Longer days and more sunshine (hopefully!) mean more time outdoors! At this time of year, there is nothing better than going out for a walk with your canine companion by your side.
With the weather warming up, we’re going to look at all the benefits that walking with your dog brings. Keeping it balanced, we will also cover a few potential health hazards, so that you know how to keep your pet as safe as possible this Spring and Summer.
Read on to find out more!
The benefits of walking
There are so many benefits to walking, for both us and our dogs! Let’s take a look at some of these:
- Exercise is essential for maintaining physical health. It keeps bones and muscles strong, and it is also important for heart health.
- Regular brisk exercise uses up calories and aids our metabolism, which helps both us and our dogs maintain a healthy body weight.
- Walking helps to keep the digestive tract moving which helps to prevent issues like constipation.
- Burning enough energy off is a must for some dogs, particularly young, bouncy dogs or working breeds. Without enough exercise, these dogs can become bored, anxious or destructive. A tired, content dog will be much more settled at home than an under-exercised one.
- Walks are good mental stimulation for our pets. All the sights, sounds and sniffs keep our dogs’ brains ticking over. Add in a few training exercises too and your dog will have had a brain workout as well as a physical one.
- Walking is essential for socialisation. Dogs that experience lots of different things from an early age will be less likely to have anxious or aggressive tendencies. Any new interactions should be controlled and positive. Use plenty of praise and rewards when your dog encounters something new, so that they build a positive association with it.
- Dog walks are fun! There’s nothing better than exploring somewhere new or seeing your dog romping around after a ball. It’s a great way to bond with your pet and spend some quality time together.
While there is no doubt that dog walks are good for us and our pets, most vet practices start to see a rise in seasonal health issues at this time of year. So next we’re going to explore some of the common pitfalls you might face while out walking at this time of year, as well as how you might avoid them!
Seasonal walking hazards
As well as all the usual accidents like cuts, scrapes and pulled muscles, there are some other health issues to be aware of while you’re out exploring with your dog.
