Exercise is Essential

Our pets love to exercise. If you doubt this, ask yourself if you've ever had to resort to spelling ("I'm thinking of taking you-know-who for a W-A-L-K in the P-A-R-K") so as not to send your dog into gravity-defying leaps of excitement.

Your dog is excited about more than just the walk. They're psyched to be able to spend time with you! They crave their daily "Mom/Dad fix" as much as they do a good game of fetch. Even cats, which we don't think of as being the models of exercise discipline, enjoy a round of chase the feather or follow the laser light.

Use exercise time to bond with your pet. Pat their head and congratulate them when they bring the ball back (or even if they don't). Give them a belly rub when it's all over. A healthy pet is a happy pet. Your pet's mind-body connection operates not unlike your own. What makes our pets healthy are the same things that work for us-eating right, exercising, and time spent with people we love.

Article by Dr. Jeff Werber, DVM