Did you know that January is walk your pet month? However, this does not mean that this is the only time of the year you should make it a point to walk your dog. Here at Rock Road Animal Hospital, we want to encourage all dog owners to try to take their dog for a walk at least a few times a week, if not daily. There are many health benefits associated with walking your dog, and learning about these benefits may help you to realize why it is so important. Here are a few of the top benefits of walking your dog regularly.
IT HELPS MAINTAIN YOUR PET’S WEIGHT
One of the biggest benefits associated with walking your dog is that it helps your pet to maintain a healthy weight. Pets who do not get enough exercise are at higher risk of becoming overweight or obese than pets that do exercise regularly. Being overweight carries many health risks for your pet, including joint problems, diabetes, and a shortened life. By regularly walking your dog, you can ensure that he will get the exercise he needs to stay at a healthy weight and live a healthier life.
WALKING KEEPS YOUR DOG AGILE AND LIMBER
The second benefit associated with regularly taking your dog for a walk is that it helps your dog to stay agile and limber. If your dog lays around all day, his muscles and joints are not getting the exercise that they need in order to maintain their strength and flexibility. When you take your dog for a walk, you are ensuring that the muscles and limbs in his body are getting worked. And if you have an older dog, don’t forego walking simply due to age. Simply decrease the distance you walk to help keep older pets limber.
WALKING IMPROVES YOUR DOG’S SOCIALIZATION SKILLS
One of the more overlooked benefits of walking your dog is that it helps to improve your dog’s socialization skills. When you take a dog for a walk, he will be seeing other dogs, cats, people, cars, and bicyclists. This allows him to get used to all of the different behaviors and activities associated with other people and animals. If you have a dog that barks at people, dogs or other elements, taking him on walks in a controlled environment can help him become accustomed to them.
MINIMIZES BOREDOM AND DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR
The last benefit of walking your dog is that it minimizes boredom and destructive behavior in dogs. If your dog whines, barks, howls, chews or destroys your house while you are away, he could be bored. Taking him on regular walks helps to cure this boredom and decrease these behaviors.
Walking your dog regularly can help him to maintain his weight, keep him agile and limber, improve his socialization skills and minimize boredom. All in all, walking helps your dog to live a healthier, longer and happier life. In addition to regular walks, your dog also needs routine vet care to live a long, happy and healthy life. If it has been a year or longer since his last appointment, now is the time to have him seen again.
We would love to see and treat your pet here at Rock Road Animal Hospital. Call us today to schedule your appointment!
