It's become common knowledge that exercise is important for humans, but it's equally important for pets. It's important to get outdoors with your pet, not only to help fight pet obesity which currently affects 20-40% of pets, but to help improve physical and mental well being.
As we head into summer that means temperatures will continue to rise, which can have even more of a negative impact on overweight dogs. Obesity prevents pets from being able to enjoy time outdoors by slowing them down and affecting their stamina. Furthermore, boredom can lead to behavioral issues with dogs. Signs of boredom may include digging, biting their tail and home destruction - to name a few.
If you don't have a yard for your pet to run around in, then it's up to you to keep your pet moving! Taking your pet for daily walks is a great form of exercise for you and your dog. With exercise, it's important to see what your pet can handle. You don't want to push a puppy too far, for puppies, short spurts of exercise is ideal. If you have an adult dog, you may need to start small if you're pet isn't used to exercise. You can't turn your dog into a 3 mile runner overnight!
The important thing to keep in mind is that each pet is different, but exercise will make for a healthier you and a healthier pet! For questions or specific exercise recommendations, contact your local veterinarian.