It’s healthy for every pooch and owner to get out and about frequently on long rambles or shorter strolls. Walking your dog is an extremely important and rewarding activity. If you need motivation, here are some reasons to begin this crucial daily activity.

1. Exercise

In these sedentary times of working behind a desk, many of us just don’t move our bodies enough. Stiffness, injuries from sitting incorrectly, restricted blood flow to the extremities, and obesity are just part of the price we pay to have kibble in the bowl and keep the wolf from the door. Our pups also suffer because they could be staying at home with minimal space to exercise and insufficient mental and physical stimulation. Like us, they get bored, which can lead to undesirable and possibly destructive behaviours. Even worse, your dog may get depressed and lose vigour.

Signs that your dog may be depressed (many even apply to us):

• Loss of interest in normal activities
• Change in appetite or eating habits
• Change in sleep patterns
• Self-destructive behaviours
• Increased or decreased activity levels
• Whining or barking more than usual
• Withdrawal from social interaction
• Excessive grooming or chewing

No matter what the breed, all dogs require a walk every day. Very active dogs could be walked twice a day.

Exercise in both humans and dogs lowers blood pressure and improves cardiovascular strength, which reduces stress in both owner and pet. It burns those extra calories, which day by day contribute to obesity. In both dogs and humans, being severely overweight affects the liver, can cause insulin resistance, exposes one to cardiovascular disease, and increases the chances of osteoarthritis.

2. Bonding and Enrichment

Not just a physically healthy habit, walking with our canine companion also cultivates emotional bonds. Getting to know each other’s foibles out in the wider world builds trust in the relationship and in each other. This provides a sense of security and well-being that recharges one’s physical, spiritual, and mental batteries.

Almost unavoidably, many dogs are kept inside, behind high walls, or solid fences, and can’t identify the sources of the sounds and smells surrounding them. Fortunately, a daily walk outside keeps them oriented, and aware of natural stimuli. This stops them being frightened of strange sounds, and their alarmed barking at the slightest provocation. Since you and your dog form a pack, with you as the leader, your confidence in all areas of life is reassuring to them. There is no better opportunity to practice your calm and steady demeanour than out where life is full of thrilling new experiences.

3. Training

Taking dog treats with you to help train your dog to walk calmly next to you will provide faster results. Teaching new tricks makes the outing more stimulating than a simple stroll.

4. Socialisation

Companion dogs that spend a lot of time alone may either be lonely, fearful, and timid or hyperactive and destructive. Getting out on a walk frequently involves meeting other mutts and such socialising could help them shake off these behaviours and form friendships. Being pack animals, dogs learn acceptable conduct from other dogs. Properly managed, this can make the activity especially fun and reassuring for your canine chum. Regularly sharing a greeting, a smile, and a word or two with other dog walkers or cheerful neighbours also benefits the owner’s sense of community.

5. Mental Health

A relaxing walk improves the mental health of dogs and owners. People with balanced healthy lifestyles are less likely to suffer from serotonin deficiencies meaning that overall, their happiness levels are higher. The same applies to your pooch. Dogs become bored at home and walking provides vital stimulation for all their senses, particularly hearing, smell, and sight.

As many studies and personal experiences confirm, our mental health is improved by being out and exercising a bit with our furry friends. In response, we earn their unconditional devotion, which is known to have many positive influences on us and is a reward in itself.

As with humans, the amount of exercise a dog needs every day is dependent on age and health, but breed needs to be considered as well.

To make sure that your dog is getting exercise at home, consider these easy tips that will stimulate your dog both mentally and physically.

Mind Puzzles
Dogs love mental challenges. There is a great variety of dog puzzles and games to choose from or get creative. Cut several holes into a water bottle and put your dog’s favourite treats inside. Your dog has to spin the bottle around using its paws to make the treats fall out. The more holes you make in the bottle, the easier it will be for your dog to get the treats.          

Treat Dispensing Toys
These toys use the best motivation for your dog, namely tasty food! Treat dispensing toys usually dispense treats when your dog interacts with it.

Cup Game
Use several cups or bowls and allow your dog to watch you place a treat under one of them. Shuffle the cups thoroughly and let your dog find the one with the treat.

‘Which Hand’ Game
Hold a treat in your hand, close your fists and show both hands to your dog. Let your dog choose which hand the treat is in by sniffing your fists. Remember to reward your dog with the treat.

Stairs
Running up and down the stairs is great for building muscle. Make sure not to push your dog too hard, as this exercise is just as strenuous for dogs as it is for people. Take special care with dogs that have longer backs and shorter legs.

