health benafit walking with your dog

Dog owners enjoy numerous health and social benefits by walking their dog a few times a week. Benefits include improved cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, stronger muscles and bones (built up by walking regularly), and decreased stress. A regular walk is vitally important for your pet's health too. Obesity in pets is associated with a number of medical complaints including osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, liver disease and insulin resistance. Most dogs need to be walked at least once each day, though some dogs, particularly very active dogs, may require more. The breed of dog you have, as well as its level of fitness and age, will also determine how long and how vigorous your walk should be. A walk can make a dog very happy. They love to check out the sights and smells and will really look forward to spending time with you. A dog that doesn't receive sufficient exercise can easily become bored or destructive. Health benefits of pet ownership Research studies from around the world have found that pets may offer health benefits to their owners, including: People who walk their dogs are seen by other people as friendly and approachable. A study of patients waiting in dentist surgeries found that watching fish swim around in an aquarium is as effective at reducing stress as hypnosis. Stroking and patting a pet can reduce the physiological indicators of stress, including high blood pressure. The non-judgemental companionship and unconditional love offered by pets is known to have considerable mental health benefits for owners, including increased self-esteem. Community health benefits of dog walking and pet ownership Research undertaken by the University of Western Australia has found that owning a pet can also benefit the whole community. The researchers found that pet owners, in particular dog owners, were more likely to: acknowledge and greet other people in the street exchange favours with neighbours meet others in their neighbourhood. Dog walking – choose your dog carefully If you’re not very active, owning a dog could give you a very good reason to walk regularly. But before you rush out and buy a dog, plan your purchase. Make sure you choose a breed that’s appropriate to your lifestyle. For example, don’t buy a large active dog if you live in a small apartment or have limited mobility. Prepare yourself for dog walking Prepare for walking your dog by: stretching before you start - in particular, stretch the front and back of your legs, your back and your arms making sure your equipment (including a dog leash and walking shoes) is suitable and will not cause injury protecting yourself and your dog from excessive heat and sunburn – make sure you both drink plenty of water before, during and after your walk, walk during the cooler parts of the day when the weather is hot and protect yourself from the sun with a hat, long clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen. Dog walking tips When you walk your dog: Aim for 30 minute walks, five times per week. Keep your dog on its leash in public areas, unless it’s an ‘off leash’ zone. Contact your local council about areas where dogs can be exercised off leash. Supervise your dog around young children. Take a plastic bag or scoop to clean up your dog’s poo. Make sure your dog is properly identified. Make sure your dog is desexed. Avoid walking in extreme heat. Take fresh water for you and your dog to drink.