Healthy Exercise Tips
Our pet’s are a member of the family, and we want to keep them safe and healthy. A healthy pet is fit, not fat. Often we are tempted when we get home from a long day at work to plop down on the TV with our chips and pop and ignore our pet’s begging to go out and play. Pet exercise involves YOU. Pet’s generally do not exercise by themselves, they need you to take them for a walk, direct exercise play and keep them moving. If your pet is overweight and needs some extra exercise, here are some easy tips:
1. Keep is simple. Over-exercising an obese animal will do more harm than good. Excess stess and strain on an already stressed cardiac, respiratory and musculorskeletal system can be dangerous. Be sure to watch closely for signs of fatigue and adjust your exercise regime as needed. 2. As your pet adjusts to a new exercise routine, the intensity of the exercise can be increased gradually. Start with 2 easy 5-15 minute walks a day, then slowing increase it to 2-3 30 minute brisk walks per day. 3. Change up your exercise to make it fun and interesting. Play games like fetch, frisby and catch. Also don’t forget joint-friendly activities like swimming. 4. Allow your dog to play with other dogs if appropriate. They can have fun chasing and running with each other too. 5. Make sure you always have fresh water available, especially when it is hot to prevent overheating. 6. Increase your household activities and invite your pet to join you. The more you walk around, so will your pets. 7. Join a pet group like obedience or agility training. It is a great way to get out and moving and enjoy other people with their pets. 8. Exercise your pet everyday. If you have a cat who does not walk on a leash, play with ping pong balls, remote controlled toys, feathers on a pole or other commercially available toys. Playtime with our pets can be fun – so be creative and get out and enjoy some exercise together.
Dog Headstones are a fitting way to pay tribute to our lost furry family member and a personal way to say “Good-bye”.