The Importance of Physical Activity for Pets

1. Introduction

The importance of physical activity for pets: Physical activity is just as essential for pets as it is for humans. Approximately 55% of dogs and cats are overweight or obese. Physical activity benefits pets in many ways. For a dog, the duration and intensity of physical activity depend on a variety of factors including breed, age, overall health, and the season. Nonetheless, all dogs will benefit from walking, running, playing, and working with their owners. A properly exercised dog is a better companion and is less likely to have behavioral problems. In this essay, a few of the benefits of physical activity for pets, particularly dogs, are outlined.

The diagram is an analysis of the benefits of physical activity for dogs. For dogs who suffer from regular separation anxiety, excessive barking, gnawing, nesting, or pacing, physical activity can help prevent or reduce such problems. The mental and physical advantages of physical activity, if any, will vary depending on the dog. The safer, eat better, and emotional advantages may apply to anyone. The WAG code of practice for the safe rehoming of a pet suggests that pet owners should provide enough opportunities for interaction between the pet and the holder, healthy levels of daily exercise, and the ability to explore mentally. The Kennel Club recommends a 30-minute walk each morning and a second 15-20-minute walk in the evening for dogs six months of age and older. Also, it is likely to exclude the ears as sapience on a buildup of cerumen (wax) which can trap bacteria/garbage and lead to otitis externa (inflammation or an ear infection).

2. Benefits of Physical Activity for Pets

Physical activity is important for the welfare of our pets. Physical exercise is necessary for good physical health, helping to maintain a good body weight and preventing overweight and obesity conditions, in addition to diseases such as diabetes and arthritis. Physical exercise also releases endorphins and helps to climb and strengthen the muscles, keeping our pets structurally and functionally sound. Physical activity also strengthens the immune system of our pets and aids them in a better fight against various diseases. Pets need to engage in a variety of activities besides the sedentary lifestyle to keep them busy. A tired pet is less likely to have behavioral problems and is under control.

Activity is important and effective for pets' mental health. It helps to reduce stress and anxiety, which occurs for various reasons such as new routines, noise intolerance, separation anxiety, and unused energy. In addition, it provides a close relationship with the owner. Pets and owners get a chance to spend time together and promote bonding. When pets' real essence comes out, the relationship can deepen through play, encouraging a spirit of cooperation and teamwork between pets and owners. It is important to enrich the environmental conditions of all animals because this will provide different stimuli at different times. Some animal experts say that it is often most important.

2.1. Physical Health

We know that physical activity is important for humans. But have you ever looked into the benefits of keeping your pet physically active? All domesticated pets, no matter whether they live indoors or have limited access to the outside world, benefit from regular exercise.

Beyond the mental benefits, exercise is also good for pets on a purely physical level. Being active helps our pets to stay physically fit. Their strength, endurance, and agility are kept at an optimal level well into old age, if they are regularly and well exercised. This is why service dogs, for instance, are only retired after they have reached old age. Their level of physical activity helps to keep them in good, working condition. Regular, moderate movement – and we do recommend that it’s moderate, for both your and your pet’s safety — also helps to maintain an optimal weight. This is important in preventing weight-related health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Musculature and skeletal strength can also be impacted if your pet is overweight or obese. In fact, arthritis (inflammation of one or more joints) is commonly seen as a result of these health conditions. Regularly exercising your pet can help them keep their weight under control.

A few specific examples help illustrate the link between exercise and good general health: Most cats like to climb on high surfaces, to be able to view their environment. By ensuring that there are places for your cat to climb (safely!), you are encouraging good musculature and skeletal health. Climbing to a height requires good fitness and agility as cats pull themselves upwards using their forequarters. Jumping, rather than using a set of steps to access a high platform, takes even more effort. Just one leap takes a lot of power and agility and can also help cats to sustain a good level of fitness. All of these activities can help to keep cats fit and agile. If they overeat, then regular exercise will also help to keep their weight at a healthy level.

2.2. Mental Health

A second area of general health to be enhanced by physical activity is mental health. tells of research, which has demonstrated that both humans and animals produce neurochemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine, which have been shown to create a feeling of well-being. These natural stimulants help to reduce depression and anxiety. Unlike humans who often eat or shop to increase their production of these "feel good" chemicals, animals need to be physically active to get the same results. Thus when a pet has the "downs," increasing their activity to "exercise" tends to reduce their symptoms and increase their spirits. Signs of this in animals include more tail wagging, leaping and cavorting. The comparing the effects of taking 26 dog owners for a 20-minute walk with their dog over those seen on 26 owners who walk either with another person or without a dog. In another study took a group of eight autistic children with severe-to-profound autism, aged 4 to 13 years, and their specially trained autism service dogs to the park for an experiment that included activities such as throwing a Frisbee, playing soccer and swimming. The dogs served as a comfort, helping to bond these children with other playmates, significantly reducing stress and anxiety in both the special needs children and in the dogs.

