Pets and Exercise: a Great Fit

It may seem surprising, but one of the reasons that you think of your pet as your best friend is that you actually have a lot in common. Whether you own a dog or a cat, you both like to have fun, you both crave affection, and you both need exercise to stay healthy. In fact, making sure your pet is getting the right amount of exercise for its size can involve many of the same common sense approaches you would apply to your own exercise regimen.

Just as it is with their owners, pets need exercise if they are going to stay healthy, active and live a long, quality life. Nowadays, many pets live in urban environments that can make adequate exercise a real challenge. Unfortunately, many owners simply don't care for their pet's need for exercise. Consequently, many pets suffer from health problems that could easily be avoided by the proper amount of activity. By following a few simple rules, you can make sure your best friend is getting the right amount – and right kind – of exercise.

A great many ailments and conditions can arise from an inadequate amount of exercise, the most serious and widespread of which is obesity. How many times have you or a friend joked about the funny way one of your overweight pets waddled across the kitchen floor? In fact, obesity among pets is no laughing matter.

Obesity commonly arises from a number of factors. Many dogs are left alone, inside for long periods of time. Some cats spend all their time indoors. Many small pets don't have exercise wheels in their cages, or – in the case of birds - adequate space to fly about. All of these situations restrict movement and create a sedentary lifestyle. In addition, many pet owners don't take their animal's relative lack of  activity into account when it comes to their pet's diet. As a result, many pets are fed far too many calories in relation to the amount of energy their inactive lives actually require.

The deleterious effects of obesity can vary, but all are serious. Primarily, obesity puts a great deal of stress on the body, exacerbating pre-existing conditions like heart disease, orthopedic disease, and some skin conditions. Obesity can also play a role in causing chronic diseases like diabetes.

If you own larger pets, the need for exercise is greater than with small pets. Large breed dogs, or even big cats can require much more exercise than their smaller counterparts. This is partly do to the fact that a larger animal needs much more space to get adequate exercise, where a smaller pet may get a good amount of activity in a much smaller area. Larger animals should get at least 20 minutes of exercise, twice a day. Just like with their human counterparts, this should be vigorous work that emphasizes strength, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance. For a large dog, a traditional game of fetch can be great exercise, especially when combined with some good old fashioned tug-of-war between throws. Try using the My Good Dog Vibram Stick, for a new twist on this favorite, canine pastime. For a bigger cat, a similar game with a Cat Dancer Cat Charmer can provide great fun and aerobic activity.

If you own a smaller pet, you can arrange for adequate activity with less space. Many times intermittent game-playing can be adequate. Anything from friendly rough-housing with a small dog, to ball rolling can be a great way to keep your pet fit, and spend quality time together in the process. Add extra challenge by throwing a My Good Dog Vibram Ball into the fun. With smaller cats, a toy like the Cat Dancer Mouse in the House can provide lots of fun, fit play, even when you're not home to enjoy it together.

Always consult your vet with questions regarding exercising your pet. If your pet hasn't been getting enough exercise, start slow and work your way up the same way you would if you just joined a new gym. With a little common sense, both you and your pet can become healthier – and closer – than ever!