The Importance Of Staying Active Not Only For You, But For Your Dog Too!

The Importance Of Staying Active Not Only For You, But For Your Dog Too!

Welcome to 2021! Going into the new year, one of the most popular resolutions was to 'exercise more'... It's pretty much the most popular resolution every single year! Not only is it important for humans to get exercise, but their dogs should, too! Dogs are naturally active creatures. Just like us humans, they also need regular physical activity included in their routine to live a healthy life. If you aspire to be healthier and bond with your canine, then staying active with your dog is a win-win!

It is important to note that staying active is a necessity, not only does it improve wellbeing, but it also helps with mental health. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 adults don’t get the required amount of exercise and these adults have a 20 to 30 percent increased risk of death than active adults. In addition to that, according to a study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) more than half of the cats and dogs population are overweight or obese which means they lack exercise. These health problems can be remedied through getting enough exercise each day and how else would it be done but with the help of your dog. That way, you get to have physical exercise and bond with your furry best friend at the same time!

Benefits of Staying Active With Your Dog

People who stay active with their dogs will have a longer and happier life

According to a study by BMC Public Health, dog owners get more exercise than people who didn’t own a dog. They also mentioned that pet ownership can lead to a longer life since having a companion can result in lower rates of depression and stress and can protect against cardiovascular diseases. So, spending quality time with man’s best friend will improve all aspects of one's health. We all want our dog's to be as happy as could be - so this is one way to ensure they will be!

Prevent obesity and maintain weight

Sitting all day with limited motion and without proper nutrition will ultimately lead to an unhealthy lifestyle... The same goes for your dog. Both owners and their dogs need to exercise to fight obesity and stay healthy. All dogs need some form of physical activity regardless of their breed or age, but the amount of exercise they require varies from different factors such as breed, age, and weight, or as suggested by the veterinarian.  

Promotes a stronger bond

The bond between humans and animals can be strengthened by interaction. Playing fetch, frisbee, walking, exploring nature, and socializing with other dogs will help to strengthen your relationship with your furry friend. There's nothing better than become best friends with your dog! They may be a part of your life, but to them you're their whole life.

More physical activity

Dogs are great motivators for physical activity and that goes both ways with owners. A couple of short walks a day can make a big difference in overall health. According to a study on Nature.com, dog owners are almost four times more likely to meet the required physical activity! Plus, most dog breeds absolutely love staying as active as possible!

No more bad behavior

Destructive behavior is common in dogs with inadequate amounts of physical activity. The energy dogs contain must be spent with physical activity and mental stimulation. If dogs have enough exercise, then they are less likely to destroy furniture, chew shoes, and ruin your lawn.

You may be able to sleep better

After the day has ended, it’s time to wind down and rest. If dogs have had the correct amount of exercise they needed during the day, then dozing off would not be a problem. That would ensure the best quality of sleep since there would be less chance of your dog waking you up in the middle of your slumber!

Better social life

In life, we all need to socialize, form relationships, and bond with people. That fact also applies with dogs which is why dog parks exist, to unite dogs and dog lovers alike. Giving dogs the chance to socialize with other dogs would not only help them form new bonds, but also the dog owners as well. You never know who you can meet out and about!

Be one with nature

Now that there are more reasons to stay indoors, we don’t get enough exposure to mother nature. The smell of fresh air and hearing the sound of leaves rustling are some of the most relaxing experiences that nature has to offer. Dogs are instinctively curious, having the opportunity to explore and see the world through scent would mean the world to them! Once in a while, it’s a good idea to unwind and appreciate nature as it sparks the inner explorer in us.

How much exercise do dogs need?

Generally speaking, working dogs and larger dogs have more energy, hence why they need more exercise as opposed to smaller or toy breeds who need less physical activity. 15 to 60 minutes of activity is ideal and as much as possible, exercise should be a part of dogs’ routine twice a day. Medium and large dogs are fit for long-distance running while smaller dogs are better suited for walking and running for a shorter distance.

The activities must also be varied. Mixing things up would maintain you and your dog’s interest... For example, you can walk 3 times a week, jog two times a week, visit the dog park once a week, and on other days, you can engage in swimming! The schedule would be interchangeable according to your needs.

It is important to remember that dogs have different capacities when it comes to physical abilities. If you’re just starting out with exercising your dog, then take things slowly at first and give your dog’s body time to rest and gradually increase the amount of exercise they get. Just like us humans, they have limitations and a sudden increase in exercise would result to sore muscles or injury. If you are not sure which activity to start with or how much exercise your dog needs, then consulting with your dog's veterinarian is your best bet to ensure their safety.

List of physical activities that you can do with dogs

Walking and running tend to be the main form of exercise with dogs, however, there are tons of other super fun activities to choose from, such as:

• Training routines
• Jumping
• Playing with interactive toys
• Scent games
• Playing fetch
• Swimming
• Laser light chasing
• Having a doggie playdate
• Visiting the dog park
• Searching for hidden items

Conclusion of Why Staying Active With Your Dog is Important

There are countless benefits in having an active lifestyle with your dog... You'll have better physical and mental health, a stronger bond with your furry friend, a thriving social life, less undesirable behavior, and better weight control - just to name some of them! In this day in age where people are sedentary for the most part of their work, we need dogs as motivators to get up and be active.

So, what are you waiting for!? Get out in the beautiful outdoors with your dog and see what nature has to offer! Make sure to send us photos from your adventures! Tag us on Instagram @LordJameson and use the hashtag #LordJameson.

Thank you so much for reading this blog and we hope you have some super awesome outdoor adventures!