Let’s tackle an important question: how much activity does your pet dog need? While we would like to provide you with a solid number you can just abide by, it’s unfortunately not that simple.
There are numerous factors you have to consider in order to determine the appropriate amount of activity for your dog. Those essential factors are discussed in greater detail below.
Current Condition
The first factor you must consider when determining how long your pet should exercise is his/her current condition.
Injured pets are obviously going to have a tougher time moving around. Asking them to exercise for prolonged periods of time is not a good idea. It could even be detrimental to their health.
You should also take it easy on dogs who are not used to exercising. Moving around more can be shocking to their body and result in them encountering some health issues.
Keep activity light early on. Wait until your pet is stronger before ramping them up.
Breed Can Determine Level of Activity
The specific breed of your dog must also be considered when you’re putting together an activity plan.
According to PetMD, short-nosed breeds don’t require a lot of activity. You can entrust them to a dog walker or take them around the block yourself and that should represent a pretty good workout.
In contrast, herding or hunting dogs need a more rigorous exercise regimen. They will need about 30 minutes of activity every day to remain in good condition.
Age
Age will also play a role in how much activity is recommended for your pet. For adult dogs, you can refer to their breed and condition to determine the amount of activity they need.
Where it gets trickier is with younger and older dogs.
Younger dogs tend to need more activity. It’s not just about keeping them healthy too. Activity is important for pups because it expends their near boundless energy.
If you have a young pup at home, consider going on multiple walks with them. The American Kennel Club cautions against going on a single walk for too long because doing so can be bad for the pup’s developing body.
As for your senior pets, you generally want to scale back the amount of activity they’re getting. If you were taking your dog for 25-minute walks before, consider scaling it down to a 20-minute walk. You don’t want to push your dog’s older body to its limit so err on the side of caution whenever the two of you head out.
When TAILored Pet Services takes your dog for a walk, we take into account the three factors in this article (current condition, breed and age) to ensure that your dog exercises safely. Text/call us at 425-923-7791 or send an email through our website to sign up for our services.
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