How to Exercise Your Dog or Cat

Our furry pals have natural instincts to run, stretch and play, but owner interaction is the best way to make sure your pet is getting the right amount of exercise. Taking steps to boost your pet's physical fitness can have great benefits — including better sleep, fewer digestion issues, improved agility, reduced behavior issues and enhanced enjoyment of life. More movement throughout the day may also reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and other health conditions in dogs and cats. Below, we discuss how much exercise your dog or cat needs, signs your pet needs more exercise, and how to exercise your dog or cat.

How much exercise does a dog or cat need?

Like humans, pets can have widely different activity needs based on factors like age, breed, size and diet. For example, herding dog breeds tend to do best with two or more longer fitness sessions a day, while short-nosed dogs need spurts of light exercise in cooler weather to accommodate their breathing issues. Toy dog breeds are more prone to obesity, so it's important to get these kinds of pets moving often. Be sure to check in with your vet about the optimal cat and dog exercise needs.

Signs your pet needs more exercise

Be on the lookout for the following indicators that your pet may not be getting enough exercise.

• Weight gain
• Problems socializing with other pets
• Low stamina, fatigue
• Stiffness and difficulty sitting or standing
• Hyperactivity
• Barking/meowing and other attention-seeking behaviors
• Destructive behavior

Before you introduce new activities or boost your pet's exercise intensity, it's a good idea to consult with your vet first to make sure any underlying issues, like joint or other mobility issues, aren't a factor.

Fitness ideas for your dog and cat

Keeping pets in tip-top shape isn't always as easy as taking the dog for a walk or buying the cat a new toy. The good news is there are many fun and creative ways pet parents can fit exercise into their furry friend's routine. Get your dog or cat off the couch with the ideas below.

Dog exercise ideas

• Find a good swimming hole
• Try the newer fetch toys that let you throw farther, like launchers and discs
• Turn your usual walk into a longer one, a jog or an all-terrain hike, and reward your pet with a tiny treat at certain intervals
• Look for flyball (canine relay races) and dog agility classes through your local dog park, dog clubs, humane society or pet supply store
• Visit dog parks to encourage running and playful wrestling with other dogs

Cat exercise ideas

• Make your kitty work to get her treat with a cat puzzle feeder
• Play with a cat laser pointer
• Instigate active play every day with a string, feather, ball or other toys
• Create a mini obstacle course with boxes or invest in a cat exercise wheel

Asking your veterinarian for recommendations on pet health issues, including cat and dog fitness needs and diet, may help your dog or cat live a longer, healthier life. Remember that you can use your CareCredit credit card to pay for many types of pet care costs. To get in touch with a qualified vet practice near you that accepts CareCredit, please visit the Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App.