Have you ever heard the old adage “if your dog is fat, you’re likely not getting enough exercise?” Truer words were never spoken. Dog owners are four time more likely than non-dog owners to meet today’s physical activity guidelines, according a large-scale study of British households. The primary reason is the link between dog ownership and walking. Dog owners walked 22 minutes more per day than people without dogs, and also walk more briskly than someone without a dog at a pace of about three miles per hour. According to The American Heart Association, moderate-intensity walking is just as effective as running in lowering the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, and other conditions.
Man’s Best Friend Often Fights the Same Ailments As Their Owners
More than half of all dogs in the U.S. are obese, which corresponds to the obesity rates in Americans. Just 14 percent of adults in this country were considered obese in 2008, compared to 40 percent today–a 26 percent increase in 13 years. Only 1.2 percent met the seven cardiovascular health habits recommended by in a 2012 Journal of American Medical Association Study. Those guidelines call for healthy eating habits and walking for 30 minutes five times a week.
Why Walking Your Dog Every Day Benefits You Both
Humans and dogs tend to burn close to the same amount of energy per pound when walking or running. Dogs expend about 0.8 calories for walking a 15-minute mile, while their pet parents burn about 0.73 calories walking at a similar speed. This equates to a 100-calorie burn for a person weighing 150 pounds and a 38-calorie burn for a 40-pound dog. Even better, both dogs and humans are social creatures. The twice daily stroll around the block with Fido helps you both stay connected to the outside world and each other.
All Pets Benefit from Exercise
Hamsters love a good spin on their wheel. Birds revel in a little time outside of their cage. Indoor cats chase after anything small that moves. What else do they all have in common? They love to play and thrive under the increased attention and bonding time with their owners during play time, which is often exercise cloaked in pure glee.
Daily Exercise Can Also Help Eliminate Behavioral Problems
Not only is it physically beneficial to exercise your pets, it can help your pet stay in your good graces. More often than not when dogs tear up the pillows on the couch or when cats destroy a roll of toilet paper, they’re trying to send you a signal that they’re bored. Yard-bound dogs get frustrated at seeing a park, alley or sidewalk from their fence that they can’t explore and try to dig holes to free themselves to check it out.
Exercise Doesn’t Have to Mean Walking or Running For You
If you’re unable to exert a lot of physical energy due to a health condition, there are still ways to help your pet get the exercise they need. Teaching your dog to retrieve a stick, tennis ball or frisbee is a great way to get their heart rate up–and they love the attention. Most cats can be taught to fetch and retrieve as well, and will chase anything from a rubber hair tie to a stuffed mouse. Just make sure whatever you’re throwing for your pet isn’t a swallowing hazard. Likewise, if your pet has joint or heart problems, physical therapy like wading in shallow water can be a great way to safely get some exercise. Ask your veterinarian for tips that will be safe for your pet based upon their condition.
If Your Pet Doesn’t Want to Play, There May Be a Medical Problem
If you dog goes from enthusiastic about his walk one day to inattentive the next, there might be a medical issue to ask your veterinarian about. Dogs and cats can suffer from depression and anxiety just like people can. Perhaps yesterday’s romp was a little too frisky, and your dog might have a sprain or pulled muscle. In any case, a sudden change of behavior merits a call to your veterinarian. If you’ve Googled “veterinarians near me”, chances are good you landed on Jacksonville Community Pet Clinic and their two physical locations, one on Jacksonville’s west side and one in Jacksonville Beach, as well as a mobile clinic that sets up on parking lots throughout Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Baker and Clay Counties. Visit the website to see mobile clinic locations, dates and times.