Hide-and-seek
This all-time favourite gets your pooch moving and provides great mental stimulation. Stash treats in hidden places in your home and teach your dog to find them. Make sure to change the hiding places to keep the game interesting. You can also play hide-and-seek together and tell your dog to sit in a room while you go hide, then call your dog and let them find you.

Treadmill
With careful training, your dog can learn to love treadmill workouts and build endurance. Do not leash your dog while exercising, just keep an eye on them and give them treats from the front end of the treadmill. 

Tug
Most pooches enjoy a game of tug which not only builds muscle, but also the human-animal bond. Make use of the wide variety of tug toys available or make your own. 

Agility
You don’t need a big space to create your own agility course. Make use of household supplies such as boxes, hula hoops, ottomans and broom handles.

Swimming
If you have a pool at home, swimming is great exercise, weather permitting. Swimming is also great for dogs with joint problems, as it provides low-impact exercise. Use a life jacket to help your dog stay in the water longer for workouts.

Fetch
Make it more interesting by alternating between balls, frisbees or other prized toys to keep your dog’s attention.

Obedience
Practising recall and retrieving and reinforcing basic commands offer mental stimulation as well as exercise. Spice up your dog’s life and teach him to do fun tricks such as twirling, weaving, high fiving, dancing, opening and closing doors or even speaking.

Give Your Dog a Job
If you’ve trained your pooch obedience, as well as the names of some household objects, give your dog some chores. You can teach your dog to gather clothes from the floor and take them to the laundry basket, to bring you things or to tidy up toys after playtime.

Sniffari
Take your dog on Sniffari in or around your home and turn their favourite activity into a rewarding game. Make use of mats, hula hoops, tents, chairs, tables, old shoes, boxes, feathers, twigs and different containers to add different dimensions and physical and tactile challenges. Present interesting odours (a little dried ginger powder, cinnamon or other non-toxic food smells) in different ways – up high, down low, under or behind obstacles, in tubs/boxes, laid out with plenty of space in between each obstacle. Make sure the items are safe and do not contain any substances toxic to dogs.

There are so many benefits associated with regularly walking your dog.

Simply taking dogs outside to do their business, however, doesn’t count as taking them for walks. Unfortunately this is the only time some dogs get to spend outdoors and it’s not enough.

WHY WALKING YOUR DOG IS SO IMPORTANT

When done daily and for an appropriate amount of time, this simple activity can have many positive effects that enhance overall well-being.

PHYSICAL HEALTH BENEFITS

General

• Removes toxins
• Slows down ageing
• Boosts immune system
• Can help alleviate or reduce skin conditions
• Improves mobility by keeping the joints active
• Reduces risk and/or severity of health conditions
• Detoxes the body by improving respiration as well as blood and lymph fluid circulation

Regular walks are good for a dog’s gastrointestinal and urinary systems and can help:

• Prevent constipation
• Prevent bladder infections
• Regulate the digestive tract

Regular walks help with weight management which in turn:

• Keeps obesity at bay
• Improves quality of life
• Increases life expectancy
• Reduces risk of heart problems
• Reduces risk or severity of osteoarthritis

MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS

Walks can help:

• Alleviate boredom
• Stimulate the mind
• Release excess energy
• Improve brain function
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Promote uninterrupted sleep at night
• Reduce or eliminate destructive behaviour

EMOTIONAL BENEFITS

Dog walks:

• Are a great way to give attention and quality time
• Strengthen the bond between dog and dog parent
• Can reduce or eliminate attention-seeking behaviours

BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE

Dog parents benefit greatly from dog walks as well as it:

• Improves one’s mood
• Gives one time to reset
• Motivates one to exercise
• Decreases anxiety and stress
• Can help you make new friends
• Promotes bone, joint and muscle health
• Is an activity with a reliable exercise buddy
• Can lead to more time in nature which increases well-being
• Promotes cardiovascular fitness and decreases risk for cardiovascular disease

WALKING YOUR DOG IN SUMMER

The season doesn’t change your dog’s need for exercise, but you do need to adjust your approach to ensure everyone’s safety.

If you’re wondering how to approach the subject of cat exercise, this article is for you.

HOW TO PLAY WITH YOUR CAT

Offer a variety of toys.

• Toys for solo play such as plush toys
• Toys for interactive play such as feathers
• Battery-operated toys for supervised play

Appropriate toys are wonderful because they: encourage cats to exercise; appeal to their predatory instincts; provide mental stimulation; and help prevent boredom and stress that can cause your cat to act out.

Provide objects to explore.

Cats are naturally curious and like to investigate. We already know cardboard boxes and paper bags in different shapes and sizes are great. For added fun, poke some holes in some of the boxes.

IMPORTANT: DON’T LEAVE PLASTIC BAGS LYING AROUND.

HOW LONG SHOULD PLAY SESSIONS BE?

