Exercise Support & Tips for Dogs

Dogs need exercise to keep their bodies in good shape. Stretching their legs increases energy expenditure, burns fat and builds lean muscle mass, which is the key to healthy weight management.

Good ways to exercise your dog

• A ‘walk and fetch’ in the park is a great way to exercise together.
• Take them for a safe swim, or go to a dog hydrotherapy pool.
• Organize a doggie playdate with breeds of a similar age and size to yours.
• Canine sports, like agility and obedience training, are also both active and social.

Exercise is also excellent mental stimulation for dogs, especially when it comes to more active breeds like Collies, Dalmatians, Setters and Jack Russell Terriers.

Other exercise tips

• It’s recommended that your dog exercises at least twice a day, ideally to a routine.
• It’s not a hard and fast rule though. How much they need depends on their breed, individual characteristics and stage of life.
• Off-lead exercise is most beneficial, motivating your dog to move and sniff out the environment they’re in. 
• Letting your dog roam in your yard may not be as energetic as other options, but you can help by encouraging play.

Things to bear in mind

• Wait a little while to exercise your pet after a meal - at least 30 minutes to avoid tummy upset or even bloating.
• If your pet has health issues, talk to a vet about what kind of exercise is safest for them.
• Take it easier with older and overweight dogs, increase exercise gradually.
• On hot days, again particularly with overweight dogs, cooler mornings and evenings are best.
• Give your pet time to chill out after a long exercise session.

Enriched feeding

Enriched feeding makes dogs work a little harder for their food. It’s great for encouraging both mental and physical activity by prolonging the feeding moment. When using enriched feeding, the food should represent only a portion of their daily energy requirement.

Enriched feeding ideas

• Place food in a feeding ball or a plastic bottle with the lid off or cut a small hole in the side so some kibble can escape.
• Put some tasty pet food in a hollow toy (more suited to wet food or soaked dry food).
• Hide their favorite snacks around the room and let them move around to sniff them out.
• Mix up their feeding location to encourage ‘seeking’ behavior.
• Divide their daily food up between different bowls around the house and make them work for it!

Feeling inspired? Knowing the facts about feeding and exercising will help you to help your dog live a healthy life. Good luck and happy bonding!