You do your best to eat right, be active and stay healthy. But did you know the same applies to your pet? It’s very important for your pet to have an active lifestyle and one of the best ways to achieve this is through regimented pet exercises. This fall, Germantown Vet is all about exercise. Keep reading for some great pet exercises and tips on how to keep your pet fit this season!
Walking: One of the Best Pet Exercises
Walking is one of the best exercises for humans. And the same goes for pets! Walking helps you pet’s cardiovascular health, prevent arthritis, and manage its weight. It’s one of the best pet exercises in town! Ideally, larger pets like dogs should get about 30-60 minutes of activity per day. Unfortunately, the average dog gets only 20.
You might think that you’re too busy to walk your pet every day. Not true at all! It’s actually much easier to get 30 to 60 minutes of activity in for your pet than you think. For starters, try breaking up your pets walks into smaller chunks throughout the day. Two 15-20 minute walks, one in the morning before work and the other in the evening, can add up to 40 minutes of activity a day!
Also try taking your pet with you while you exercise yourself! If you enjoy running outside or on trails, your pet will be eager to tag along. Bringing your pet during your own workout not only gets you fit, but it also helps your pet. Moreover, activities like this are a great way for you and your pet to develop a closer emotional bond. So the next time you go for a run, bring your pet with you!
Playing: One of the Pet Exercises Often Overlooked
Some of you might not have large dogs that are ideal candidates for daily walks. Don’t forget that there are many pet exercises you can do in smaller spaces or even indoors. Also remember that besides being a great pet exercise, playing is a great way to improve your pet’s interactive, mental and cognitive skills. In other words, playing is a great activity for your pet all around!
For instance, smaller dogs might benefit more from playing a game of fetch in your backyard. This way, the dog can still get a great dose of aerobic activity without overexerting itself in a long walk. What’s even better is that you don’t need much to play fetch! A small ball, your dog’s favorite toy and even a small stick from your backyard all make great fetching toys.
If you have a cat, don’t think that you’re excused from pet exercise either. It’s just as important to have a set of pet exercises for your feline companion. Since cats don’t go for long outdoor walks, it’s important to play with your cat on a regular basis. Try investing a few dollars in some toys that your cat can play with either independently or with its owner. Toys infused with catnip are usually very popular, as are toys with wands and feathers. These pet exercises not only get your cat moving, but keep them engaged!
There are plenty of ways to incorporate pet exercises into your dog or cats everyday schedule. For more information, contact a Damascus MD animal hospital like Germantown Vet. Serving the Montgomery County and other areas of Maryland, see us today with any questions about your pet’s activity level and potential pet exercises you can incorporate!
