We encourage ALL dog owners to try to take their dog for a walk at least a few times a week, if not daily. Daily walks are not just a great way to exercise your dog; you can benefit from them as well!
Here are a few of the top benefits of walking your dog regularly for both you and your pet!
Human Benefits
Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Serious health issues can arise when your heart is not able to pump blood efficiently throughout your body, including high blood pressure, heart failure, and coronary heart disease.
Regular exercise lowers blood pressure and resting heart rate, as well as your risk for developing cardiovascular disease.[1]
Mental Health Improvement
Having a dog forces you to get outside, which starts a long chain of positive, incredible effects on the brain and your mental health. Walking can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and research shows that spending time with a dog can reduce the output of the stress hormone cortisol.[2]
Physical activity releases endorphins in the brain that energize you and create positive feelings. It will reduce stress, boost mood, and increase mental energy.
Sleep Improvement
Sleep deprivation is associated with a higher risk of developing conditions like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.[3] At least 30 minutes of light to moderate exercise (which you can easily achieve by taking your dog for a walk) can help you achieve more restful sleep.
Dog Benefits
Decrease Chances of Obesity
Obesity in pets is associated with a number of medical complaints including osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, liver disease and insulin resistance.[4] Regular exercise, like walking, is a good way to burn those excess calories and keep the pounds off – for both you and your dog.
Obese dogs develop an increased risk for:[5]
- many types of cancer, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and hypertension
- osteoarthritis and faster degeneration of affected joints
- urinary bladder stones
- anesthetic complications
Increases Positive Socialization
This is a great opportunity to help your dog learn acceptable ways of socially interacting with new animals and people. Walking your dog and exposing him or her to different dogs, people, and situations is a win for everyone!
Opportunity for Training
Daily walks get the all-important dog training sessions in which is essential to having a well-behaved pooch!
Minimizes Boredom and Destructive Behavior
In many cases, dogs left alone get bored and that can sometimes lead to trouble. If your dog whines, barks, howls, chews, or destroys your house while you are away, they could be bored.[6]
Taking them on regular walks helps to cure this boredom and decrease these behaviors.
There are many more benefits to walking your dog. All in all, taking care of another living thing can make it easier to take care of yourself, and walking helps your dog to live a healthier, longer and happier life! Isn’t that what we all want?
Links
- https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/the-benefits-of-walking-your-dog
- https://www.helpguide.org/articles/pets/health-benefits-of-walks-with-your-dog.htm
- https://www.helpguide.org/articles/pets/health-benefits-of-walks-with-your-dog.htm
- https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/dog-walking-the-health-benefits
- https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/obesity-in-dogs#:~:text=%22Excess%20fat%20negatively%20impacts%20a,faster%20degeneration%20of%20affected%20joints