Regular fitness is key to having a happy, healthy pup
Today, sixty-eight percent of adult Americans are overweight or obese. Since more than half of all U.S. households have at least one companion animal, it is no surprise that this epidemic has spread to the pet population: overweight owners are three times more likely to have overweight pets. Close to thirty million dogs in the U.S. alone are overweight or obese, yet few pet owners recognize the seriousness of the condition. It's time for dog owners to tackle this epidemic to help ensure that their beloved pal is around for years.
Research shows that trim pets live about fifteen percent longer, or an average of two additional years! Besides the right diet, exercise is undeniably the best way to keep your pooch healthy. In my new book, Fitness Unleashed: a dog and owner's guide to losing weight and gaining health together! (Three Rivers Press, May 2006), you will find some great ideas for keeping fit with Fido.
Here are my top ten tips for keeping your dog in great shape:
1. Remember to let your dog warm up, increase exercise gradually as fitness improves, and always follow the recommended exercise program that has been set up with your dog's individual needs in mind.
2. If you find you can't exercise your pet regularly, ask a family member, a friend, or a dog walker to do it for you.
3. Try exercising your dog with other dogs. Get together with friends who have pets and let the dogs have a ball playing together.
4. Try exercising with your pet. According to the Hill's People and Pets Exercising Together (P-PET) study, both people and pets are more successful at staying with a weight-loss program when they exercise together.
5. Walking is great way to keep in shape, both for you and for your dog! Grab a leash and take your pooch to the park or down the street. Dogs also make great companions while jogging and some dogs—if started slowly and conditioned—can be wonderful companions for cycling.
6. Whenever possible, make your pet walk on different surfaces such as sand, shallow water, fallen leaves, snow, or on a rough surface (such as a recently plowed field) to give him a true resistance workout.
7. Set up an impromptu obstacle course. Use benches, trees, ditches or fallen tree trunks for your dog to jump over, crawl under or balance on. You can also bring the obstacle course indoors using a broom handle for jumps or buckets set a few feet apart to make an obstacle course.
8. Fetch is another great way to exercise your dog. Remember, never use a stick as these can splinter and cause injury to your dog. Instead, use a ball or a chew toy. Make Fido work a little harder by using hills and uneven terrain (outdoors) or stairs (indoors).
9. A little game of hide-and-seek can help keep your pet fit. Hide a toy or some kibble around the house and then help your dog search and find it.
10. If your dog enjoys being petted (and most do), try giving him a massage and helping him stretch. It warms up muscles, releases tension, and stimulates blood circulation. Your dog will love it!
If your dog is still having trouble reaching his ideal body weight, be sure to speak with your vet. There are low-fat, nutritionally balanced foods.
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