One of the best things about having a pet is finding different activities to keep them active. Now that it’s summer, it’s time for both of you to get more vitamin D back in your lives and take some steps towards a healthy and happy season ahead.

While having a dog increases a person’s recreational walking by at least 30 minutes a week, sometimes you need to break from the same old routine. We’ve got some ideas on how to get back out there with your pet:

Find some local hiking trails

Give you and your dog a change of scenery from your normal walk route. Find some local hiking trails around your city and plan an excursion to explore them. It’s a great way to give yourself a more challenging and exciting walk and spend some quality time with your pup. If that isn’t inspiring enough, check the #hikingwithdogs tag on Instagram and set a goal to snap your on pics to contribute.

Go for a run

If you’re a runner or simply just looking to get into running, it’s a fantastic way to get more active with your dog. While you’re probably aware that you shouldn’t run long distances without training, the same is also true for your dog. A veterinarian who started her own running club for dogs and their pet parents has created this running program to help beginners get into the running groove with their pet. Follow the program and you’ll be running 5 to 6 miles with your pup in just 6 weeks.

Explore different parks

Chances are that your city has a variety of parks or dog parks. If you’ve yet to explore them, this nicer weather gives you a great chance to! Set a goal to check out a different one every week or two to change things up for you and your dog. Pack a picnic lunch and a frisbee if you have the time to make an afternoon of it.

If they have an off-leash area, it’s helpful to take your pup to play with the others dogs, burn off some energy, and help with socializing them with other dogs. Socialization isn’t only important when your pet is a puppy, it’s just as important for adult dogs to be around others dogs.

Also be sure to give your dog a cool down period before returning home. Gillian Ridgeway, Nutram Pet Wellness Expert & Professional Trainer, recommends a 15 minute walk on a lead to cool down so that your dog doesn’t come home still in “park mode.” This will help your pup to return home nice and relaxed after being active. Walking to and from the park, if this is an option, is perfect to give your pet a nice warmup and cool down transitioning period.

Teach your cat to walk on a leash

If you have a cat and want to encourage it to be more active, invest in a leash and harness to teach your cat how to walk with it. This is especially useful when you have to take your cat to the vet or when you’re travelling with it. This guide from Adventure Cats features some helpful tips to how to introduce the harness to your cat and how to get them outside.

Be sure to also check out our post outlining 5 reasons to incorporate your dog into your fitness routine!

How do you get active with your pet? Show us over on Instagram!