My Joy Of Living

Chances are, you find it pretty challenging to roll out of bed each morning, grab your running shoes, and head out the door for a five-mile jog.  However, you know regular exercise is good for you on so many levels.  What about physical fitness for our pets?  Is running through the house barking your head off when the door bell rings enough to get the fitness level up to respectable levels?  Probably not, unless someone is constantly ringing your doorbell.

Pets do require a regular fitness regimen to keep them on the road to good health.  According to www.home.ivillage.com/pets, you are the first key to any fitness program for your cat or dog.  You need to find the motivation, develop a routine, and get out there and exercise with your pet!

Make an appointment with your pet’s health.  Set up a few times each week to get outside and go for a walk or a run with your pet.  Granted, cats are probably not good for running on a leash as dogs are.  If you schedule the time muck like an actual appointment, you are less likely to deviate from that schedule.

Experts tend to agree that 30 minutes a day, four times a week, is enough exercise for a dog.  However, just like it is for humans, a daily workout would be better.  For the feline persuasion, experts suggest 15 minutes of exercise each day to keep a cat healthy.  However, two 15 minute sessions for indoor cats are optimal.

Just like you would consult with your physician before engaging in any fitness routine, please be sure to check with your vet first before starting your cat or dog on a physical fitness program.

Some ideas for the dog set include playing fetch with your pooch.  Go for a long walk.  Go for a jog.  Play a wild game of chase.  If your dog is a water-lover, go for a swim!  Have fun!  Whatever game you can drum up that will get your dog’s heart pounding is great!

Cats are much different than dogs, so the requirements differ here. Cats tend to engage in social play, such as romping, wrestling, and chasing.  Or, they get into object play, such as stalking, pouncing, or chasing an object around the house.  When it comes to exercising your cat, focus on the object play.

Some objects that make great fitness props include feather toys, furry toy mice, toy balls on slick floors, catnip toys, or even laser toys.  (Just make sure not to beam the laser into the cat’s eyes!)

Are there some great benefits to all of this?  You bet there are!  Pets who experience regular exercise tend to act out less frequently.  They will gain social skills through the constant interaction with you.  You will bond with your pet.  Above all, the health of your pet will be improved and he/she can most likely live a longer, healthier, and happier life!

So, go get those running shoes on!  What are you waiting for?