Exercise and Fun with Your Pet

If you wonder if your pet could benefit from exercise, the answer is definitely yes. Exercise is important for most pets, except those with medical problems that limit activity. Fitness in pets, as in humans, offers medical and psychological benefits. Fit pets live healthier more active lives in their later years. Regular exercise strengthens a pet's bones and muscles. Strong muscles help stabilize joints and in dogs may slow the progression of degenerative joint diseases such as hip dysplasia and arthritis. Exercise also strengthens the heart and lungs.

Exercise can also have emotional benefits. In dogs, those that receive regular exercise are less likely to have behavioral problems such as constant barking, destructive chewing, and self-mutilation.

The first step in a fitness program in dogs is to take your pet to the veterinarian for a weigh-in and health check that checks on the heart, lungs, muscles, bones and joints. Then you and your veterinarian can select appropriate exercises. A discussion about appropriate nutrition is also important at this visit. A good quality pet food with complete and balanced nutrition is important. Your dog's daily caloric intake will vary according to the amount of exercise it gets. A dog that gets frequent and vigorous exercise or spends a great deal of time outdoors during cold weather needs more daily calories than a similarly sized dog that spends its day jumping on and off the couch inside a warm home.

Fun and variety are two keys to any successful exercise program. Whether it's exercising your dog, cat, bird, or other pet, use play to appeal to your pet's natural instincts. Games like fetch the ball for a dog, or chasing feathers on some string for your cat, or providing your bird with freedom from the cage and new and stimulating toys, for instance, will keep your pet moving and expending energy. Variety is important. Play different kinds of games with your pet, in different places or at different times.

For total fitness remember to alternate between strength and endurance-building activities. Exercises that involve many starts, stops and turns-such as retrieving and chasing-help build strength. Exercises that impels your pet to move continuously for at least 30 minutes build endurance.

Jogging with your dog is a great endurance builder. Just be sure to start off slowly and work up to longer jogs. Conditioning is as important in your pet as it is for you. Both of you should stay hydrated too, especially in hot weather. Drink plenty of cool water. And dogs love a good wallow in a wading pool after a long, hot exercise period. Always be aware of the signs of heat stroke in your pet. If you're experiencing discomfort from the heat, your dog-with his fur coat and fewer sweat glands-is probably even more uncomfortable.

Another great exercise is swimming. It helps build muscle strength and flexibility in a no-impact medium. Daily walks are also helpful; you may even be able to get the family cat to walk along. Always when out and about, make sure you always maintain control of your dog.

With a little creativity, you can make conditioning your pet a fun and pleasurable responsibility.

Special Conditioning Considerations for your Dog
Most dogs benefit from exercise, but different dogs have different exercise needs. Here are some general guidelines.

PUPPIES: Dogs under 6 months of age need only moderate exercise. After that, you can provide strengthening exercises, but don't add endurance exercises until the dog is fully mature (12 months for small dogs; 18 to 24 months for larger breeds).

OLDER DOGS: As your dog gets older, it will tire more easily. Continue to exercise your dog daily, but reduce the length and intensity of the workout.

DOGS WITH ARTHRITIS: Provide regular exercise of moderate intensity. Stop at the firs sign of fatigue (panting, grimacing, toe scuffing). If your pet shows pain or lameness after exercising, contact your veterinarian.

OBESE DOGS: Always consult a veterinarian before initiating a conditioning program for an overweight dog. Because overweight dogs are prone to orthopedic problems they shouldn't do much running that involves quick turns or jumping until they have slimmed down.