17 January 2020
Did you know that over half of dogs are overweight? Obesity in dogs is definitely a HEAVY problem. Don’t sweat it, if you follow our simple recommendations below, you’ll be on track to conquering your fitness goals with your dog and ensuring they are getting enough exercise.
Let’s get right into it!
Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is critical in ensuring they have a happier and longer life. That said, every dog is different, which is why their exercise requirements are too. Age, weight, breed size, and energy levels all play an important role in determining your dog’s physical activity requirements.
Here are some telltale signs that your dog is not getting an adequate amount of daily exercise:
Dog owners often go by the general rule of 30 minutes a day. This, however, may not be enough for your dog. Before consulting our exercise guidelines below, please note that certain breeds and life stages have different exercise requirements. For instance, puppies, large breeds, flat-faced breeds and seniors may have different needs than those included in the section titled “Minimum Daily Exercise Requirements by Breed.”
Once puppies are fully vaccinated, they should be walked daily to promote healthy development. Generally, puppies should be walked five minutes per month of age, twice a day. Therefore, if your puppy is three months old, they should be walked 15 minutes twice a day.
Large breeds include German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Labradors, etc. These breeds are more prone to hip and orthopedic problems which is why ensuring proper, healthy exercise is the right way to go. If your dog is experiencing hip problems or is prone to them, you should consult with your vet to inform yourself on safe exercises for your dog.
We all love our pugs and English bulldogs, but with cute faces comes responsibility! Flat-faced breeds are prone to breathing problems and troubles exercising. Proper exercise is especially important for these breeds since extra weight can cause breathing problems to worsen. It is recommended to exercise these dogs in shorter but more frequent sessions. Let your dog have more “free” time to play and rest as it wishes. You may also find it beneficial to introduce some puzzle games to your pet to keep their brains stimulated and bpdy moving. If your pup is packing a couple extra pounds, try reducing the amount of treats you give them.
Although older, seniors still require a good amount of exercise to promote good mobility and overall health. Apart from walks, your senior pooch may enjoy swimming. Swimming is a great form of exercise that puts less strain on sore joints. Keeping their minds active with games, training and socializing are also important to keep them mentally stimulated.
*These guidelines serve only as approximations and may not be accurate for your individual dog’s exercise requirements.
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