7 Reasons Exercise is Important for Your Dog
You want the best for your dog, but sometimes it can be difficult to meet all of their needs. Depending on your schedule and your living arrangement it can be hard to get your dog the exercise they need to be at their best. A lot of people don’t realize how much exercise their dog needs and the negative effects that happen when those needs aren’t met. There are many important reasons why your dog needs exercise, some are obvious, while others may not be so clear-cut.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is as important for a dog as it is for their owners. Just like with humans, when dogs are overweight, it can lead to adverse health issues. Some of these issues can be irreversible and end up costing you a lot of money over time. The worst of the worst, problems like diabetes, can shorten your pup’s life, cost you a ton of money in vet bills and medicine, and inconvenience you by taking time out of your day to administer medicine. Combined with a healthy diet, adequate exercise fights off obesity, illness, and disease all of which lengthen and enhance the quality of life of your best friend.
Release Excess Energy
Anyone who has ever had a puppy or high energy dog knows that it doesn’t take a lot of time for them to turn the house into a horror show. There is more than one reason behind this behavior, but excess energy is high on this list. If your dog does not get enough exercise that energy gets bottled up and released in not so great ways like destroying throw pillows and turning shoes into chew toys. It is not a cure-all but getting rid of some of that energy through exercise may save some of your favorite possessions from being shredded.
Prevent Unwanted Behavior
If your dog is in need of exercise chewing on your belongings may be the worst of your worries. Chronic lack of exercise will lead to anything from minor annoyances like knocking over the garbage or tearing up the yard to more concerning behaviors like play biting and aggressive jumping and playing. Keeping your dog exercised is good for their mental health as well as yours.
Healthy Body
Maintaining a healthy weight is only one part of the equation when it comes to exercise and the overall health of your dog. Just like in humans, adhering to a regular exercise routine has health benefits through the roof. Exercise prevents the loss of muscle that all animals experience as the age and also helps to combat arthritis and diminish arthritis pain if it has already set in. It also helps to regulate hormones an eliminate toxins from the body. Exercise pretty much keeps the entire body in check from the inside out, and when your dog feels good, it will show in their demeanor.
Healthy Mind
Exercising is not only great for your pup’s body, but it is also wonderful for their mind too. Exercise releases feel-good endorphins that lower stress and leave your dog feeling content. Exercise stimulates the brain in many ways including satisfying curiosities and engaging in problem-solving. All of this helps to keep your dog healthy and happy.
Build Trust
Just like humans, dogs react to the world around them. This is true of all dogs, but dogs who have been in the shelter for a while or have been rescued from unfortunate circumstances may have a hard time adjusting to new surroundings or trusting that people, places, and things around them are safe. Regular walks allow them to explore their environments in comfortable conditions and understand that they are safe.
Better Sleep
Sleep is as important to dogs as it is to humans and they can suffer from lack of sleep too. Just like in humans, when dogs get adequate exercise, they sleep better. Good sleep improves quality of life, increases waking energy, fights illness, and keeps your pup out of trouble. It also reduces the chances of your pup waking you up in the middle of the night which is a definite plus. The benefits of exercise for your dog are nearly endless. It not only improves their health and quality of life, but it helps your quality of life too. It allows you to enjoy your dog to the fullest without those pesky problems that over-energetic dogs are known to cause.
Written by Arthur Thares