The Importance of Playing Fetch
Every Dog Needs the Right Amount of Daily Exercise
By Carly Shaw Graham
Position: Staff Writer
Exercising is important for any dog’s physical and psychological health regardless of the dog’s age.
According to Maggie Hatton, a pet store associate in Palm Beach County, explains that regular exercise for pets is important for dogs to be healthy. Often, dogs that can exercise regularly are calmer and behave more consistently than dogs that are not able to exercise.
“Many owners tell me that their dogs chew too much, dig, or are constantly licking. I usually find out that their animals don’t get enough exercise,” said Maggie Hatton.
Anxiety-type behaviors like licking or barking can be eliminated or at least reduced if dogs receive regular exercise. Dogs that do not exercise often become overweight leading to them having increased chances of heart disease and hip problems.
Often, pet owners will turn to low-calorie food to help their dog lose weight but forget the importance of ensuring their dog receives the proper amount of exercise.
“Some of the customers that are looking for low-calorie dog food don’t give their dogs enough exercise. One pet owner stated that the only exercise her dog receives is his daily walks. I am not surprised that her dog is overweight,” said Hatton.
There are a few steps that can be taken to be sure a pet has ample exercise and is at a healthy weight. Hatton suggests that pet owners can seek out an expert like a veterinarian to learn how much their pet should weigh and the best types of exercise for dogs based on their age.
“Whenever a pet owner is seeking advice on a healthy weight for their pet, or how much exercise is required, I advise them to ask for guidelines from their veterinarian first,” said Hatton.
Many times, daily exercise can help a dog exhibit appropriate behaviors and decrease the amount of negative behaviors that many pet owners indicate. Along with a dog’s behavior improving due to receiving enough exercise, exercising can also be an excellent way for pet owners to bond with their dogs. Playing fetch, teaching a dog a new trick or going to the beach are great ways to bond with pets and exercise at the same time.
Ensuring that an owner’s dog is getting enough exercise helps their dog remain healthy and happy.
