7 Ways to Keep Your Dog Active and Injury-Free This Summer

Summer in Saskatchewan is made for adventure. Whether you're heading to the lake, exploring hiking trails, camping, or simply spending more time outdoors, your dog is probably just as excited as you are.

While the warmer weather encourages more activity, it also brings an increased risk of injuries. Every summer, we see dogs that have strained muscles, aggravated arthritis, or developed mobility issues simply because they went from relatively inactive to highly active in a short period of time.

The good news? Many of these injuries are preventable.

Here are seven simple ways to help keep your dog healthy, active, and moving comfortably all summer long.

1. Don't Overdo the Fetch

Fetch is one of the most popular summer activities, but it can also be one of the hardest on your dog's body.

Repeated sprinting, sudden stops, twisting, and jumping place significant stress on muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. While our dogs' wild ancestors certainly chased prey, they weren't making the same explosive movements over and over again for 20 or 30 throws in a single session.

Instead, try:

• Shorter games of fetch

• Frequent rest breaks

• Mixing fetch with sniff walks or obedience games

• Rotating activities to avoid repetitive strain

  
  

Read our related blog: https://www.bridgecityvetrehab.ca/post/fifa-fever-and-furry-soccer-fans-is-playing-fetch-bad-for-your-dog

2. Exercise During the Cooler Parts of the Day When Being Active with Your Dog in the Summer

Dogs don't regulate heat the way we do. Exercising during the hottest part of the afternoon increases the risk of overheating and fatigue, which can also affect coordination and increase the chance of injury.

For safer summer exercise:

• Walk early in the morning or later in the evening.

• Bring fresh water.

• Watch for signs of overheating, including excessive panting, slowing down, or reluctance to continue.

If it's too hot for you, it's probably too hot for your dog.

3. Build Up Activity Gradually

After a long Saskatchewan winter, many dogs lose conditioning. Jumping straight into long hikes or weekends at the lake can overload muscles and joints.

Instead of one long adventure, gradually increase:

• Walking distance

• Hiking difficulty

• Swimming time

• Running and play sessions

Think of it like training for a marathon—you wouldn't start with 20 kilometres on day one. Small more frequent episodes of activity daily is better tolerated than doing one long episode of activity on the weekend.

4. Keep Your Dog at a Healthy Weight

Extra weight means extra stress on every joint. In fact, for every pound of excess body weight, a dog's cruciate ligament can experience up to four additional pounds of force during movement. Over time, this added stress can contribute to joint wear and increase the risk of injury.

However, the effects of excess weight aren't just mechanical.

Body fat (adipose tissue) is biologically active and produces inflammatory chemicals called cytokines. This means excess body fat creates a pro-inflammatory state throughout the body, which can contribute to chronic inflammation, increase pain, and worsen conditions such as osteoarthritis.

Maintaining a healthy body condition helps reduce stress on the hips, knees, elbows, and spine while also decreasing inflammation. The result? Improved comfort, better endurance, and greater mobility.

If your dog already has arthritis or a previous orthopaedic injury, even modest weight loss can make a significant difference in their comfort and quality of life. Studies have shown that even a 6–8% reduction in body weight can lead to noticeable improvements in mobility and a reduction in lameness in overweight dogs with osteoarthritis.

If you're unsure whether your dog is at an ideal weight, our team can assess their Body Condition Score (BCS), discuss realistic weight-loss goals, and develop a nutrition and exercise plan tailored to your pet's individual needs.

5. Watch for the Small Signs of Pain

Dogs are incredibly good at hiding discomfort.

Many owners don't notice a problem until their dog starts limping, but pain often begins much earlier.

Watch for signs such as:

• Slowing down on walks

• Reluctance to jump into the vehicle

• Difficulty getting up after resting

• Sitting or lying down during walks

• Stiffness after exercise

• Taking shorter strides

• Lagging behind on hikes

  
  

The earlier these changes are addressed, the easier they are often to manage.

6. Keep Muscles and Joints Strong

Strong muscles provide support for joints.

Just like people benefit from strength training, dogs benefit from exercises that improve balance, coordination, flexibility, and muscle strength.

Depending on your dog's needs, this may include:

• Therapeutic exercises

• Cavaletti poles

• Balance equipment

• Underwater treadmill therapy

• Home exercise programs

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These exercises aren't just for dogs recovering from surgery—they can also help active dogs perform better and senior dogs stay mobile longer.

7. Don't Wait Until There's an Injury

One of the biggest misconceptions about veterinary rehabilitation is that it's only for pets recovering from surgery.

In reality, rehabilitation can help:

• Improve strength and endurance

• Reduce the risk of injury

• Manage arthritis

• Improve mobility

• Support healthy aging

• Speed recovery after strenuous activity

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At Bridge City Veterinary Rehabilitation, every rehabilitation program begins with a comprehensive assessment by our rehabilitation veterinarian. If rehabilitation is appropriate, your pet will receive a personalized treatment plan that may include underwater treadmill therapy, therapeutic exercise, Class IV laser therapy, veterinary acupuncture, or PEMF therapy—all prescribed by our veterinarian and performed by trained veterinary professionals.

Because every pet is different, there is no one-size-fits-all rehabilitation program.

Enjoy Summer Together

Summer adventures create some of the best memories with our pets. By pacing activity, recognizing early signs of discomfort, and supporting your dog's mobility before problems become serious, you can help them enjoy every hike, swim, and game of fetch safely.

Whether your dog is an energetic athlete, a weekend adventurer, or a senior companion, keeping them moving comfortably is one of the best gifts you can give them.

Beat the Heat with Our Summer Rehabilitation Sale

To help more pets stay active and comfortable this summer, we're offering:

🐾 25% OFF individual rehabilitation treatments

🐾 Save 25–35% on rehabilitation packages

Offer valid July 1 – August 31, 2026.

Promotion Details

• Rehabilitation services require a rehabilitation assessment and veterinary prescription.

• Rehabilitation packages are non-refundable.

• Packages expire six months from the date of purchase.

• Existing rehabilitation packages may be paused during the promotional period, if eligible, to allow clients to take advantage of this offer.

• Offer cannot be combined with other promotions or discounts.

Book your pet's rehabilitation assessment today and help them make the most of summer!