How much exercise do dogs need?

As a dog owner, you’ll know that exercise is an important part of raising a happy and healthy pup. Not only is it fun for your dog (or should be!), but it helps to strengthen the bond between you, provides socialisation and mental stimulation, and offers training opportunities for you both.

Of course, exercise is also incredibly important for your dog’s health. Obesity is becoming increasingly common in dogs, and can significantly reduce the longevity and quality of their life. As naturally active animals, it’s crucial that we provide an exercise routine that helps our dogs live their best lives. The same routine also does wonders for our own mental and physical health – two birds, one stone!

How much exercise is enough?

The amount of exercise your dog needs will change over the course of its lifetime. Let’s look at their needs over some key life stages.

Puppies
If you’ve ever raised a puppy, you’ll be familiar with the boundless energy they come with. Even when relaxing inside for the day, you’ll probably have noticed your pup experiencing the “zoomies” several times a day – literally, racing around the room or in circles until they collapse on the rug for another nap.

While puppies seem to have endless energy to spare, a very long walk once a day is not necessarily the best approach when it comes to exercise. Because their bodies, bones and joints are still developing, it’s best to stick with short bursts of exercise multiple times a day.

Aim for around 6-10 bursts of exercise each day, lasting between 5-10 minutes at a time. And don’t worry – you don’t need to spend your day walking up and down the street. At this age, playing games with your pup counts as exercise. Consider throwing a ball like this Chuckit! Ultra Squeaker Ball around the room or backyard, play tug-o-war with a Yours Droolly rope toy, or practising recall commands.

Adults
Adult dogs that are not yet considered senior can range anywhere from one to nine years of age, depending on their size and breed. With such a broad range, exercise in adult dogs needs to be gauged by the owner, and tailored specifically. For example, a two year old dog will be much more energetic than when they reach eight years of age.

The appropriate amount of exercise for adult dogs will depend a lot on their size and breed. In general, larger and working dogs will need more than smaller or toy breeds. Getting out twice a day is ideal, and this could be for anywhere between 15 to 60 minutes a time, depending on your dog’s needs.

Breeds in the hunting, working or herding groups – like labradors, retrievers, hounds, collies and shepherds – will need the most exercise, which could be up to two hours of rigorous exercise per day. On the flip side, short-nosed dogs like bulldogs will tolerate much less exercise and may be perfectly happy with a daily stroll around the neighbourhood.

Senior or injured dogs
Though a senior dog may lose some of its youthful exuberance as it ages, it’s still important that they get out and about regularly. Not only does it help to keep their joints moving, but it also provides important mental stimulation, socialisation and bonding time with you that will help to keep them happy and content. It also helps to keep them at a healthy weight.

As a general guide, a senior dog may require as little as half of the exercise they enjoyed when they were younger. For most breeds, you should start reducing exercise when they’re between 6 and 8 years old, but it’s best to discuss this first with your vet.

You’ll need to keep a close eye on your dog during exercise in the senior years, as you don’t want to push them further than they’re comfortable. Dogs can be eager to please their humans, sometimes at the risk of injuring themselves. Try to adjust your walking pace to theirs, don’t force them to run, and if your old boy still loves ‘fetch’, consider rolling the ball along the grass rather than throwing it.

Check out the Chuckit! range for different toys to play fetch with.

Signs your dog may need more exercise

As a dog owner, you may worry whether your current exercise routine is enough for your pup. There are a few common signs you can watch out for that may signal your dog needs to burn off a little more steam:

• Weight gain – one of the first signs of under exercise can be an increase in weight. If your dog is eating the same amount as normal but putting on weight, it may be time to extend their walks a little at a time.
• Destructive behaviour – if your dog is acting out around the home or working his way through your shoe collection, it may be a sign that they’re a bit bored and in need of another outlet for their energy. If you do need to leave your pup home alone, try to wear them out a little beforehand so they’re more likely to use the time alone resting or sleeping.
• Barking or whining – another way for your dog to communicate their restlessness is through their voice. If your dog is barking and whining at you, particularly when they haven’t been out for a while, or they’re hanging around the door or their leash, indulge them – they’re trying to tell you they want to hang out!
• Hyperactivity – dogs often get excited when they know they’re heading out for an adventure, but if you feel their energy levels are bordering on hyperactivity or they’re excessively pulling on the lead, it may mean they have a bit too much pent up energy.
• Withdrawal or depression – conversely, if you begin to notice that your dog no longer engages with you as much and tends to curl up in the corner, your pup may be feeling a little blue. Just like humans, exercise can make a huge difference here. However, speak with your vet first just to rule out any other underlying causes for withdrawal.
• Stiffness – if your dog isn’t getting out and about often enough and using their body, they could begin to suffer from joint stiffness or seem a little unfit when they take the stairs. If your dog begins to resist exercise, it’s best to check in with your vet to come up with a plan.

Keep an eye on their diet

If you’re making significant changes to your dog’s exercise routine, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on their food intake at the same time. It’s unlikely that your dog will need double the food when you double the amount of time spent exercising, but some small tweaks to their diet plan could be appropriate. Always make sure you are feeding your dog a nutritionally balanced diet suitable for their life stage and size.

For any questions on exercising your dog and their nutritional needs, don't hesitate to reach out out one of Pet Direct's Customer Service Experts on 0800 200 240.

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