Can Running Cause Arthritis In Dogs? Playing Fetch Is Worse

When I tell people I’m a runner, a common response is something along the lines of:

“Oh, that’s so bad for your knees.”

Or,

“Oh, so hard on the body.”

Really?!

Because I think sitting around is hard on the body and most people could stand to run just a little.

I used to have knee problems too, and that was only during my first year of running. After that my muscles got stronger and I haven’t had a problem since.

My dog, though, is 9.5 years old, and he has pain in his joints. This is actually something that started when he was around 3 years old.

Ace was my running partner for 6 years.

I’m talking THOUSANDS of miles, marathon training, long runs up to 20 miles (although usually just 2-4).

I’m surprised no one has ever blamed me for Ace’s arthritis.

Maybe this is because few people know that:

1. Ace is in pain

2. I ran with him so regularly.

Which brings me to the main question:

Can running actually cause a dog’s arthritis?

I’m sure there’s some web site out there that will say yes, but I don’t believe it.

You can do your own Google search for the causes of osteoarthritis, but it’s silly people would actually blame running.

[quote_center]Slow, steady running is healthy for people and dogs (within reason).[/quote_center]

Slow, steady running is healthy for people and dogs (within reason).

No vet has ever criticized me for running with my dog. I’ve interviewed several for various blog posts and articles. They encourage it as a healthy activity for dogs and their owners.

Vets see a lot of fat dogs, frankly. And as a dog walker, so do I.

Running didn’t hurt my dog, but playing FETCH did.

Even though Ace and I ran on pavement or concrete most of the time, our running was slow and steady. My dog only had to “trot” to keep up. He basically walked fast while I ran.

But our fetching games were another story …

When my dog played fetch, it was HARD, obsessive, maniac-crazy fetch! He’d stop dead in his tracks off of a sprint to get the ball. He’d brace hard onto his knees, often twisting his limbs and core.

In our younger years, I’d throw the ball again. And again. And again.

And because my dog had no off switch, he wouldn’t stop unless I did. Then he’d collapse to the earth, often heaving with exhaustion.

Of course, I quickly learned to limit our fetch sessions to 5 minutes, but even in 5 minutes you can play a lot of fetch.

And my dog could get anyone he met to toss him a ball, a stick, a frisbee. If nothing else was available, chunks of ice would do. Or rocks.

It’s very hard, almost impossible, for people to ignore a dog begging you to throw a ball.

I’ve told complete strangers, “Please do NOT throw the ball for my dog!”

They throw it anyway. They can’t say no to that pleading Labrador stare. They can’t.

Be mindful of your young dog’s joints

These days, Ace is mostly retired from fetch. We play a little frisbee at the park every now and then, but only three or four throws.

This is not to get you to feel sorry for Ace. He is just fine.

All I’m saying is be careful with your young dog’s joints. He will get old one day.

Dog sports are very popular – disc dog, agility, flyball. I love all these sports and find working with my dog so rewarding. I can’t wait to work with a young dog again in the near future.

But, if you choose to play fetch, don’t drive your dog into the ground like I did.

Do a warmup before hard impacts. Learn how to do some stretching. Keep fetch or other intense games to short sessions. Stop before that tongue is long.

Because your dog is not going to stop.

Keep on having fun. Just be mindful is all.

Do we have any other fetch addicts out there?

How do you think running and other sports have affected your dog?

Let me know!

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