How Walking Supplies Pets With Health

Just like humans require cardiovascular workouts, your pet needs exercise for weight maintenance and overall health. While any type of challenging exercise is good for your animal, dogs benefit physically, emotionally and mentally from walking on a regular basis with their owner.

Physical Health

• Walking is one of the best ways to exercise your dog. While dogs do receive some physical benefits from running and playing in their yard, walking allows the heart to receive a sustained level of exercise.


• This type of exercise helps to build muscle tone. In addition, walking is a great way to help your pet lose pounds or maintain a healthy weight.

Emotional Health

• Walking teaches pets how to socialize with others. While on walks, your pet will see adults, children, insects, animals and other pets. The pet will hear sounds from cars, sirens and airplanes. These encounters will help your animal learn to interact with other aspects of his environment.


• Pets who are walked daily form strong bonds with their owners. You will be closer to your animal, and the pet will feel a greater sense of loyalty.

Mental Health

• While walking with your pet, you will establish yourself as a pack leader. Dogs who know the social hierarchy in their families are happier, and walking will help the dog learn that you are the leader of his pack.


• Animals need to walk regularly to expend excess energy. This is especially true of large, aggressive or energetic dogs.