07 Sep Exercise is good for them too!!!
Probably one of the most demanding, yet the most rewarding aspects of caring for our pets is ensuring they receive adequate exercise. After a busy day at work nothing is easier than letting the dog out the backdoor, looking through the mail, then letting them back in, then sit on the couch and settling in for a binge session of your latest Netflix addiction. Unfortunately, this is not helping you nor your companion. You might say “This doesn’t affect me. I have cats.” But, one of the greatest issues facing our cats is obesity due to lack of exercise and unhealthy nutrition. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
All of our companions need some level of physical exercise and mental enrichment. The level of exercise that certain breeds require has either increased or decreased over many years of selective breeding. Working dogs have been selected to have sufficient energy to work in the fields for hours without rest, while companion breeds have been selected to sit quietly in their owner’s laps for hours without complaints. Just like physical exercise, the required amount of mental enrichment can vary. Again, your German Shepard should be very observant and unsettled by changes and any noise while your King Charles Cavalier will only be upset if you stop petting them too long. Therefore, one of the most important first steps in our pet’s life is to select a pet that best fits your lifestyle.
Just like for you and I, there are many benefits from exercising our pets. With exercise, your pet will maintain a healthy weight, and have a lower risk from diseases that are typically associated with obesity. It has been shown as well, that a lack of exercise is a significant factor with behavioral issues in many of our pets. In our senior pet’s, daily activity will help to lessen the aches and pains of arthritis. And finally, one of the most important reasons for exercising our pets, is it creates a stronger bond with them. So, If that doesn’t do it for you, then it’s also great exercise for us as well! We know that most of us could benefit from a little more exercise (myself included!!!!).