It’s heart-breaking to watch dogs struggle with their movement, or to see a once energetic and excitable dog slow down on walks or struggle to get out of bed. Whether your dog is ageing, showing signs of stiffness, dealing with an orthopaedic issue, or recovering from an injury, keeping their muscles warm is essential for helping them feel and move better.
Heat helps to ease muscle tension, support recovery, and promote relaxation. But how exactly does it work, and when should it be used? Let’s explore how you can help your dog keep their muscles warm and ready to move.
Why Warm Muscles Matter: The Science Behind it
Just like with people, dogs’ muscles perform better when they are warm. Warm muscles are more flexible, allowing for easier movement and improved blood circulation. When muscles are cold, they tighten and lose their elasticity, which can exacerbate stiffness, make movement painful, and even lead to injuries.
When heat is applied to sore muscles, it has two main effects:
Immediate Effects: Heat temporarily dilates (widens) blood vessels and lymph channels. This increased circulation delivers fresh oxygen and nutrients to the muscle, promoting recovery. In addition, this process soothes nerve endings, helping to relieve pain and loosens tight muscle fibres, tendons, and ligaments, which in turn helps dislodge toxins that may have built up in the muscles.
Long-Term Relaxation: Once the heat is removed, the relaxed state of the soft-tissue continues. The deep relaxation from heat helps your dog feel less stiff, reducing muscle tension. Heat also raises the dog’s body temperature, stimulating their metabolism and even lowering their blood pressure, making heat a gentle but effective way to promote healing and comfort.
Therefore, it’s important to keep your dog’s muscles warm, especially if they are prone to stiffness, restricted mobility, or have known orthopaedic conditions. Let’s dive into my 5 practical tips for keeping your dog’s muscles warm which you can easily apply at home.
1. Prevent Tight Muscles in Cold and Wet Weather
Cold, wet weather can tighten muscles and make your dog uncomfortable. Just as we feel the chill in damp conditions, so do our dogs! One of the easiest ways to keep your dog’s muscles warm is by using a dog coat. If you’re heading out for a walk in colder weather, a waterproof coat is important, especially for dogs with short or thin fur/hair. Wearing a coat prevents rain and dampness from seeping into their fur and cooling down their muscles. Wet muscles cool down faster, increasing the chance of stiffness or even a cold-induced injury.
When you return from a wet or damp walk, take the time to dry your dog off thoroughly. Use a towel or a specially designed drying coat to absorb excess moisture and retain body heat. You can also keep a warm, cosy blanket on hand for them to snuggle in after they are dried off to maintain warmth.
2. Be Careful with Cold Water
It can be tempting to hose off a muddy dog when you get home but using cold water from the hose (especially in cooler weather) can rapidly chill their muscles. This sudden drop in temperature can cause the muscles to contract, tighten, and even spasm making your dog feel stiff and uncomfortable.
If you need to rinse your dog, use lukewarm water instead of cold. This will prevent the sudden shock to their muscles and help them retain some of their warmth.
3. Use Heat Packs for Sore, Tight Muscles
Heat is one of the most effective ways to soothe sore, tight, or stiff muscles in dogs. Applying heat to your dog’s muscles can increase blood flow to the area, helping to loosen tight fibres, improve circulation, and ease any discomfort they may be feeling. Heat is especially beneficial for dogs with orthopaedic conditions like arthritis, low-grade inflammation and stiffness in joints and muscles and those recovering from muscle strains.
You can use a heat pack or hot water bottle (wrapped in a towel) to apply gentle heat to your dog’s sore muscles for 10-20 minutes. Be sure to monitor them for signs of discomfort and overheating, such as panting or lethargy, and never leave heat packs on unattended. Hot towels and hydrocollator packs are also effective for delivering moist heat, which can penetrate deeper into the muscles, providing soothing relief.
A quick safety note:
Too much heat for too long can cause nerve irritation (neuralgia), resulting in sharp, intermittent pain. If this occurs, use cool cloths to soothe the nerves.
Electrical heating pads are not recommended for dogs, as they can easily cause burns. They also pose risks such as chewing hazards or even water shocks if your dog has an accident while lying on one.
4. Avoid Drafty Areas & Provide Warm Bedding
Where your dog sleeps or rests plays a huge role in how well they maintain warmth. If your dog’s bed is placed in a drafty area, like near doors, windows, or in a room with poor insulation, they can lose heat quickly. This can cause their muscles to stiffen overnight, making it harder for them to move when they get up in the morning.
Provide a warm, comfortable place for your dog to sleep or rest. Place your dog’s bed in a warm, draft-free space and add an extra thick blanket or padding if required. This is key in keeping their muscles warm and relaxed and will, ensure they wake up feeling more limber and ready for the day.
For more information on appropriate bedding READ THIS!
5. Warm-Ups and Cool-Downs: Don’t Skip Them!
I cannot stress how important it is to WARM-UP and COOL-DOWN your dog before and after exercise. Just like humans, dogs need time to prepare their muscles for activity and recover afterward. Warming up helps to gradually increase the blood flow to the muscles, while cooling down prevents stiffness and soreness post-exercise. I have other blogs dedicated to this topic, but always keep in mind that skipping this crucial step can make your dog more prone to stiffness or injury.
In Summary: A Warm Muscle Truly is a Happy Muscle!
When it comes to keeping your dog comfortable and mobile, warmth is key. Whether it’s using heat packs for sore, tight muscles, ensuring your dog is properly dried off after a cold, wet walk, or making sure their bed is in a draft-free, cosy spot, these simple steps can make a big difference in how your dog feels and moves.
If your dog has orthopaedic issues or is prone to stiffness, using these 5 tips at home will help keep their muscles warm and flexible, ensuring that they can enjoy their daily activities without discomfort. After all, a warm muscle truly is a happy muscle!
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