With the weather getting warmer its a perfect time to get your pets outdoors and doing some activities. Pet parents should know what exercise their pet requires to maintain or improve their physical and mental health.
Dr. Amber Karwacki of Heart + Paw has provided information on the importance of petsercise, factors to consider, and how pet parents can join in!
Pet parents, of both cats and dogs, should know how much exercise their furry friend needs to maintain their physical and mental health. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than 55% of cats and dogs were classified as overweight or obese in 2018. Petsercise can decrease the risk of obesity, lengthen the lifespan, and improve the mental stimulation of both cats and dogs, as well as pet parents exercising with their pets.
Contributing factors include age and breed. Pets have the most energy when they are younger and need to exert this energy with proper physical activity. Puppies can get a case of the “zoomies”, which usually includes intense bursts of energy, like running around the house or yard, followed by exhaustion. Adult and senior pets have a lower energy level and might not be able to do the physical activities they once could. It is important for adult and senior pets to still get some much needed exercise in. Your veterinarian can recommend what is a suitable amount of physical activity for your furry best friend. A pet’s breed determines the amount of physical activity they will need based on the breed’s energy level. For example, Labradors and German Shorthaired Pointers have high energy levels and require more exercise than breeds with lower energy levels, like Bulldogs and Spaniels. Typically breeds that are larger in size need more physical activity to keep them happy and healthy. Breeds with shortened snouts such as Bulldogs and Pugs may have trouble staying oxygenated during more intense activity.
