Not only can owning a pet provide the ultimate best friend and a daily boost to your mood, pets can also help keep you active.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, “regular walking or playing with pets can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels.” It’s no wonder so many people have a furry friend!
That’s Fetch Take you pup to an open area for a game of fetch! Send your receiver wide, and see if you can complete the pass! Even if your pup won’t necessarily bring it back to you, one of you will still up getting some exercise!
Walk it Out The quickest way to reach your daily step count is to take your pet out for a walk. We mostly mean dogs, but some cats can become comfortable walking on a leash if introduced at an early age! Even if it’s just a quick walk around the block, you’ll both love the fresh air! Try taking your dog somewhere new each week or let them lead you, and you’ll both become avid explorers in no time! You can even look up trails in your area – many are pet friendly!
Hide and Seek Hide some treats throughout your house, and follow your pet around on the hunt for treasure! This way, you can get in a few trips up and down the staircase to keep active during the day. Or, if you can let your pet off the leash, hide them around your yard! Take advantage of any excuse to get outdoors with your pet when the weather is nice!
Take a Dip If the weather permits, take a swim in a local river or lake! If your dog is “fluffy” or might not be a great swimmer, there are doggy life vests you can find to help assist your swimming buddy! Swimming is a great activity for both of you, and the water resistance can help build muscle! If your dog isn’t a fan of the full dip, you can take a walk around the edge of the water! Any exercise is good exercise!
Dog Dash If your pup is the playing type, chase them around for a game of tag! Or if you have the room, race your dog to the end of the street, field, or open space! But beware - 10/10 times you’ll probably be too slow! Moderate jogging is a quick way to burn calories, and get your heart rate accelerated!
No matter how to choose to spend time with your pet, you will both benefit from the exercise and fresh air!
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