April is Active Dog Month. This month-long celebration encourages pet owners and their dogs to enjoy some extra exercise together. With the hopefully warmer weather, it’s a great time to get outside with your furry friend and expend some extra energy!

Physical activity is important for your dog. Let’s take a look at why that is and how you can incorporate exercise into their lifestyle.

Importance of Physical Activity

Regular physical activity not only helps maintain your dog’s physical health, it can be fun for both of you and encourage you to get moving a little more. Getting enough exercise is important to your dog for a number of reasons:

Regular physical activity…

1. Helps keep your dog’s joints and muscles healthy and limber.
2. Assists with the management of your dogs’ weight.
3. Decreases the risk of health issues.
4. Builds trust between you and your dog, strengthening your relationship.
5. Expends excess energy that might otherwise be channelled into behavioural problems including excessive licking, chewing, digging and boredom.
6. Provides mental and intellectual stimulation.

How Much Activity Should My Dog Get?

The amount of exercise your dog needs depends on their size, age and breed.

Puppies tend to have short bursts of energy throughout the day, while senior dogs prefer a slow stroll through the neighborhood. High-energy dog breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers or Border Collies, will need more exercise than lower-energy breeds, like Bulldogs or Bichon Frises.

Generally, a good amount of exercise is 30 to 90 minutes per day. Take into account any health issues your dog has. You can also consult with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate intensity and frequency of exercise for your dog. If you notice your dog consistently getting into mischief, not sleeping well at night, or barking more than usual, they may not be getting enough exercise throughout the day.

Nutritional Needs Vary With Activity

Not all dogs are equally active. The average physical activity for a household dog is two hours or less per day. For dogs that exceed 2 hours of exercise per day (e.g. working dogs, athletes, etc.), we suggest following our feeding guidelines for active dogs. This supplies them with a higher caloric intake, as well as higher nutrient levels to sustain an active lifestyle. 

Our Nutram Total Grain-Free recipes are a great option for supporting an active lifestyle. These recipes are naturally higher in both calories, along with high-quality protein, to foster an environment for muscle development.

If your dog is more active in certain seasons, it’s important to readjust their caloric intake back to normal in the off-activity periods.

Let’s Get Active!

There are lots of fun and creative ways to incorporate activity into your dog’s day. A tired dog is a happy dog!

Indoor activities

• Play hide and seek. Place treats behind doors or under bowls and chairs.
• Introduce food fitness games. Place an unstable object in front of the food bowl for your dog to balance and build limb strength.
• Find puzzle games specific to canines.
• Learn and practice a new trick.

Outdoor activities

• Go for a walk, jog or run. Make it longer than usual and explore a new area.
• Play fetch.
• Active play, which includes throwing a ball, stick or frisbee.
• If your dog likes the water, when the weather warms up, take them for a swim.
• Create an obstacle course. This can be done indoors too.

This April, get moving with your canine friend! Start slow and gradually build the activity level over time to keep things fun and avoid overdoing it. Together, you and your pet can take advantage of all the benefits of an active lifestyle.

We’d love to hear your stories. Share your active photos and fitness tips by using #ActiveDogMonth on social media. See you out there!