January is National Walk Your Pet Month, which means it is time to go out there and get active with your pet! The more active your pet is, the better, especially when it comes to his health. Active pets are generally healthier and happier than those who spend all their time lying around the house. Whether you choose to walk, chase each other around the house or go out and throw the ball around, spending time moving with your pet will help promote his health in a number of ways.
Maintaining Weight
This may be the most obvious benefit to exercising your pet, but it is also one of the most important. Overweight pets experience a number of health problems and ultimately tend to live shorter lives than their more fit counterparts. Adequate exercise can help your pet maintain his weight and overall health.
Positive Behavior Changes
The more active your pet is, the less likely he is to exhibit negative behaviors, such as chewing, scratching, biting or barking. If he is regularly burning energy, he won’t have pent up frustration that can lead to these negative behaviors. His mental health will benefit from more activity, as will your furniture and yard!
Better Sleep
Active pets sleep better. This is because they spend all day getting their energy out, making them more likely to be tired by the time you are ready for bed. Just like humans, good sleep has many health benefits for pets, helping them reset and recharge for the next day.
Overall Better Physical Health
Exercise has a number of physical benefits for pets. With adequate exercise, your four-legged friend will have a healthier heart, lungs, joints, and digestive and circulatory systems. This will help improve his quality of life and longevity.
When increasing activity with your pet, be mindful of their limits. Just as no activity is harmful, too much activity can also have negative effects. Speak with your vet to determine the ideal activity level of your pet and the best way to increase it without overexerting them. With the right amount of exercise, a healthy diet and a lot of love from their owners, pets can live longer, healthier lives.
