Daily exercise offers health benefits to pets as well as humans. Whether it’s a long walk, a game of fetch, or playing with your cat for 30 minutes a day, attention and exercise can improve your pet’s physical and mental health. Take a look at these health benefits of exercise for pets, and make an appointment with your veterinarian if you aren’t sure if your pet is getting enough exercise.
Improved Physical Health
Daily exercise will keep your pet fit and healthy. Your pet will be at a lower risk of weight gain and obesity. Weight gain and obesity are risk factors for health conditions and diseases like heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis, and osteoarthritis. You can lower your pet’s risk of those diseases and health conditions by making sure he gets enough exercise every day.
Better Mental Health
Lack of attention and exercise can affect your pet’s mental health. Without daily exercise, your pet can become depressed, anxious, withdrawn, listless, and fatigued. A daily walk or just 30 minutes of play time each day can improve your pet’s mood and improve his overall health and wellness.
Reduced Risk of Behavioral Issues
Most pets display behavioral issues as a response to something in their environment that they aren’t happy with. If your pet has too much pent-up energy, they may express that energy in destructive ways or negative behaviors. By redirecting your pet’s energy into a positive outlet like exercise or play time, you can reduce the risk of behavioral issues like whining, barking, yowling, scratching, destroying the house, chewing, getting into the trash, biting, acting aggressively, or peeing or pooping in inappropriate places.
Make an appointment with your veterinarian today to find out if you need to make changes to your pet’s exercise routine.