Why Dogs Stretch

When dogs stretch, they're warming up, according to Jonathan Rudinger, the Toledo, Ohio-based author of "Effective Pet Massage for Dogs" (www.petmassage.com). He says dogs stretch when they rise because they are warming up their muscles, and it puts the joints into proper position and gets everything in balance so they're ready to move.

It's actually funny to see dogs do the exaggerated play bow and then extend their back legs like "a hairy, horizontal version of a ballerina who goes on point."

The article continues by saying:

The joint surface gets nutrition through use. The pressure and release action pumps the joint fluid in and out of the cartilage bringing in nutrition, and removing waste products. Stretching maintains the health margins of cartilage that don't get used in routine movement.

Isn't this similar to us humans? Although there are those times when your body just feels like no matter how much you stretch, it just won't help the aches and pains of aging. Not that I got 'em but I can tell MSO feels that way.