Advances in veterinary science, preventive care, nutrition, and owner education are helping extend the average life expectancy of cats and dogs. As pets age, exercise remains important for the sake of their health. However, exercising senior pets requires care and unique consideration to keep them safe and comfortable.
The importance of exercise for senior dogs and cats
To keep pets aging well—and keep senior bodies and minds fit for as long as possible—exercise plays a vital role. It helps in significant ways including the following:
- maintains healthy weight
- slows/decreases sarcopenia (age-related loss of lean muscle mass)
- prevents/reduces risk of slips and falls
- strengthens immune systems that grow fragile with age
- protects joint mobility, prevents/decreases joint pain and inflammation
- allows efficient thermoregulation
- supports cardiovascular fitness
- slows age-related cognitive decline (a disorder similar to Alzheimer’s in humans)
Not only does staying active help keep senior bodies healthy, lack of exercise can also accelerate many negative age-related issues including inflammation, illness, and pain.
Considerations and safety
The amount and type of exercise a pet needs depends on breed, age, health status, and fitness level.
As they age, cats and dogs may become slower, stiffer, and have less stamina. Also, they may suffer joint pain or illness—diagnosed or underlying. For these reasons, and because seniors can still hide their pain, it’s essential owners consider senior pets’ needs and abilities when exercising to avoid injury.
Here are ways to keep exercise safe for senior pets:
- get regular wellness exams
- speak with your pet’s veterinarian about appropriate exercise
- keep a regular exercise routine to maintain fitness level
- monitor for tolerance, especially in those with heart and respiratory issues
- modify exercises
- use ramps or stairs to help cats climb up cat trees and other high surfaces
- play on nonslip/carpeted areas
- keep play low to the ground
- avoid lots of running and jumping
- incorporate more mental stimulation
- be mindful of weather when walking as seniors are more susceptible to cold
- talk with your veterinarian about pairing exercise with treatments such as laser therapy, water therapy, or massage
While playing or exercising senior pets, watch for signs of pain or exhaustion:
- limping
- wincing when touched
- reluctance to jump onto furniture or into vehicles
- difficulty rising
- stiff gait
- excessive tiredness after play/walks
- excessive panting during play/walks
- lagging behind/stopping frequently/refusing to continue
Types of exercise
There are many options for daily low-impact exercise and play to help keep senior cats and dogs healthy and fit. Activity should be controlled and appropriate for the individual pet. Some examples include:
- slow/sniff walks
- walks in wagons or strollers
- swimming/water play
- low-to-ground stalking and hunting for cats using wand toys or laser pointers
- balance exercises for dogs (alternating asking for and holding up different paws for several seconds)
- track and ball toys for cats
- treat puzzles for dogs and cats
- boxes and play tunnels for cats
- practicing learned commands or learn new ones
Dogs and cats are living longer. Daily exercise is a major part of keeping their minds and bodies healthy and maintaining a good quality of life. The most important points are to speak to your veterinarian and follow their advice in maintaining regular, appropriate activity for your pet.
References
Bray EE, Raichlen DA, Forsyth KK, et al. Associations between physical activity and cognitive dysfunction in older companion dogs: results from the Dog Aging Project. GeroScience. 2022;45(2):645-661. doi:10.1007/s11357-022-00655-8
Oh WS, Armstrong PJ. Geroscience, longevity trends, and anti-aging strategies in dogs and cats. Journal of Veterinary Science. 2025;26(S1):S157. doi:10.4142/jvs.25221
Oh WS, Armstrong PJ, Han HJ. Lifestyle factors affecting aging and healthspan in dogs and cats. Journal of Veterinary Science. 2025;26(S1):S220. doi:10.4142/jvs.25227