It’s National Walk Your Dog Week, and what better way to celebrate than taking a walk in the brisk outdoors. Maybe you have slacked off lately; no problem, it’s never too late to start a new routine.
40% of dogs in the United States are overweight! That’s close to 17 million dogs! Does your dog fall into this category? If so, now is a perfect time to establish or re-establish a routine exercise program.
National Walk Your Dog Week was founded in 2010 to help raise awareness of canine obesity. The goal of this fun and healthy holiday is to help improve the health and well-being of pets.
According to the Better Health Channel, regular exercise is good for both your health and your dog’s health and can be great fun. There’s nothing like an exercise partner who’s waiting by the door with a wagging tail to keep you motivated!
Dog owners enjoy numerous health and social benefits by walking their dogs a few times a week. These benefits include:
*Improved cardiovascular fitness
*Lower blood pressure
*Strengthened muscles and bones
*Decreased stress levels
Regular walks can reduce obesity in your dog which can lower his risks of osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and diabetes.
Most dogs need to be walked at least once each day, though some dogs, particularly very active dogs, may require more. The breed of dog you have, as well as his level of fitness and age, will determine how long and how vigorous your walk should be.
A walk can make a dog very happy. They love to check out the sights and smells and will really look forward to spending time with you. A dog that doesn’t receive sufficient exercise can easily become bored or destructive.
For more health benefits of dog walking, click here.
To help you celebrate, stop in, and check out our selection of great collars & leashes for your next trip outside.
Leave a Reply