54% Of American Dogs Don’t Get Enough Exercise

(Sheridan, Wyo) If you’ve ever raised a puppy, you know how much energy they can have. You also know that they need lots of exercise, but they aren’t the only ones. All types of dogs of all ages need daily exercise and the majority of them aren’t getting it.

According to results released by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention in 2016, it is estimated that 54% of dogs in the US are overweight or obese. Richard Cross, editor of The Dog Clinic, says, “A large number of dog owners also don’t provide daily walks – often because they don’t realize the health problems this causes.”

Cross decided that he wanted to help dog owners provide enough exercise for their pets, preventing heart disease, diabetes and obesity. The Dog Clinic recently published their complete guide to dog exercise. The guide goes into great detail, providing specific guidelines for how much exercise a dog needs based on breed, age and health (all backed by research). It also includes tips for providing mental stimulation for dogs, which is just as important as physical exercise.

By the way it’s not just dogs. 59% of cats are estimated to be overweight or obese also. Do your animal companions a favor and help them stay in shape!