How much playtime your cat needs depends on his or her age, weight, personality and existing health conditions.  

In general, health and behaviour experts reckon that daily playtime should range between a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 60 minutes. If your daily playtime is between 30 to 60 minutes, split the sessions up into 15-minute bursts.

Sticking to a schedule and staying consistent is recommended.

ADVICE ON PLAYING WITH CATS THAT HAVE HEALTH ISSUES

Gentle, gradual exercise is best for cats with health issues. After all, the goal is to promote well-being while avoiding injury.

Things to keep in mind while exercising your cat if he or she has health issues:

• Joint health
• Energy levels
• Breathing rate
• Vital signs such as heart rate.

To be safe, you should discuss your exercise routine with a veterinarian.

The answer to the question, ‘Do cats need exercise?’ is YES and mental stimulation is important as well.

With some cats, you may need to get creative. Luckily, boosting feline fitness through play is a great way to get your cat to exercise!

Here are a few exercises and activities that can be turned into games:

LET THE HUNT BEGIN!

Cats have predatory instincts. Often these instincts are dormant, but most kitties are ready to pounce when prompted.

One way to initiate exercise is to appeal to their inner hunter by presenting ‘prey’ and challenging them to ‘catch’ it.

You can use a plush toy to tease them for a while before throwing it. This way, they can enjoy the thrill of the chase and get rewarded for the ‘catch’.

RELY ON ROBOTS

Mechanical toys help keep your hands and feet out of play. Their unpredictability also adds to the appeal. The result? Challenging and stimulating play that, well, gets them to exercise.

Examples of battery-operated toys include:

• Toys that mimic the movements of mice
• Toys that fling strings around or dangle feathers
• Motion-activated objects such as balls moving in a closed circuit
• Objects filled with catnip that move around

Supervised play is advised for some toys, just in case.

CALLING ALL CAT APPS

There are smartphone and tablet apps that have been created for cats that can keep them busy for a while. Ask your veterinarian if it’s OK for your cat to use these apps and perhaps try to keep screen time to a minimum.

PUZZLE PLEASURES

Combine treats with puzzles for physical and mental exercise, complete with a reward.

You can purchase special toys or research DIY ideas for cost-effective solutions.

Exercise is good for cats, especially interactive play!

Here are some fun exercises your cat will probably love:

Plus One, Please

When it comes to exercise, cats are more likely to get some if they have a friendly feline friend to chase and wrestle with.

Lots of Toys

Toys can really promote play. The key is to have lots of options. Opt for inexpensive DIY items as well, such as jingle balls in plastic bottles.

To the Tower!

Cat towers with several tiers can work really well. They encourage cats to climb and play and they often have a space for resting.

Kitty Hockey

So simple: Get a large box or just use your bathtub, insert a ball and presto: you have a hockey rink for Ringo.

Let the Laser Lead the Way

Laser pointers tend to really get cats moving. Just be sure to always avoid the eyes and offer a ‘catchable’ toy after play as a reward.

With the Wave of a Wand

Features to look for: a flexible wand with a ‘target’ attached to it. Think feathers or fake mouse. It’s basically fishing for cats. It’s easy to make your own as well.

Supervised Treadmill Time

Ideally, start young and entice them with toys. Just don’t leave your cat alone while the treadmill is still running.

Go for a Walk

Cats can be trained to wear a harness and leash for walks. If you’re keen to try it, use safe, comfortable equipment and research appropriate leash training methods.

A is for Agility

Dogs and horses are not the only ones that can be trained to use an agility course. This exercise is especially great for cats with lots of energy. Build or buy a safe obstacle course that offers a variety of challenges. Think tunnels, ramps…

There are several reasons why cats need exercise and they are all tied to well-being.

PHYSICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

1. Improves overall health and wellness
2. Can increase lifespan: healthy cats live longer
3. Keeps body weight in check: healthy weight = better, longer life
4. Tones and strengthens muscles: the muscular system is one of the largest systems in a cat’s body

Besides struggling to reach their favourite resting spots, overweight and obese cats are at higher risk of diseases and conditions. Examples of health problems often found in overweight and obese cats include arthritis, breathing problems, diabetes mellitus and urinary tract disease. There is also an increased risk of medical complications during surgery.

EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

Disguising exercise as play is a great way to boost your cat’s well-being.

Decent playtime achieves the following:

1. Keeps the mind active and alert: staying sharp is important
2. Offers enjoyment and entertainment: cats are fun creatures
3. Doubles as important bonding time which is also good for your health
4. Provides challenges to help prevent boredom and mischief: cats are intelligent
5. Helps relieve stress: unchecked stress and anxiety can lead to behavioural issues

So, in a nutshell, cats need exercise to stay happy and healthy.