The Importance of Regular Exercise for Dogs

If you had access to a state-of-the-art gym, would you use it every single day? If you’re anything like me, your honest answer is probably not. Sure, I might hop on the ol’ treadmill a few times a week, but with no one urging me, I’m spending the majority of my free time elsewhere. Your dog is the same. It’s a common misconception that giving your dog access to your backyard means he’s getting all the exercise he needs. But dogs require interaction to get moving (and they don’t have the benefit of Instagram challenges). As a pet parent, you are your dog’s main motivator–to get fit and stay healthy. Regular Doggie Exercise Is a Must Maybe you’ve heard the old adage, “A tired dog is a good dog.” It’s true that regular exercise can help eliminate unwanted behaviors like chewing, garbage raiding, and excessive barking. (When a dog has too much energy, he’ll let you know!) More importantly, regular exercise can help:     Keep dogs agile and limber     Reduce tummy trouble...

 As dog owners, we want to give our furry friends the best possible lifestyle. Exercise is an extremely important factor in the wellbeing of your dog. Incorporating a daily dog walk into you and your pup’s routine will bring them happiness and better health. Here are ten of the top reasons why your dog needs exercise!       It Keeps your Dog Happy! Being outside is a huge mood booster for your dog. The fresh air can brighten their day and give them a break from being inside. Also, exercise releases endorphins which improves their mood! Just like humans, dogs are at risk of depression and dog walks outside are a great way to ensure their happiness!       It helps to maintain their weight. Being overweight leads to a variety of health risks for your Pup. Exercising is a great way to ensure your dog maintains a healthy weight. As dogs get older, it becomes more difficult to maintain their weight. Dog walking will keep them from gaining excess pounds and ...

Whether you hit the gym every day or haven’t dusted off your estranged sneakers in months, you know it’s important to exercise. As you learned in health class, working up a sweat boosts your mood, slims your waistline and, along with the proverbial apple a day, keeps the doctor away. The same is true of dog exercise. So why do so many of us forget this basic health requirement when it comes to our furry friends? Your dog needs exercise to be their happiest and healthiest selves. Here, find out why it’s important to make sure your dog is getting in his cardio and how you can be a better workout buddy. Full width image iStock.com/PeskyMonkey Exercise Combats Anxiety There’s nothing like a spin class to clear your head after a stressful day at work. As the endorphins kick in, those feelings of restlessness and anxiety seemingly melt away (or at least take a back seat). Similarly, exercise decreases anxiety in dogs, says Dr. Stephanie Borns-Weil, a veterinarian and clinical instructor at ...

Dogs and cats are full of energy and that energy needs to go somewhere, otherwise problem behaviours may start and your pet will become more prone to health issues. The great thing about exercising your pet is there are so many ways to do it. Dogs expend energy at the dog park being social and playing fetch. While cats use up energy playing ball and string, or figuring out a puzzle treat game. Even obedience training is a form of exercise. Exercise is fun for all the family and a great way to bond with your pet. How else does exercise benefit your pet? Exercise keeps your pet fit Coupled with a healthy diet, exercise is the best way to keep weight off your dog or cat – and helps you get fit too! Obesity can be a real problem in our pets and can lead to more medical issues, such as respiratory and joint problems. If your pet is obese, start exercise gently and track their weight – ask your vet for a weight-tracking chart. Exercise keeps your pet healthy A walk everyday goes a long way t...

 How many times have you been told exercise is good for your mind, body and soul? We reckon you probably can’t count it. In fact, as humans, we get the notion of exercise hammered into our heads; it’s pretty much avoidable for our everyday lives. It’s something we have to do to stay fit and healthy.   This is no different for any other animal, except for dogs. As dog owners it’s our duty to make sure they have sufficient exercise.  It’s simple: a tired dog is a well-behaved dog.    No matter the breed, age, or size, every dog needs regular exercise to help maintain good mental and physical health. We know this is something you sign up for as a dog owner, but there’s more wisdom than you realize to exercising your dog. In fact, frequent exercise can benefit both you and your dog in many ways.   However, before we jump straight into the plus points, we need to reinforce for those you already, why exercise is vital. Is it important to exercise your dog? No do...

 As the semester rolls on and tests pile up many students begin changing their daily routine to one that is more study friendly and, unfortunately, usually more desk-bound. What most students do not realize is that while your dog lies next to you on the couch day after day, it is being robbed of exercise that is vital to its health and provides many benefits. Border collie dog catching frisbee in jump in summer Multiple studies have shown that dogs benefit from exercise and have improved bone health, and have improved organ and lung function. It makes them look better, feel better, and they are less nervous when left alone. “ Exercise is good for maintaining general health , and it helps keep your heart, muscles, and joints strong. It also helps with maintaining weight and their coordination,” said Jacqueline Davidson, Clinical Track Professor at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Studies also show that dogs lacking exercise usually h...