Trying to stay in shape? Your pet can be your workout buddy!
It’s so good to have a pet! It doesn’t matter if it is a dog, cat, parrot, turtle, goldfish, or hamster: when it comes to well-being and happiness, having a pet makes all the difference. They are a source of joy – especially under the coronavirus pandemic when many of us turned to pets for comfort, affection, and companionship. And they can also be your workout buddies! A study by the University of Liverpool found that dogs are among the best motivators to go out and live an active and healthy life. A new large-scale study of dogs and exercise, also by the University of Liverpool, revealed that dogs can strongly influence how much people exercise. So, check five ways your pet can help you stay in shape!
How about a ride?
What dog doesn’t love to walk? Outside is the perfect place to poop and pee, smell new scents, run and play. Also, regular walks can reduce common behavioral problems. For you, a good walk can do wonders: it lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, decreases the risks of heart problems, improves anxiety and stress levels, and helps strengthen your muscles. If you’re looking for more action, you can always go jogging. Just remember that not all dogs are built to jog. If you want to speed things up, choose a breed that is suited to distance-running and gradually build up an exercise program to physically prepare it for the effort. And, of course, don’t forget to take your friend for periodic checkups at the vet to see if it is up for the challenge!
Rolling around
If you prefer wheels to walking, you can take your dog cycling or even rollerblading with you. Of course, those require some special training. You have to start slow, in short routes, teaching your dog to run next to the bicycle or rollerblade without pulling. Attaching the leash to your bike with a springer can be very helpful since it absorbs some of the force of your dog’s tugs. Rewarding good behavior with treats may also help the learning. After that, just enjoy the ride!
Play ball
If you are a soccer fanatic, your dog can be too. Many pet shops offer soccer balls for dogs, with different sizes to suit each breed. You can also use an ordinary soccer ball – just be careful not to hurt your pet! So, just look for a place with plenty of space and practice kicking the ball, training your dog to return it with his nose or paws. It’s a fun exercise – and it burns a lot of calories! Note: it also works with other sports such as basketball and football. Be creative!
Go fetch!
Frisbee is a classic activity for dogs. It is a casual game that you can play in your own backyard, a square, or a park. The exercise consists of throwing the plastic disc (there are several models and sizes, available in pet stores), and your pet must fetch it. And you can practice a lot of new movements and tricks you’re your dog! With so much throwing, running, and jumping, the exercise helps to develop motor coordination and the muscles of the shoulders and arms and, in addition, can burn up to 175 calories per hour.
Do you wanna dance?
If you want something calmer, you can also practice dance or yoga with your dog. That’s right! There are special courses for both cases, as well as numerous tutorials on YouTube. The benefits of both include burning calories and developing greater endurance, balance, lower blood pressure, and better muscle tone. But, of course, it takes patience to train your pet, understand its limitations, and have fun with its company!
