The Importance of Adequate Exercise for Your Dog
Dogs – like humans – have minimum daily exercise requirements that must be met for optimum health and well-being.
Depending on your dog’s breed, age, and personality, they might require anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours of exercise daily. An even better way to track the activity of your dog is to obtain one of the Actijoy Health & Activity dog tracker.
Here, the importance of adequate exercise for your dog will be discussed.
Health
First and foremost, getting enough exercise for your dog is important because it leads to better health. Exercise helps dogs maintain a proper weight, which prevents diseases such as diabetes, kidney failure, and obesity. Dogs have a longer lifespan when they maintain a healthy weight, as well as more energy and fewer veterinary bills.
Socialization
All dogs require socialization to remain psychologically and mentally sound. Exercise is a great form of socialization, because it allows dogs to experience new sights, sounds, and smells. A well-socialized dog will have less anxiety, decreased territorial behavior, and will be happier.
Better Behavior
A tired dog is a happy dog, and a happy dog is less likely to get into trouble. When dogs are worn out from a day of exercise, they are far less likely to be bored. In turn, pet owners will see a reduction in bad behaviors, such as chewing, digging, excessive barking, and attention-seeking. Pet owners will also find that dogs are more likely to cooperate for baths, grooming, and obedience sessions after a long walk or run.
Bonding
Most dogs love to exercise, which is why it represents a great chance to bond with your pet. Spending time together, whether it be during a walk in the park, a long hike on new trails or fun swim together in a nearby lake allows for more opportunities for your dog to form a stronger bond with their humans.
Fulfillment of Drives
Ultimately, dogs were not intended to be sedentary animals. In the wild, dogs are nomadic, meaning they travel far in search of food. Other breeds, such as those developed for hunting or working, were bred specifically to have strong drives for traveling great distances or being active throughout the workday. Since these drives are so strongly genetically predisposed, dogs that are not given an outlet for exercise can become sullen, depressed, and lethargic.
We all have hectic lives. Find some useful tips about how to add exercise with your furry friend into a busy schedule here. And if you are interested in learning more about canine health or exercise for your dog, subscribe to our blog! Keep track of your dog's health and take a look at the Actijoy solution.