Post-Play Recovery Tips for Active Dogs

Exercise is important for strengthening your relationship with your pup and keeping your fur baby healthy and happy. However, recovery after exercising is just as important as the activity itself. Just like us humans, our canine friends benefit from proper recovery after physical activity, too. With a proper recovery plan, your pup can continue enjoying their activities while staying energetic, comfortable, and healthy.

Why Recovery Matters for Active Dogs 

Prolonged periods of intense exercise can result in more harm to your pup’s body than benefits.

Muscle Damage

Intense exercise may result in small tears in the muscles and may lead to muscle fatigue and even injuries over time. Proper rest allows for these tears in the muscle to heal and repair to build stronger muscles.

Joint Stress

Exercising doesn’t only rely on the muscles; it also adds stress to the bones and joints. Especially for heavier dogs, intense exercise may increase the chances of injury to the joints. Adequate recovery reduces inflammation and allows the tissues around the joints and bones to repair themselves, better supporting the skeletal system.

Energy Expenditure

Dogs utilize a form of stored energy called glycogen to power movement during exercise. Adequate rest allows the body to fully restore these energy reserves in the muscles for future use. If glycogen is not fully restored, it may lead to early muscle fatigue, decrease in energy, and increased risk of injuries.

Signs Your Dog May Need More Recovery Time

How can you tell if your little one may need additional rest and recovery support? Here are some signs to look out for:

• Abnormal movements and posture (e.g. dragging a paw, relying on one side of the body, stiffness)
• Decreased focus and reluctance to engage 
• Lethargy
• Decrease in appetite
• Abnormal behaviours e.g. hyperreactivity, irritability

Recovery Essentials: Hydration, Nutrition, Mobility & Rest + Post-Play Recovery Routine 

Recovery would mean much more than just resting and sleeping. Sleep is an important time for the body to repair, and it is important to support this healing time with adequate hydration and nutrition, as well as anti-inflammatory and muscle/joint support.

So what does recovery look like for dogs? What would a post-play recovery routine include?

• Keep your pup hydrated
  
  
• Offer proper nutritional support with adequate protein and fats for muscle repair. Our Ocean Cod Crunch and Wild Pacific Salmon Crunch are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and high in protein, which may help maintain healthy bones, cartilage, and joints. They may also help support muscle recovery.
  
  
• Include additional muscle and joint support:
  1. NHV Petomega 3 contains Omega-3 fatty acids and has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help support joint health.
  2. NHV Old Timer is an herbal formulation with anti-inflammatory and restorative actions, which may support arthritis and help alleviate muscle and joint discomfort.
     
     
• Provide anti-inflammatory support for the healing body:
  1. NHV Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that may help with post-activity inflammation.
  2. NHV Yucca may help relieve some post-exercise discomfort.
     
     
• Quality sleep (snoozing is normal!)

Conclusion 

Exercise is important in keeping your sweet pup healthy physically and mentally. To continue living this healthy and active lifestyle, properly managed recovery is essential to help them stay comfortable, energized, and ready for their next adventure with their furmily.