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How to Exercise Your Pet

Nov 07, 2022

You should maintain a healthy lifestyle for your pets to ensure they live long and enjoyable lives. One of the challenges you will face with this method is to provide adequate and regular exercise for your pets. Each pet will have different exercise requirements. However, you can follow a broad guideline that might hint at how to proceed with exercise regimens.

Here are a few tips to plan an exercise plan for your mammalian and avian pets.

Dogs

You can take your dog on walks, which is a great way to get them some fresh air and allow them to explore their surroundings. You can also play fetch with them or go for a run with them if they can keep up. If you have a backyard, letting them run around and explore there is also a great way to let them burn off some energy.

Another way to exercise your dog is through training sessions. Training can help them build obedience with commands, but it can also be a good workout for them as well. You can have them sit, stay, lay down, come when called, and more. This exercise not only keeps their bodies active but their minds as well.

You can also sign up for dog agility classes which are becoming increasingly popular. In these classes, your dog will need to jump over hurdles, walk across narrow beams, go through tunnels, and more. This approach is a great way to give them a full-body workout while also having fun.

Cats

Most cats enjoy a good game of chasing, stalking, and leaping after toys. You can harness this natural predatory behavior to give your cat much-needed exercise. Use a wand toy or fishing pole toy to entice your cats to jump, stalk and pounce. Let them catch the toy occasionally, so they feel successful and motivated to keep playing.

Set up an obstacle course in your home using furniture, boxes, or tunnels for your cat to navigate. Start with easy courses and make them more challenging as your cat becomes more skilled at maneuvering around obstacles.

Play hide and seek with your cat by hiding behind furniture or around corners and popping out to surprise them as they search for you. This game will also help your cat use its problem-solving skills as it tries to figure out where you're hiding.

Create a homemade tunnel by cutting a hole in the center of a cardboard box large enough for your cat to fit through easily. Your cat will love running back and forth through the tunnel, especially if you place treats or toys inside it as motivation.

Birds

The most common way to exercise your bird is to provide an open flying area, such as in a converted garage or shed. You can also take your bird for walks on a leash or let them out of its cage to fly around your home.

You can also use play to exercise your bird. You can purchase toys specifically designed for birds or make your own. Popular toys include swings, ladders, and perches. Playing with your bird exercises them physically and provides mental stimulation.

Small Animals

You can let out your small pet to explore and roam around in a safe area. You can get your small pet some exercise and let them have some fun. You can also use exercise tools like wheels or disks where they can run and expend some energy. Finally, you can play with them inside your home. This method also provides a great way to bond with your small pet.

Pets deserve a lot of love, care, and attention. Healthy exercise and a balanced diet will give your pets a healthy lifestyle and keep you company for longer. One more action you can take for your pets is a regular veterinary check-up. Visit us at Pet Medical Center of Vero Beach for pet veterinary services.

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