How does walking help my dog's health? | Walk Your Dog Month

It’s a new year and it’s January, which means it’s National Walk Your Dog Month.

This month-long event was set to bring awareness to the importance of walking your dog as it’s a means to ensure that your dog will live a longer, happier, and healthier life. 

Shared by National Today:

Over 56%?

Over 50 million dogs?

The numbers are too high even for a 2017 report. 

With regular exercise and walks, the quality of your dog’s life is improved because the activity can influence their physical, emotional, and mental health. 

Benefit #1: Your dog is at lower risk for obesity.

Obesity can have negative effects on your dog’s health in various ways. For one, the added weight they carry can cause their knee joints to become inflamed and experience degradation which then affects their mobility. VCA Hospitals reports, “Obese dogs develop an increased risk for: many types of cancer, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and hypertension. osteoarthritis and a faster degeneration of affected joints.”

Benefit #2: It keeps them happy!

Explained by AnimalFoundation.com, “Walking your dog regularly provides a basic foundation for physical and mental health. Like a child, your dog wants to know the world. If he or she is confined to the house for too long, your dog will get bored, and boredom can lead to destructive behavior. Your dog is dependent on you to take them out to explore the sights, smells, and sounds of the world. This is why it’s also good to vary the places you take your pet as dog much as possible. You’ve probably noticed how busy (and excited) your dog gets when he or she is walking, so let them enjoy every opportunity to discover!”

Benefit #3: Your dog improves their socialization skills. 

Going out on walks means there’s potential for running into other people or dogs. Giving your dogs the opportunity to see these people and canine colleagues help improve their socialization skills, making them more adjusted. 

For the month of January, we invite you to be more mindful and involved in your dog’s daily exercise. Here are a few things you can do for Walk Your Dog Month:

• Gear up and take a road trip to explore a popular park, trail, etc.
• Schedule “Game Days”. It’s like game night but with your dog playing their favorite games outdoors!
• Let your dog lead you and explore!

Happy walking!

What you’ve just read is a sampling of blog posts we offer at Joyride Harness. We cover current events, informational posts, interviews, and more! You can find more content including tips and tricks and how-tos for caring for your dog on our blog at this section.