"Helping to reduce anxiety levels is especially important in cats. In modern stressful households veterinarians are beginning to find the number one reason for unwanted euthanasias is due to inappropriate elimination and aggression, and stress and anxiety are contributing factors to this problem. "For homes where people are gone all day it's estimated that one of three cats may be chewing up the furniture" according to a Physical exercise can also reduce depression. Numerous studies have shown a trend to fewer findings of depression as the amount of physical activity increases. Also, previous depressive episodes may be reduced by promoting physical activity. For example, using a hamster or a treadmill, it has been found that the hamster with the opportunity to exercise a wheel demonstrates significant hippocampal neurogenesis. It is believed that is part of the reason that exercise does to humans has been shown to reduce some depression, such as anxiety. Anything that enhances natural behaviors tends to improve the animal's state of mental health. The brain, nerves, and emotions that were promoted by genetics related to the animals were intended to be utilized in a positive way, just as it has for mankind.

2.3. Behavioral Benefits

Improved Behavior

In general, regular exercise can reduce boredom and destructive behavior. Pets who do not engage in play and interaction are often lazy and more prone to negative behavioral activity like scratching furniture, barking at birds, and meowing at unseen objects. This is not to say that cats who are more active are problem-free. It can also be a really good thing to provide a few minutes of play before leaving the house. Exercise/movement lets your pet release energy, making it less likely that he will turn toward, while getting good pain-increasing dogs to move can help rebuild or increase muscle mass lost due to under-exercise. Playtime with pets helps increase happiness and strengthens the bones of both animals and humans. Exercise and playtime make your pet free from internal discomfort and reduce mental stress which can increase bad temperament.

A major behavior problem found in pet shelters is poor housetraining behavior. One of the reasons pets act this way is that they do not have enough activities to help them dissipate uncontrolled energy. Animals have different needs and interests, so letting them play with appropriate playthings in their best way and at the right time can alleviate some of the damaging behaviors. It also gives you a great time to come near you and gives positive attention instead of being punished all the time. Engaging with pets is often a way to maintain disciplinary behavior even in harsh environments. Not all puppies benefit from completely free movement. The voluntary movement of some dogs can lead others to new approaches for housetraining difficulties, if not under the full influence of clicks, electrolytes or all physical movement. Some dogs are particularly frightened or aggressive and lose their pet masters' areas of dominance or want to share common playtime activities. These dogs may not be able to walk freely in your home or may not walk in the protected area. Dogs must be exercised to maintain health and remain calm until counseling is available.

3. How to Incorporate Physical Activity into Your Pet's Routine

When getting your pet started on an activity, consider their life stage, health, body condition, and preferences when choosing activities that will work for them. For instance, kittens are more likely to play many times throughout the day while an older cat may tire out more quickly but continue to enjoy short playtimes. Offer fresh, clean water for your pet during and after playing. Pets need time to get used to something new or different in their environment, so start slowly by making each session a part of the routine and keeping it simple by focusing on one activity or lessening the degree of the activity.
Choose realistic activities. While it'd be nice to believe every pet can be a serious athlete, that's not always the case. For some animals, five minutes of play is equivalent to an all-out sprint. Trust their abilities and stop when they are satisfied. Include an activity in your regular day. This will help your pet get into the habit of getting active, leading to more movement in the long run. Timing will vary by pet, so try different times of day to see what works with your unique animal. Be consistent. Doing a little bit regularly is better for your pet, and it'll help you build a habit, plus they will learn what to expect! When incorporated as part of a routine, short breaks for physical activity can be easier to maintain. Try to progress activities over time as your pet gets used to them. Keep things novel with new toys and new games to play, and make those changes incrementally to avoid overwhelming your pet.

3.1. Choosing the Right Activities

When selecting activities, pet owners should consider their individual pet's needs. This will be affected by many variables, including the breed of their pet, the age of their pet, and the personality of their pet. For example, a high-energy breed of dog will need more exercise than a low-energy breed. A senior cat will have different physical capabilities than a kitten. Some pets may want to chase a laser pointer around the house, while others may not show much interest in activity at all. Pet owners should set realistic goals for increasing their pet's exercise, especially in the case of very sedentary pets.

Many pets, especially older pets and cats, require playtime and activity to be interspersed throughout the day instead of at only one scheduled time. Those pets respond better to daily "quality time" with their owner over a 5-15 minute play session, as well. Another factor to consider is the body type and breed of a pet. For some breeds and body types, running or walking may not be advisable until after a pet has been seen by a veterinarian to rule out orthopedic problems. Pet owners also need to be aware of the weather in their area when considering activities. For example, giving a Newfoundland or Malamute a 15-30 minute walk in the summer heat may not be advisable, and a Greyhound may need a short walk during the day in addition to a warm coat in the winter.

