Physical activity for dogs is extremely important. Whether they are puppies, adults or seniors, our four-legged friends need to break up their sedentary lifestyle and get some healthy exercise every day.

There are many reasons for this, dictated by the extraordinary benefits that can be gained from physical activity.

You just need to pay attention to a few things. For example, it is a good idea to choose exercises for your dog based on factors such as its breed, age, size and physical condition.

In this article, we will find out why physical activity is so important for dogs, what benefits your pet can gain from healthy exercise, what exercises to do with your dog and how to create a healthy routine with Fido.

Importanza dell’attività fisica per il cane. Esercizi e consigli utili
DOG AGILITY COMPETITION

Why physical activity is important for dogs

The famous Latin phrase ‘mens sana in corpore sano’ applies to humans, but it can also be applied to dogs.

Physical activity should be done regularly, every day, by our four-legged friends because it helps maintain their psychological and physical well-being.

It is not simply a matter of taking your dog for a walk, but of allowing it, through movement, to release energy, explore its surroundings and give free rein to its instincts.

Is there a specificamount of time that should be devoted to physical activity for dogs every day?

Usually, about thirty minutes a day is sufficient for physical exercise, although this should always be considered on a case-by-case basis. Some dogs are very active and need up to an hour of exercise every day.

There is no exact amount of time, but it depends on a number of factors such as the age, breed, size and general health of the animal. An older dog, for example, which has less energy, certainly needs to move around, but in a way that it is able to do so and without being forced.

Let’s take a closer look at all the benefits that exercise can bring to your dog.

The benefits of exercise for your dog

Physical activity for dogs, provided it is regular and appropriate for their age, size and breed, is the best way to maintain the physical health and mental well-being of your pet.

For dogs, the fun and joy of running or walking in the open air, exploring their territory, are in themselves an excellent positive consequence of daily exercise.

But what are the specific benefits?

General physical health. Exercise is a panacea for dogs, reducing the risk of obesity and, consequently, the onset of heart disease, cardiovascular problems and skin issues. Physical activity also helps improve the animal’s agility and flexibility.

Less fear and anxiety. Dogs that get a lot of exercise show less aggression and fear towards humans and objects.

Furthermore, separation anxiety also seems to decrease in particularly active four-legged friends.

Mental well-being. Thanks to physical activity, dogs can release accumulated energy, stimulating their minds, with positive effects on their behaviour.

Learning new things. Not only can dogs learn new skills, but through exercise they can also become more aware of their bodies. This benefits both the animal’s self-esteem and prevents brain ageing.

Socialising and strengthening the bond between animal and owner. Physical activity allows animals to interact with other dogs and learn to be together in different situations. The relationship between humans and animals also benefits from exercise because it allows them to spend quality time together and strengthen mutual trust.

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Why dogs need exercise, the importance of physical exercise

Exercises suitable for dogs of different breeds and sizes

Some exercises are suitable for certain dogs and not recommended for others. It all depends on the animal’s age, breed, physical build and, in general, its health.

Small dogs: Even though they are small, this does not mean that they need less exercise. Depending on the breed, it is possible to understand which exercises are most suitable.

Large dogs. If you have a puppy belonging to a large breed, you need to take special care not to overdo physical activity, as this could be risky for the health of its limbs.

Even as adults, the amount of time devoted to physical activity should be adjusted according to the specific breed.

Puppies. Never rush them; it is always best to start slowly. Their bones are not yet fully developed, so excessive exercise is not recommended. Running, rolling and playing are perfect activities for strengthening their muscles, tendons and ligaments, developing agility and balance.

Older dogs. Exercise is also important at this stage of an animal’s life. Daily exercise and walks can keep their joints and ligaments healthy. It is fine if their movements are now slow: staying still for too long can lead to them becoming less and less willing to move, with the possible onset of problems such as obesity and all that it entails.

Pay attention to the needs of different breeds.

Greyhounds and Whippets are not suited to running long distances.

Short-nosed or brachycephalic breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers and Boxers are unable to perform prolonged physical exercise due to a physical conformation that affects their breathing.

Dachshunds, Pekingese and Yorkshire Terriers, on the other hand, have little energy. With them, for example, you cannot plan a full day’s trekking.

Great Danes, Mastiffs and Newfoundlands, although very large, need little exercise and do not have much energy.

Chihuahuas, despite their small size, need a lot of exercise, such as two or three walks a day and at least half an hour of physical activity.

Sports activities for dogs: what exercises to do

There are many exercises you can do.

Walking is already an important activity for your pet’s well-being: walking burns calories and helps them maintain their ideal weight. This activity is also useful for keeping joints healthy and promoting urinary tract and digestive health.

If your dog is a breed suited to long walks, walks in the mountains are definitely the ideal opportunity to stimulate its sense of smell. However, this is a demanding activity and as such requires certain precautions.

Playing with a ball, stick or frisbee. This is a very simple activity that involves throwing a ball, stick or Frisbee, stimulating your dog’s running and predatory instincts.

Playing in water. Not only is it a fun way to beat the summer heat, but movement in water can even be therapeutic for older dogs, as it allows them to exercise without straining their joints.

Agility exercises, even DIY. Jumping, slaloming and other agility exercises following commands given by the owner not only keep dogs fit, but are also an excellent way to stimulate their intelligence. This type of activity can be carried out at a specialised centre, but you can also create an agility course at home using everyday objects such as a broom or a hula hoop.

Hide and seek

An easy, classic game to play with your dog. The benefits are both physical and mental, especially if your dog is able to recognise a few simple commands.

Indoor activities

If you are unable to do outdoor activities, you can also do a series of exercises indoors. For example, have your dog run up and down a staircase for a few minutes. Obviously, this is not recommended for puppies or dogs with short legs, such as dachshunds.

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Why dogs need exercise, the importance of physical exercise

How to create an exercise routine for your dog

To keep your dog fit, it is important to create a healthy daily routine. This should be tailored to your dog’s general physical health, taking into account important factors such as weather conditions and outdoor temperatures.

Making sure they get enough exercise every day is not always easy. You can certainly tell when they are not getting enough from certain behaviours, but having some more technical data is definitely useful for better understanding your four-legged friend’s state of health.

To help you create and maintain an exercise routine for your dog, you can attach a special tracker such asKippy EVO to their collar or harness.

This allows you to monitor your four-legged friend’s physical activity. Using an app connected to the device, you can check certain key parameters on your smartphone to keep an eye on your pet’s health.

On Kippy Dog, you can view activities such as:

  • calories burned during the day;
  • number of steps taken;
  • number of jumps made;
  • running and frantic activity;
  • play and movements such as sprints and jumps;
  • moments of activity and walking;
  • low activity and slow movements;
  • moments of relaxation.

Knowing whether your dog has had enough daily exercise is the best way to take care of its physical and mental well-being.

FAQ

How many kilometres should a dog walk per day?

There are no precise parameters to follow, but a medium-sized dog, for example, is usually able to walk 5-10 kilometres per day. It obviously depends on the animal’s health, breed and age.

How can I keep my dog from getting bored?

There are specific behaviours that indicate whether your dog is bored. These include: misbehaving, such as destroying or chewing things, barking more than usual, biting its tail and moving around constantly.

How can you tell if your dog is happy?

A dog is visibly happy when it is calm, its muzzle is relaxed and its mouth is slightly open. Its ears are soft, neither raised nor folded, and its tail is wagging.