Apart from good nutrition, one thing which ensures excellent health in dogs is regular physical activity. All dogs need exercise to keep strong muscles, prevent obesity, improve mobility, and reduce the risk of injuries. However, the amount of exercise a dog needs varies with factors like breed, age, lifestyle, etc.
In this blog, you will see some highly essential tips which will help you determine the ideal amount of exercise your pet dogs need. So let us begin,
1) Know Your Dog Breed
One of the significant factors that determine the exercise level of your dog is their breed type. Not all breeds require the same amount of physical activity. Dogs like Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, etc, need a good amount of exercise as they are active dogs. At the same time, small breed dogs like Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Dachshund, Pug, Pomeranian, etc. can be contended with a daily walking session of 30 minutes per day.
2) Your Dog’s Age
Exercise requirement also varies significantly with a dog’s age. For example, puppies are highly energetic, and they need short, frequent bursts of exercise and play. But they lack endurance. This is why they can’t play for too long. Whereas adult dogs can play for more hours, and they also like mental stimulation from dog toys. When it comes to senior dogs, they lead a sedentary lifestyle due to their low energy levels and hence need a little exercise daily to keep in good health.
3) Focus on Individual Needs
While breed and age are general factors for exercise, dog owners need to focus on the individual needs of the dogs too. For instance, some dogs may be drawn more towards activities like fetching, swimming, and running. Other dogs may like a stroll in the park and exploring the things outside. Owners need to take care of these specific needs of the dogs as it is vital for ensuring superb health in them.
4) Daily Duration of Exercise
As a rule of thumb, most dogs need at least 30 minutes of physical activity. However, the intensity and type of activity will depend on the age, breed, and health status of the dog. High energetic breeds like Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, etc., need 2 hours of physical activity daily while smaller dogs like Shih Tzu, Pug, Dachshund etc are satisfied with 1 hour of play. You can divide their sessions multiple times a day to prevent tiredness and exhaustion in them.
5) Don’t Ignore Mental Stimulation
While talking about exercising dogs, one can’t ignore mental stimulation. Dogs are intelligent creatures who need mental exercise from time to time to prevent boredom, stress and anxiety. This is especially crucial when you are out of the house for some time. To provide good mental stimulation to dogs, you can give them Interactive dog toys, which are excellent for keeping your dogs engaged and improving their brain health.
In a Nutshell,
You have seen five essential factors that will help you determine the exercise needs of your dog. It is also important not to overexert your dog, as it can be highly harmful to them. If you see signs like excessive panting, fatigue, and reluctance to exercise, know that your dog is overworked. If these signs persist, consult your vet without any delay. Remember to give them access to fresh water always and offer proper rest to them daily.
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