A dog adds a half-dozen small physical tasks to the week: the wormer, the grooming session, the lifted sack of food, the muddy towel. None is heavy on its own; together they are a quiet tally of bends, lifts and holds that a sore back registers.
Is a routine wormer safe for every dog?
For most dogs, yes. For dogs carrying the MDR1 mutation, found mostly in collies and their relatives, some parasite treatments belong to the list of molecules to avoid or use with care. The guide to ivermectin sensitivity in dogs explains the genetics, the warning signs of a bad reaction and the safer routines vets choose instead.
If you do not know your dog's status and the breed is on the herding list, ask the vet before the next dose rather than after.
How do dog chores fit a week that is kind to a back?
Spread them. Grooming at table height rather than on the floor saves the forward bend; splitting a large sack of food into a lidded bin once, then decanting into a tub, saves the weekly lift; the wormer happens with the dog standing squarely, not wriggling on your lap.
The wider point is the same one this site makes for housework and gardening: frequency with a light load beats rarity with a heavy one.
What about the bath?
The bath is the heaviest chore of the lot: a wet, wriggling animal, a bent spine, a slippery floor. A raised bath, a walk-in shower tray or a groomer's table all move the work off the lower back. Where none exists, two shorter sessions beat one wrestling match.
Which chores are worth handing over?
Anything that predictably hurts. A groomer for the monthly bath, a delivery for the food sack, a neighbour for the midday walk on a bad week: paying for the heavy item is a reasonable trade.
The same MDR1 question sits behind looking after someone else's collie, where the checklist matters most.
Sources
For general guidance on routine dog care and welfare, see the RSPCA.