Just like humans, canines can become susceptible to various health issues from diabetes to heart problems if they don’t receive enough physical exercise. In this sense, we can talk about a dog “getting into shape” just as we would of ourselves.

The reality is, dogs are animals that are bred for open space and if they live inside an apartment, they might gain unnecessary pounds and start getting ill. Because your pet’s pain will definitely affect you too (not to mention your vet bill), you should make the best effort to keep your dog in shape.

 

The current shape the dog is physically in

Before you apply any of the methods we are about to list, you should assess your pet’s current physical shape. The most interesting thing should be the dog’s weight. Don’t worry, there is no need to purchase scales as obesity is easily detected by feeling your dog’s ribs. If you can feel them with your hand, then the dog is not obese.

However, if there is fat around the (vertical) waste line, then you should take your beloved canine to the vet. There, it will get weighed and an approximate BMI will be calculated. There is a real need for urgency in the case that your pooch is overweight, because all those extra pounds put extra stress on the dog’s internal organs, mostly the heart, as well as the entire musculature.

The role of the dog’s age and breed

Your veterinarian is likely to suggest changes to your dog’s diet and create an exercise plan, much like a physician would do for humans. However, in the case of a canine, there are several factors at play, including the animal’s age, breed, and general health.

The general rule is that the older the dog, the less strenuous the exercise will have to be. Young, pliant dogs, like shepherds and hunting dogs can have a good run-out nearly every day, while older and sickly dogs should practice mild physical activity.

If you notice that your pet is struggling with the activity program prescribed by the vet, decrease the intensity of the walk or the run. A dog’s inability to jump high or run fast might be an indicator of an underlying health issue, so approach the matter cautiously and always check in with your vet if you’re worried about anything. 

 

Altering your dog’s diet

There isn’t a treat that a dog will refuse; if nothing else, they will at least sniff it or lick it! However, you shouldn’t feed your dog ‘anything’, as their diet has a profound effect on their general health. As we humans would put it: “We are what we eat.”

First of all, the dog’s diet should be balanced, containing as many proteins as carbohydrates. In general, the diet should be a low-calorie one, including food such as bananas, apples, peas, cooked meat, slices of melon, etc. Fresh dog food will hugely benefit your pooch, and switching to a raw diet is a move a perfectly healthy dog would benefit from too. The main thing is to make sure your pet stays clear of foods loaded with oil, sugar, butter, and salt.

Outdoor fun

 

Unlike a human whom you must persuade to take up physical activity, the dog’s innate playfulness should make it easy to get them moving. Once outside, their natural instinct will kick in and they’ll immediately start running across the yard or a park. All you have to do is to direct their energy through a series of challenges.

Playing fetch is the most basic of activities. Furthermore, many dogs like to run along with their owner and even play a game of hide and seek (this really puts a smile on their face). Breeds that are social by nature will benefit greatly from mingling with other mutts, mostly in terms of mental health.

A fun activity that dogs enjoy a lot but is often disregarded is swimming. If you live far from a river or a lake, it is likely that your dog hadn’t had much chance to go for a swim in the past. An inflatable kiddie pool will serve as a great substitute for a river and it will allow the dog to build its lower body muscles.

Find the time to show you care

As an owner, you can surely feel that your dog loves you, right? Well, you can reciprocate this love by setting aside enough time for playing with them. Once you start openly showing affection more than ever, the animal will feel motivated to go through the diet and the set activities you have drawn up for it.

The exercises, such as jumping over an obstacle or swimming should be done regularly, on a daily or a weekly basis. Along with the dog’s health, the rapport you have with your pet will improve significantly.

We hope that you now realize the importance of physical activity for a dog’s health. Both its mental and physical wellbeing depend on the dog getting enough exercise and dieting right. This the next time you deny your beloved canine a walk around the block.