what are some of the health benefits of walking your dog?
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Learn 4 Ways Walking Your Dog a Few Minutes a Day Helps Fight Arthritis, Obesity & Improves Mental Health
For both you and your best little buddy...
The Arthritis Foundation—Hey dog lovers...studies show that regular dog walks can help you shed up to 14 pounds in a year compared to people that don't have dogs (and don't walk as much).
If you suffer from arthritis symptoms this can mean you may get some relief just by spending time with your best dude outdoors.
According to Robert Kushner, clinical director for Northwestern University,
“walking is one of the best things people with arthritis can do both for their joints and general health”
So now you know walking with your dog will improve your life, but what other specific health benefits can you and your dog get from a few minutes of walking a day?
Arthritis Benefits (For you and your dog)
If you suffer with arthritis symptoms there are a few ways walking your dog regularly can help ease the symptoms.
The most obvious is that walking more can help you lose weight. Experts say that even a 5lb weight loss can lead to more mobility and increased quality of life.
Not only that, but the act of walking with your dog gets your joints moving which helps improve their function.
If you have especially painful wrists, hands or shoulders there are devices that can help you walk your dog more comfortably.
Our most popular devices is the Gismo Dog Walking Device.
The "I'm Gismo" dog walking device isn't a fancy leash holder.
It's A LOT more than that.
The handle is soft and gives you a good grip to hang onto your dog with ease, but without making your hands sore.
You will not believe how comfortable this "Gismo" is to use!
Add the flashlight add on or the dual leash holder and you can walk safely at night, with 2 dogs...all with ease.
Digestive / Urinary Health Benefits
Your dog can wait to go to the bathroom if they have to, but it's better for his/her health to have a regulated bladder. Taking regular walks with your pup will train his body to get on schedule for bathroom time.
This will benefit your dogs health too. When urine sits in the bladder for too long it can cause infections, so giving him the opportunity to empty the bladder can help prevent that.
Bonding Helps Dampen Annoying Behavior
Do you have a dog that whines, barks or chews things in your home that shouldn't be chewed?
If so, this may be because he/she is bored. The simple act of going on a short dog walk will help prevent boredom.
Dogs want to sniff and explore outside. Boredom may be why your dog chews furniture or barks too much.
Walking and getting outside can be a great cure for that. The mental stimulation that comes with a nice relaxing walk is is constructive for dogs. The more your dog can use his/her brain for constructive activities the less he will want to do destructive things like chew furniture.
If you do have a dog that loves to chew on furniture or other non-edibles there are also products that can help with that.
You can try something like an all natural "bitter apple" spray that most dogs hate the taste of. Many times a few sprays on your furniture or shoes can stop dogs from wanting to chew.
If you want to encourage healthy chewing there are flavor infused nylon bones that dogs go wild for that you can try for some "constructive" chewing.
Fight Obesity (good for humans and dogs)
According to studies, 53% of dogs are overweight. Obese dogs tend to have more issues with joint pain or trouble and heart issues.
A very easy way to keep you and your dog fit are to take regular walks.
There's not enough that can be said for the health benefits of getting outside and taking a walk with a good dog!
Dog Walkers are Ahead of the Curve
The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that to be a healthy adult we should walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week whenever possible.
Studies have shown that only 4 out of 10 boring non-dog-owners walk this much. But dog owners almost double that because we are more awesome.
The studies showed that 7 out of 10 dog owners are getting this much exercise.
So if you are a regular dog walker, congratulations...you are doing more for your health than your non-dog owning counterparts.