Imagine Losing Weight with the Help of Your Dog and Loving Every Minute of it

Posted by Kelly in Blog

We all know that obesity has been an ongoing problem in the United States. From late-night infomercials to reality TV shows, we can’t get away from the importance of maintaining a healthy body. It makes sense to exercise with our best friends so we’ll have some accountability while enjoying each other’s company. Since it’s equally important that we maintain the health of our pets, who else should we exercise with than “man’s best friend?”

Obesity is not only a problem in humans, but it’s also been reported as a problem in dogs. Well meaning owners show love for their dogs by feeding them too much food, the wrong kinds of foods, or both. Exercising with your dog will help keep its weight down and can encourage a stronger relationship between the two of you.

Maintaining a workout routine with your dog will not only improve your physical health, but it will improve your mental well-being as well. Your dog will be much more content and less likely to partake in destructive behavior if it has an outlet to release its energy.

Walking or light jogging is the first type of exercise you could start with as you begin your exercise program with your pet. It’s important to start off slowly so the both of you can condition your bodies to exercise. This is especially important if your dog is already overweight.

Biking or inline skating is a great option for you and your canine friend if your dog has plenty of energy and is a medium to large sized breed. Because smaller dogs need lees exercise than larger ones, biking or skating might not be the best choice if your pet fits in to the small-breed category.

Swimming is a great exercise option for all types of breeds. Since dogs with hip dysplasia cannot walk or run for long periods of time, swimming would be the best exercise choice since it does not place stress on the joints. This is true for humans as well as dogs. It’s also a great way to cool off during the hot summer months when overheating is a concern.

The age, breed and general health of your dog will determine the amount of exercise it will need. Generally speaking, most dogs should exercise at least twice a day for 15-45 minutes. Just as you would consult your doctor before beginning any workout program, talk with your dog’s vet before starting his exercise program, too.

About the Author: Kelly Marshall writes for Oh My Dog Supplies, the leader in upscale dog beds and other high end dog supplies.