When to reduce exercise for an older dog?

[Warmworm]

My retriever cross is 8 and a half, and has recently seemed to be lagging behind me a lot when we’re on a walk. She gets 50-60 mins off lead in the afternoon and a 15 min evening on lead walk. Do you think this is too much for a dog her age?

She had a health check at the vet recently and was fine. Lots of lumps and bumps on her now but the vet wasn’t worried about any of them.

She seems to need less food now too. She will eventually eat her dinner but doesn’t gobble it up like she used to.

Does this just sound like older dog behaviour?

[fivedogstofeed]

My older girls do seem to eat a bit less and don't always run as hard as they did. If she's lagging behind she may have a touch of arthritis? Might be worth trying some joint supplements.

[Warmworm]

The vet said she might have arthritis in her shoulder because she can get stiff after a long sleep. Maybe that’s making it tougher for her. I give her yumove, which seems to have helped with her stiffness when she gets up.

[user1471465525]

When my lab was around nine she started showing signs of arthritis such as stiffness and slowing on her walks .The vet put her on rheumacam a mild painkiller and it made a big difference.

[BookWitch]

I'm no expert, and my old girl is my first dog. She is also a rescue so I didn't have her as a younger dog.

She's approx 11 and we take for a "'good walk" every other day. This is 45 mins to an hour easy walking (woods or beach). She is off lead but tends to plod beside us, and will stop and sniff at interesting points, and will say hello to other people and dogs.
On the days inbetween, she will usually plod up to the shops with me or dd (on lead) - about 10 mins each way - more if she stops to chat with people.
She has Previcox (Sp?) from the vet, and a senior dog vitamin supplement.

No sign up her wanting less food though

[Branleuse]

Our 17 year old staffie cant keep up anymore as shes quite stiff and wheezy, but she does still enjoy a walk. Often though just do one walk a day with both dogs, and not take her on the second one, so the younger dog can get a good run. We also let her miss a day if its cold and rainy or she is not enthusiastic

[Honeyroar]

Both my labs massively slowed down at 9 and went onto Yumove and Metacam due to arthiritis. We shortened walks and tried to reduce the hurtling around with the younger dogs.

I see so many older dogs being dragged along by pavements, clearly struggling, by owners not seeming to notice. I never wanted to be that owner. My dogs decide..

[Warmworm]

Thanks folks, I think maybe I’ll shorten her off lead afternoon walk. Don’t want to make her sore.