Exercise Good Joint Care with Steps for Dogs

You might notice that your dog appears to put more effort into jumping to and from furniture and vehicles. We often believe that because dogs are animals, they can physically handle the simple act of jumping, but are you aware that repetitive leaping could result in the development of physical health issues later in your dog’s life? That’s why we aim to introduce you to the advantages of steps for dogs.

Jumping, while a very natural movement for dogs, can encourage bone and joint problems if performed in excess. How often does your dog jump on and off of your bed, a chair, or the car? Say he does this three times a day. In just one week you dog’s joints will have absorbed the shock of 21 impacts. Imagine the effect this has over a lifetime? It’s no wonder that many dogs develop health issues such as hip dysplasia (arthritis targeting the hip region) and even scoliosis or other back problems. Preventative maintenance is the best way to reduce your dog’s likelihood of suffering from one of these physical issues.

You may be wondering if you should simply aid your dog onto the furniture by lifting him. This is not advisable, as lifting a dog repetitively can also result in spinal issues. Carrying a dog while he is a puppy isn’t really an issue, but as your dog grows and his bones have matured into the position they will be for the rest of his life, his body can’t cope as well with repetitive “unnatural” positioning.

The best alternative is to purchase some sturdy steps for dogs. Pet stairs allow your dog to disperse his weight over a series of steps rather than one jolting movement. The impact of walking down stairs is only slightly more than that of normal walking, and a great deal less than jumping from the full height of the furniture or vehicle. You will find that a lot of dog steps have a carpeted finish. This is a huge advantage for a dog as it minimizes his risk of slipping, especially if the floor (which he would normally jump onto) has a hard or slick finish.

There is a wealth of variety available when shopping for dog steps, including different heights, widths, and materials. Choosing the correct stairs is important, as steps that are too large or small for your dog could result in a stumble or fall. If you have a large breed of dog, try searching for steps that are at least 16” wide. This allows your dog plenty of room to maneuver the steps. Medium-sized dogs should have steps at least 14” wide, and small dog breeds do best with steps 12” wide or smaller.

Large dogs and certain breeds are particularly at risk for developing joint problems as they grow older, so preventative care is a necessity in ensuring that these higher-risk dogs have a fair chance of staving off the bone/joint issues. Even if your dog is not at particular risk for such issues, he can still develop them from damage due to repetitive shock to his bones. The best thing you can do to prevent your dog from developing bone and joint disorders is to prevent the damage in the first place through the use of dog steps.