With winter almost here, cooler weather, less sunlight, and possibly dreaded snow are fast approaching. However, as a pet sitter or pet parent, it’s still important to make sure your furry-friend gets the proper amount of exercise they need to remain healthy. With that said, here are five eye opening reasons why dogs need exercise.

1. Prevents Health Issues

One reason why dogs need proper exercise all year round is because exercise can help prevent dangerous health issues, like obesity. According to a 2020 American Kennel Club statistic, a concerning 56% of dogs in the United States are classified as obese or overweight. This is more than half of dogs in the U.S.! Dogs that tend to be overweight or obese are at greater risk for developing various cancers, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and heart disease, among other health concerns caused by obesity.

You can protect your dog from obesity and the dangers associated with it through both exercise and regular vet check-ups to address health concerns. If your furry-friend tends to be heavier, then you might want to consider taking them to the vet more often and looking into pet insurance for your dog to help mitigate some of the high costs. Dog insurance will also give you peace of mind knowing your pup will be protected if their weight starts to take a toll on their health.

Making sure your furry-friend gets adequate exercise will allow them to burn off excess calories and to stay at a healthy weight. It will also lower their chances of developing one of the health issues mentioned above and going to the vet. At the same time, you will be exercising alongside them which is good for your health as well!

2. Strengthens Relationship

In addition, you will be able to strengthen your relationship with your dog through exercise. For example, most dogs tend to enjoy the outdoors so joining them outside can help you bond with your pup. They like going on walks where they can curiously smell new scents all around them, playing fetch, chasing squirrels, and so on. When you participate in activities your dog enjoys, they will know you care for them and their interests. The both of you will get to spend quality time together, participating in meaningful activities. This will help to nurture a beautiful relationship between the two of you.

3. Keeps Your Dog Happy

Exercise will also help to keep your four-legged friend happy each day. From a scientific perspective, dogs experience an increased level of endorphins after exercising. The additional endorphins enable them to feel a natural “high” and increase their level of happiness. In other words, when your dog exercises they will be inclined to feel naturally happy because of their biological processes.

Not to mention, taking them for a walk, along with other exercise methods can boost their mental health by decreasing your furry-friends stress, depression, and anxiety. Afterall, your pup’s mental health is just as important to consider as your own!

4. Increases Dog Socialization

How many times do you run into different dogs around your neighborhood when you walk your furry-friend? Probably too many to count! Dog socialization is a very important aspect for your dog’s health and is commonly achieved through exercising your dog.

There are many reasons why dogs need socialization. One being, it can boost their self-esteem. When your pup is interacting with other dogs, they can play with each other, communicate, and safely engage in playful roughhousing. These interactions will encourage your dog to have more confidence in themselves, especially when they view themselves as winning in a game or a play fight.

When dogs meet new companions and play with them, it increases their mental stimulation. For instance, your furry friend will learn how to interact with new pets and how to behave on the territory of others. These are beneficial to your dog’s mental health, as they will be engaging in the problem-solving, critical-thinking, and investigative parts of their brain.

5. Releases Energy

If you have ever raised a puppy first-hand, then you probably know that they have immeasurable amounts of energy. They will want to play until they suddenly crash. Conversely, when you allow your four-legged friend to have the exercise they need, then they will not be bouncing off of the walls at all hours of the day and night.

In general, dogs should get between 30 minutes and 2 hours of exercise a day. Bigger dogs like retrievers and collies will need more, while smaller dogs like terriers require less. Of course, puppies will also need more exercise than seniors, but continuing regular exercise is important for improving your aging dog’s life. Ultimately, you want to make sure your dog doesn’t have any energy left at the end of the day to get into things they shouldn’t.

Dog-Friendly Exercise Activities

There are ample opportunities to help your dog exercise more. One opportunity is by hiking together. There are many dog-friendly hiking trails all over the U.S. that are perfect for your furry-friendly. Before going on intense and rigid trails that have various elevation changes, make sure you start off with easier trials.

Another great activity for your dog is to play fetch at a local dog park. Dog parks are great places for your dog to meet others and to get some of their energy out. They will be curious about the scent of others, and they will almost certainly be chasing after new friends they make.

As for the indoors, playing tug, playing hide and seek, or using a dog treadmill are great ways to help your dog get the exercise they need, especially in the winter. Just because it’s cold and snowy doesn't give you an excuse to let your dog lay around all day long.

Like humans, our furry-friends also need adequate exercise to help them live happy and complete lives. The last thing you want is for your best friend to be bored and depressed all day long. Help pet parents find ways to keep pets active.