The Impact of Exercise on Your Dog’s Mental Health.

No matter what dog breed you own, they will need exercise. Dogs are active creatures; to remain active, they must regularly exercise. Similar to humans, dogs are highly likely to develop health problems if they do not exercise.

Dogs can get obese and even develop cardiopulmonary diseases. Moreover, a benefit of exercise that people are usually unaware of is that it helps to improve their mental well-being, too. This article will discuss how exercise can help your puppy’s brain function.

Why Should I Take My Dog for Exercise?

Exercising has multiple benefits for your dog, whether a Chihuahua, Bulldog, or greyhound and poodle mix. It is important to do this before starting to exercise. Discuss the ideal weight for your dog with your vet. The vet will then suggest the target weight as well.

Here are a few reasons besides mental health why you must start working on your dog’s exercise routine:

• Obesity

Dogs are active creatures, and they require exercise to keep their body weight in control. Obesity is one of the common health problems for dogs with stationary lifestyles. A vet can provide you with the target weight, which you can use to maintain it.

• Keeping Their Joints Active

The correct weight and shape will help your dog avoid joint pain. Regular exercise and walks help keep the joint pain at ease. Dogs suffering from arthritis or joint pain especially benefit from exercise. Daily exercise will help their joints stay lubricated and eventually have fewer joint problems.

What Is the Standard Amount of Exercise for My Dog?

Many people think every dog must get the same duration and intensity of exercise, which is quite the contrary. The amount of exercise you plan for your dog depends on numerous factors. Breed, age, size, and health conditions are a few basic factors that must be considered.

Usually, at least 30 minutes of exercise daily is essential for your four-legged best friend. It is not necessary to utilize these minutes altogether. You can even take shorter exercise sessions or play throughout the day.

If you are still trying to figure out how much exercise your dog needs, it is better to consult a veterinarian. These experts can suggest the exercise duration and help you with the type of exercise that fits your dog.

How Does Exercise Benefit Your Dog’s Mental Health?

Contrary to what most people think, exercises not only help to keep your dog physically fit. Rather, it helps them with mental health, too. Here’s how:

• Reduction of Stress and Anxiety

According to research, almost 85% of dog owners claim their dogs suffer from behavior problems. Out of this, 44% were those dogs who had a history of anxiety and fearfulness. Exercise helps in the reduction of stress and anxiety in dogs. One of the reasons this happens is because exercise helps release endorphins that help boost mood.

• Promotion of a Sense of Well-Being

Once the dogs feel less anxious and stressed, they will improve their sense of well-being. Exercise makes your dogs feel more confident and secure around others. Exercise helps in the production of endorphins. These chemicals boost mood and are natural painkillers for the body. Endorphins also produce a feeling of optimism and relaxation, which is why you may notice a positive change in your dog’s behavior.

• Improvement in Behaviour

Most dogs indulge in destructive behavior because they are bored or frustrated. If you take your dogs for regular exercise, they will utilize that energy for something fruitful. Ultimately, any bad behavior that your dog must have had will have vanished.

• Increases Bonding With Your Dog

Taking your dog for regular exercise helps to forge a bond that lasts a lifetime. Spending everyday with each other helps you both to enjoy each other’s company. Most dog owners begin to look forward to the time of the day when they get to take out their dogs for exercise.

• How Do I Get My Dog Started On Exercise?

If you are a dog owner who never takes their dogs out for exercise, then there is nothing to worry about. It is never too late to establish this habit. In fact, you can even start today. As a beginner, you will struggle to follow a routine or schedule. We have a few tips that will help you develop exercise habits for yourself and your dog too.

• Exercise is not something that you can jump into all at once. The habit builds slowly and steadily. You can start by taking baby steps and going for small walks in your local area or any dog park nearby. Shorter trips will prepare your dog’s body for a longer exercise routine.
• Once the habit of shorter exercises develops, you can gradually increase the duration and intensity of the exercise. You will start noticing positive improvements in your dog in just one week of regular exercise.
• Dogs are not only active creatures but are very curious as well. If you take them on a walk daily, there is a chance that they will get bored. Therefore you must choose different activities every day. You can even add puzzle games to keep them inquisitive throughout.
• Cognitive and intellectual games help dogs in improving their self-worth. Every time they solve a puzzle or find something, it feels as if they have won a reward. Not only this, such activities also help to sharpen their memory and cognitive abilities.
• Last but not least, you must be patient when developing any exercise routine. A new routine may be disturbing for your canine friend. But, you must be patient enough to get them through with it. With just a little effort, your dog will soon be excited for the activities time themselves.

The Takeaway

A routine of exercising is not helpful for your dog’s physical well-being; in fact, it benefits their mental health, too. Implementing a daily routine may sound unsettling for many owners. However, once you establish a regular exercise schedule, you will notice how happier and stress-free your dog is. 

If you are confused about the duration and type of exercise for your puppy, you can consult your vet to discuss the options. The long-term benefits of exercise will reduce the health complications your dog will develop if they live an inactive life.

Author Bio: M. Hassan Iqbal is an experienced digital marketing specialist with 3 years of SEO and content writing expertise. I provide these services to various companies, consistently achieving real results by improving their online rankings. If you’re looking for excellent digital marketing services, I’m only a click away.

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