Exercising Your Pet   by Robin Perdue

In this day and age, physicians cannot stress enough the benefits of a regular exercise program:

Controls weight Increases energy Improves circulation Enhances lung capacity Oxygenates blood Improves heart rate Builds strong muscles Increases joint mobility Improves your mood Helps with sleep The list goes on and on...

You may not have given it a great deal of thought, yet our animals reap the exact same benefits that we do when it comes to exercise. In addition, a scheduled exercise plan can help to burn nervous energy and reduce boredom for your dog or cat, which can serve to make them less likely to destroy things. Your cat may run through your home or play with a toy on his or her own, and your puppy might chase an animal in your backyard or play with his frisbee. Yet this is, sadly, all too often the extent of their exercise program. That is why it is up to us as their owners to be certain that they are getting the exercise they truly require.

But do not worry, you are not going to get any whining, lame excuses or belly aching from your pets regarding exercise. The whole process is playtime in their minds and the bond that grows between you and your pet when you increase their "playtime" will make them love you even more.

Be sure and consult with your veterinarian before you begin. Different pets have different needs when it comes to exercise. Large dogs, for example, are going to vary from small dogs and older animals are going to vary from younger animals. Plus, the vet can give your pet a routine examination to make sure their health is good and it's safe to proceed.

Exercising Your Dog:

It's a good idea to start with a moderately paced walk or swim for dogs, giving them a chance to build strength and stamina without straining muscles. Start with 10-15 minutes a day and gradually increase time and distance as the dog gets a little more accustomed to it.

Always keep an eye out for signs of fatigue and trouble breathing - excessive panting, rapid heart rate. And, be sure to keep plenty of water on hand. By all means, if your dog wants to stop, let him. That is a strong sign that he has had enough. Please keep in mind that most dogs love to burn energy and because of their enthusiasm and willingness to please their owner, they may not stop until it's too late. Therefore, it's very important to watch and know when enough is enough.

To keep things interesting, you may want to vary their forms of activity: walking, swimming, jogging, playing ball or chasing a Frisbee are great ways to keep them enthused. For a real change of pace, take your dog to the dog park to play with other dogs. He'll not only burn lots of calories, he'll get to socialize and make new friends, as well.

As a safety precaution, allow your dog to walk or jog on soft surfaces in the beginning. Soft or tender pads can become sore or tear under stress. Make sure nails are trimmed so they won't hang or rip. And, always keep your dog on a leash to avoid traffic or other, more aggressive dogs.

If you exercise at night, consider a reflective collar or light on your dog, as well as a bright colored or reflective leash that is visible to passersby. Also, you'll want to wear white or light colored clothing yourself to make sure you can be seen by others.