You might be interested in burning some energy or possibly burning some extra weight off your dog. The reality is that pet obesity is at epidemic levels, and just as with humans, pet obesity is often associated with diseases and early death. Dogs, in particular, need to exercise and get their energy out, which is perhaps why you’ve turned to the internet for inspiration. All is not lost, and we’re glad you found us! At Reata Veterinary Hospital, we want to ensure you’re getting information straight from veterinarians and not from Dr. Google. We’ve taken frequently asked questions about dog activities and fun and answered them as thoroughly as possible so that, together, we can get your canine companion on the path to optimal wellness while having a blast!
If you’re looking for a highly trained veterinarian in Tucson, AZ, we’d love to see your dog for wellness exams, preventive care, and to give you some fun ideas for dog activities that can help with bonding, so please call us at 520-749-1446.
How much activity does my dog need for optimal health?
For optimal health, the amount of activity your dog needs depends on their life stage, size, and breed. In general, though, we want your dog to get regular exercise to keep them at an ideal weight. And many times, it’s much more than some owners are willing to do, especially if we're working a lot and are tired ourselves. It’s essential to keep in mind that this activity helps keep weight off, burns those calories they are eating, and stimulates their minds.
How does the ideal activity level for a dog change based on age or breed?
Age plays a significant role. Our puppies are growing and still maturing, so we don't want to overdo exercise and harm their growth plates. Middle-aged or adult dogs would be at the prime of their lives, so a lot of exercise is ideal during this stage. And then, with senior pets, of course, we want to ensure they don't have health problems that might limit some of their activities.
As far as dog breeds go, your smaller breed dogs are going to have a little bit more energy than your large breed dogs. These small breeds are generally going to be lap dogs, but they also have their moments of zooming around. Smaller breeds and medium-sized dogs are certainly going to have a lot of energy. And then you have to consider things like breeds of dogs that have the smooshed faces, or brachycephalic dogs, such as Pugs, Boston Terriers, and French Bulldogs. They don’t breathe as well, so you don't want to take them out on a scorching hot, sunny day in the summertime and run around the block a couple of times because they might have trouble. If it's a short-legged dog, you also want to take that into account, as they might not be able to keep up with you running. Those kinds of breed considerations can help you vary the amount of exercise that you do.
You’ll notice that most of the time, as your pet gets older, they will start to have less energy. They may have the occasional outburst, but most of the time, they're going to feel a lot more like laying on the couch rather than running around the backyard. And letting your senior dogs rest is totally fine, although you should still continue to do some walks to keep their blood flowing and joints moving, and to prevent weight gain.
What health problems can arise in dogs that don't get enough activity?
If your dog does not get enough activity, obesity is certainly one of the most common and unfortunate results of that. Just like us, if we’re not active, we’re not burning those calories. And along with obesity, we can see some problems with the dog’s agility and their muscles and joints simply because they're not using them.
How does a dog's activity level affect their behavior?
If you're not giving dogs enough exercise, they're not able to get that energy out. In that case, it can turn into behavioral issues. such as chewing, and being destructive and reckless—unfortunately often ruining your possessions! So you want to make sure that if you have an active dog, you need to match that activity level with the exercise. Some of these behavioral issues can arise when dogs are anxious, so exercise can be good for their minds and bodies.
What are some fun activities I can do with my dog?
There are so many fun activities that you can do with your dog! Of course, these activities are often dictated by the weather where you live but there is nearly always some sort of activity that you can partake in with your canine companion.
Some fun activities you can do with your dog include:
- Playing with them outside
- Throwing the frisbee
- Kicking a ball around
- Playing fetch
- Taking a hike
- Taking a walk
- Going for a run(if your dog breed permits)
- Taking them to a dog park (if their demeanor permits)
- Taking them to an outdoor or indoor agility course (or build your own!)
- Taking them to a body of water such as a pond, lake, or the ocean (make sure the water is clean and don’t let them drink from it)
The possibilities are seemingly endless, but the one thing we’d caution as veterinarians is to always take cues from your dog. If they seem too hot or too cold, end the activity. If you’re taking them out during the winter, make sure they are warm enough, which could mean providing them with booties for their paws and a dog sweater or jacket. If you’re taking them for a summer activity, make sure to pack plenty of water.
What if my dog is lethargic and won't exercise?
In this case, you’d want to encourage your dog to exercise, but if they don't want to, then you might have to think of some incentives. You may want to approach exercise gradually, in short increments, and encourage your dog with lots of praise. Slowly work them up to where they might think that it's fun and pick something they like. Maybe your dog doesn’t like running but they have a favorite toy, so you could take that toy outside and then get them to play. Or even inside exercise can be good, such as throwing a ball up the stairs for them. If they’re truly lethargic on a regular basis, that could indicate that something is physically wrong, so it’d be time to take them to the veterinarian for an exam.
Are there any health issues that might affect my dog’s ability to exercise?
If your dog is arthritic or they have other issues with their joints, that would limit their ability to do certain types of exercises. We have dogs that sustain knee injuries, so frisbee-throwing would not be something we would want them to do because stopping, twisting, and turning are not good for the knees. If the dog has other health concerns, perhaps the kidneys, you might limit the amount of exercise they could do to keep them safe.
If you’re looking for a highly trained veterinarian in Tucson, AZ, we’d love to see your dog and help you to get them on a good fitness and activity regimen, so please call us right away at 520-749-1446.