3.2. Creating a Schedule

The next critical component to any typical pet's day is having a structured schedule. The pet owner or pet sitter should have a consistent time for meals, snacks, exercise, mental stimulation, and bedtime. Since the pet owner or pet sitter is not home all day, the entire schedule might not fall into place just right. This is especially true for when the owner or sitter works late or is scheduling an evening out with their friends. Dinner time may need to get moved an hour later or the pet may need to get fed two hours earlier. The second most challenging aspect of the schedule would be whether the pet is exercised and fed before or after the owner is home from work or after dinner.

For activities as crucial as physical activities, it is just as imperative that timing stays regular. Pets often have an internal timing schedule and appetite. Dogs will routinely come to the owner for dinner or snacks at certain times during the day. Cats not so much. The pet must eat and digest for an hour before any excessive physical activity is initiated. If the owner is just coming home from dinner at 8pm and the pets need to eat first and be walked, the pets may be out until 9 or 10pm. Therefore, the pet minder needs to play with the pets and provide mental and physical stimulation to keep them entertained and calm.

3.3. Tips for Consistency

Consistency—the psychological discipline of adhering and complying with a behavioral change and a program can be challenging. The current fast-paced society we live in can sometimes alter our schedules and our plans to take a pet for a walk or for some type of exercise. Some days, the weather can be uncooperative or outside activities can seem drier than the daily walk living room floor. Keeping pets' weight within a healthy range can often serve as a source of motivation to stay physically active. This area can often converge with the first area of motivation: health.

If an individual is having problems staying consistent, the problem needs to be identified. Do people have spare equipment in an accessible location that will make physical activity more convenient? Do pets start to lose motivation after engaging in an activity for a while? What other reasons could be hindering consistency? Finding ways to resolve proclaims may be challenging for some but will help over the long haul. For example, finding a time when the owner has the greatest activity may help the pet share the motivation to be more physically active. Placing home pets in a crate when not home, shining dishes by hand, taking a pet with you to pick up a child from school or run errands, working out in pairs are all practical activities that could help ensure consistency in your daily physical routine. Pet owners need to regularly reassess the benefits of keeping pets consistent in the home fat management program to support motivation.

4. Common Mistakes to Avoid

However, there are a few common pitfalls that pet owners should make sure to avoid when trying to get their animals to be more active. On the other hand, by avoiding these mistakes, pet owners can avoid running into problems and help ensure a beneficial outcome for their pet.

One of the most frequent errors pet owners make when attempting to include physical activity in their pet's life is assuming that all pets will enjoy the same activities. Just as some people love a certain sport or activity while other people get bored or even feel distressed at the thought of engaging in the same activity, pets are all different when it comes to their likes and dislikes. For example, while one dog might love going on long walks every day, another might get very bored, find the walks to be too much work, or even feel anxious if they are out for too long. So when choosing an activity, it's important to make sure that the pet will actually enjoy participating in it.

Another mistake that pet owners often make is allowing pets to engage in activities that exceed their abilities. In some cases, this means allowing an animal who has been seen by a veterinarian and is known to have a medical condition that limits their ability to exercise to remain sedentary. But it could also entail trying to get a heavy dog to go for a three-hour hike when the dog is used to lying around for most of the day. In either case, exceeding the pet's current abilities can lead to a variety of health problems, and might discourage you from trying to include physical activity in your pet's lifestyle in the future.

5. Conclusion

An increased understanding of the science and behaviors behind pet nutrition and activity has influenced experts to endorse specific types of activities and actual levels of caloric expenditure for cats and dogs. As pet owners become increasingly interested and informed about the importance of nutrition for their pets, they are more willing and able to make not only financial commitments to properly feed their pets but also willing to invest their personal time and effort in promoting good wellness, fitness, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle for their pets.

When an owner enrolls their pet in a pet wellness program or pet personal training course, it is our duty as fitness professionals to not only provide the best and most appropriate and the most fun activities and feeding guidelines but to also make owners aware that a concept of a wellness examination that goes beyond a full body examination is also in the best interest of the pet they are investing in. That is, all the dollars spent in a pet wellness or fitness program first focus on the right nutritional intake for that breed or size or kind of pet and any physical activities but most importantly time or effort the owner needs to put into to see to it that the pet is maintaining good health: both physically and mentally. We try to educate pet owners that a small amount of prevention is worth it in order to avoid putting money and time into rehabilitation that happens along with unwanted weight gain that progressively increases the chance of disease and illness. It takes a collective effort, time in learning guidelines, and effort to keep that pet fit!