What to do when your senior dog’s hind legs are weak? Fluv shares 4 easy steps to massage a dog with joint problems

Many pet owners of Golden Retrievers, Labradors, German Shepherds, mixed breeds, Shibas, Corgis, Bedlington Terriers, and other medium to large or short-legged dogs find that their dogs struggle to walk as they get older — and some even face paralysis, which can be heartbreaking. According to an analysis by Veterinarian.org, hip dysplasia can actually be improved through massage. That’s why today we’re sharing how to use gentle massage to ease hind leg weakness in senior dogs, reduce age-related stiffness, and build muscle strength — massage is a wonderful tool! Fluv pet sitter is here to walk you through four simple steps.

Step 1: Prepare a comfortable environment for the massage

Just like a massage for humans, you’ll want to find a quiet, noise-free space beforehand so your dog can fully relax and enjoy it. The best time is when your dog’s energy is naturally lower — such as after a walk or just before bed.

Step 2: Help your dog relax first

Make sure you yourself are feeling calm and relaxed — dogs naturally mirror our energy and mood. Start by gently giving your dog a hug, then softly stroke behind the ears, and slowly work your way from the back of the ears down to the head, shoulders, and back. Your dog will start to unwind!

Step 3: Gently rotate your dog’s hip upward

If your dog is already lying down, it’s easier to make adjustments. Before beginning the massage, apply gentle pressure around the hip area. If your dog yelps even at a light touch, the problem may be more serious and a visit to the vet is recommended.

Step 4: Begin the massage

Once you’ve confirmed your dog is responding well to gentle touch, you’re ready to start! Senior dogs often have weaker hind limbs, with stiff muscles around the joints — this stiffness causes the joints to rub against each other and leads to pain. Use the heel of your palm to massage the large outer thigh muscles. This stimulates the leg muscles, loosens the joints, and brings your dog some relief. Each session can last about 10–20 minutes, and you can do it two to three times a day. You can also gently stretch the legs from time to time — and don’t forget to flip your dog over and repeat on the other side!

Watch the full video here. We hope this article is helpful for pet owners of medium to large breed dogs. We want to say it again: our dogs are family for life. Once you’ve welcomed them into your home, it’s your responsibility to care for them even as they age. They only have about 10 or so years with us, and their whole world is you — let’s give them a lifetime of love and patience!

When life gets busy or you’re traveling, if you need in-home care for a senior dog, you can find the senior dog pet sitter “Fang-er” who demonstrated the massage in this guide on the Fluv app! Find her here: https://fluv.me/KTwp

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