The Importance of Pet Exercise
- Happy Pets, Happy Life!
How does your pet benefit from exercising?
In the whirlwind of our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook a fundamental aspect of our pets’ well-being – regular exercise. Beyond providing comfortable beds and nutritious meals, the holistic care of our furry friends includes ensuring they have ample opportunities for physical activity, as well as enough mental stimulation. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the significance of exercising pets and how it can enhance both yours and your pets’ lifestyles.
Pets, much like humans, benefit immensely from regular exercise. It’s a cornerstone of their overall well-being, impacting both the physical and mental health. Engaging in activities that gets their bodies moving not only contributes to physical fitness, but also plays a crucial role in maintaining mental and emotional balance. And as the old saying goes – happy pets, happy life (or something along these lines)!
Physical health
Regular exercise is pivotal for maintaining a healthy weight in pets, preventing obesity-related issues that can lead to various health complications. It promotes cardiovascular health, ensuring optimal functioning of the heart and lungs. Additionally, active play and movement contribute to joint flexibility and muscle tone, helping develop your pet’s optimal physique in terms of health.
Mental stimulation
Exercise isn’t just about physical health; it’s equally vital for mental well-being. Activities like fetching, exploring new places or even having a go at the agility course provide mental stimulation that alleviates boredom and prevents behavioural issues. Mental engagement is particularly crucial for working dog breeds, keeping their minds sharp and alert (did you know that high-energy dogs can actually develop a condition akin to depression if not provided with enough stimulation?). Walking your dog provides a new set of smells and a change of scenery, giving them stimulation and excitement about being out with their pack (which is you!). Giving your cat time to play – whether it’s with a fancy toy or just dragging a piece of string around for them to run after – can boost their mood and mentally stimulate them. It also tires them out so they’ll be ready for more cuddles on the sofa in the evening!
Social interaction
For social animals, exercise serves as a platform for meaningful interactions. Whether it’s bonding with their owners or engaging with other pets, the social aspect of playtime enhances pet’s emotional intelligence and reduces stress. While cats prefer a mostly solitary life and bonding mainly with their human companions, dogs are pack animals and it’s important to socialize them with other canines – and other animals in general – to avoid behavioural issues. Interactions with other animals encourages cognitive development, problem-solving, and learning. This mental stimulation is vital for keeping their minds active and healthy.
Additional benefits of pet exercise
Making exercise a priority for your pets has many long-term health and happiness benefits. Regular exercise significantly lowers a pet’s chance of obesity, diabetes, and joint issues. Maintaining an active lifestyle is essential to giving your pets longer, healthier life.
Pets that engage in regular exercise are less likely to exhibit destructive behaviors stemming from boredom. Dogs in particular are less prone to excessive barking, digging, or chewing when provided with sufficient physical and mental stimulation.
Dedicating time to bonding with your pet will not just make them happy – studies show that spending time with your pet can lower cortisol and increase oxytocin, helping with relaxation and helping ward off the pro-inflammatory effects of chronic stress.
Different ways to give your pets the exercise and stimulation they need
We are aware that the lack of time makes it difficult to provide your pet with the stimulation and exercise they may need – especially when it comes to the high-energy breeds. It can be challenging to fit long walks or playtime into your busy schedule as an owner. After a long day at work, it can be hard to match your cat’s excitement to chase your shoelace around or throw a ball across the garden!
It can be helpful to have dedicated toys around the house for your pet so that they can play with themselves in a safe manner while you are not at home. Thankfully nowadays you can choose from a wide range of toys for cats, dogs, birds and even rabbits. Working dogs especially love “thinking” toys, such as KONG cones, wobble kibble dispensers, puzzle mats and nosework mats, while cats will enjoy a wide range of catnip-filled toys, tinkling balls and the newest trend: plush fish that “fight back” when attacked!
Designate specific areas within your home or backyard where pets can roam freely. Invest in animal houses that provide safe and stimulating environments. For cats, opt for structures with built-in scratching posts, climbing features, and cozy corners. For dogs, consider spacious dog houses with attached runs for ample movement.
When it comes to your feathered friends, choose chicken coops that allow free-range movement. Include perches, ramps, and nesting boxes to make the coop a dynamic and enriching space for your chickens.
Creating an environment that facilitates exercise is integral to ensuring your pets lead fulfilling lives. Incorporating well-designed animal houses and chicken coops into your home offers a structured approach to promoting physical activity.
As responsible pet owners, our duty extends beyond the basics of food and shelter. Integrating varied exercise into our pets’ routines not only fosters physical health but also nurtures their mental and emotional well-being. In conclusion, there are many reasons to keep your pet stimulated with exercise – the most important being that they will be happy, healthy and full of love for their owner!
Check out our top 3 recommendations for your pets!
The Cat Camp – 50% Larger
- Material: solid fir wood and wire mesh
- Dimensions: 285 x 105 x 175cm / 9.3 x 3.04 x 5.7 ft
- Fully enclosed wooden cat house, a great addition to your patio or back garden
- Large run allows multiple cats to play together at the same time – perhaps a safe space for a new mother
- Multi tier main house with doors and windows for easy access and high quality fresh air flow
- Shelf space for a cat bed, litter box or extra storage
- Made with solid fir construction and sealed with non-toxic, animal friendly varnish
- Roof is covered with asphalt for enhanced weather protection
- Equipped with 2 doors, for easy in or out, and with latches to ensure safety
- Please note: the observation deck window is not a sealed window, it’s open so that your cat(s) can have access to come and go, but larger predators or dogs cannot get in
6 x 3M Dog Run with Roof Cover
- Dimensions: 6 x 3 x 1.8m / 19.6 x 9.8 x 5.9 ft
- Safe and secure
- Strong and sturdy
- Door lock
- Free roof cover
- 33mm galvanised steel tubing
- 60mm x 60mm, 2.1mm thick galvanised coated chain link wire mesh
Cat Castle – 3.6 x 1.2 x 1.8m
with Roof Cover
- Dimensions: 3.6 x 1.2 x 1.8m / 11.8 x 3.9 x 5.9 ft (LxWxH)
- Wire mesh density: 40 x 40mm spaces
- Wire mesh thickness: 2.6mm
- Double door which opens either just at the top or fully, to allow you to put in food etc. without your feline friend(s) escaping
- Door height: 150cm / 4.9 ft
- Flat metal wire mesh roof to keep your Castle secure
- Free roof cover to keep your cat(s) protected from the elements
- Black powder coated finish gives the house an elegant look and protects the metal
- Safe and secure, ensuring that your cat(s) can’t get out and that nothing can get in
- Steel frame: strong and sturdy, so that the house will last for years
- Easy to assemble
