The general recommendation is that dogs need at least thirty (30) minutes of physical activity a day, and cats should strive for three five-minute structured play periods.
How you spend those exercise minutes will determine if you do it or not and if you stick to those activities. Make your interactions enjoyable, entertaining, and interactive to keep your dog and cat engaged and enjoying these physical activities.
Cat owners, don’t ignore the essential role of physical activity for your cat’s physical and mental health and well-being. Whether you play with a feather duster or favorite toy, move the food bowl each feeding, or use a hip, high-tech toy, engage your cat’s inner predator and encourage it to pounce, leap, and prowl for several minutes at least three times per day.
Pet activity monitors are a great tool to document how much your pet is walking or playing each day. Better yet, you can share these reports with your veterinarian to identify any deficiencies or ways to optimize your training.
Dogs and cats with excess fat are at greater risk for developing diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and many forms of cancer.
You need to have a frank conversation with your veterinarian to find out if your pet is potentially facing one of these weight-related disorders. If so, what can you do to reduce their odds of developing these conditions?
Preventing disease is our primary focus and one of the reasons we are passionate about the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and proper nutrition. The most important decision you make each day about your pet’s health is what you choose to feed it. Choose wisely; your pet’s longevity and quality of life depend on it. The few minutes you spend on diet and weight could be the difference between two additional years of high-quality life or a shortened, suffering final stage of life.