Exercise is the best way to keep your pup in good mental and physical shape. Like any human, dogs need some exercise routine, regardless of size, breed, or age. However, you might have asked yourself what the perfect amount is or how many times I need to take your dog out for a walk, especially if you are a first-time dog owner. It's important to understand that each dog has different needs; hence the number of times to walk your dog each day depends on their needs.
Walks promote joint health, as sitting at home for prolonged periods can take a toll on the joints. A smaller dog may need just 1 or 2 walks during the day; however, high-energy or bigger dogs may need a couple more. We recommend that, on average, you take your dog out between 3-4 times for about 15 minutes. Walking also allows dogs to stretch, pee, and poop. Pro tip: if you walk your dog during the pee and poop time, you only have to take them out and return to the couch. Lastly, it allows for proper weight control as it remedies calorie reduction. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to keep healthy joints.
Other factors when deciding how often to take your dog out:
Age
Usually, younger dogs are high-energy and may need more exercise than their middle-aged and senior counterparts. Additionally, middle-aged and senior dogs might be more prone to atrophy, arthritis, and other health issues. If your breed of dog is known to have arthritis at an older age or is very sporty, we recommend our Mobility Chews to promote healthy joints.
Dog Breed
Dog breeds are a significant factor when deciding the right amount of exercise for your dog. For example, sporty dogs like Shepherds and Collies will need way more activity than Yorkshire.
Living Conditions and Health
Living conditions can be a significant factor in determining how long walks can be. If you live in a small apartment with little room for your pup to walk around and explore, you might need to take out your dog for a couple of walks across the neighborhood. It's important to understand that just like you as a human, you sometimes need space away from your home, and so does your dog, which is why it's essential to play and take them on walks outside their everyday living space. When it comes to health is very straightforward. If your dog is healthy, you can assume that a 15-30 minute walk daily is enough. However, if your dog is not in good shape, 15 minutes is plenty of exercise for them, after that, start gradually increasing to make your walks longer.
So what do you think? Is your dog walking enough? Share your best Cardio pictures with your dog here. Make sure to check out some of our amazing chews Skin & Coat, Hip & Joint, Digestion and Allergy!
