 6 workouts for a dog to be ready for a distance increase. One recommendation is to note, when increasing distance, at what point your dog tires and cut that in half for the increase. For example, if you normally walk 1 mile and wish to increase, you may notice your dog showing signs of exhaustion at 1.5 miles. You should then limit your distance to 1.25 miles for the next 4 to 6 workouts or until your dog is comfortable with this distance. 

During exercise, give dogs frequent rests and water breaks. Be mindful that some dogs are prone to bloat and should avoid consuming large amounts of water at one time, especially while exercising. Be aware of humidity, which can increase risk of heat exhaustion and dehydration.

In conclusion, dogs are our hiking, swimming, running, biking, and everything else buddies; and exercise is essential to their wellbeing. However, irregular intensive physical activity can be dangerous. To keep dogs healthy and reduce risk of injury or illness, dogs should have regular wellness exams along with appropriate and consistent exercise and gradual build ups in intensity.  

  

References

  1. AKC Canine Health Foundation | Keeping your dog Fit for life. https://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/your-dogs-health/caring-for-your-dog/keeping-your-dog-fit-for-life.html
  2. Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. 2022 State of U.S. Pet Obesity.; 2022. https://www.petobesityprevention.org/2022
  3. Baltzer. Preventing injury in sporting dogs. Veterinary Medicine Dvm360. Published online April 2012. https://DVM360.com
  4. Ramos MT, Otto CM. Canine mobility maintenance and promotion of a healthy lifestyle. The Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice/Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice. 2022;52(4):907-924. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2022.03.001
  5. Roberts DJ, Ouellet JF, McBeth PB, Kirkpatrick AW, Dixon E, Ball CG. The “weekend warrior”: fact or fiction for major trauma?. Can J Surg. 2014;57(3): E62-E68. doi:10.1503/cjs.030812