5 reasons to walk your pet - even in winter

For many people, January brings thoughts of better health – new year, new you. We can also resolve to get (or keep) our pets healthier, even if we haven’t started yet. One of the easiest ways for people, and pets, to become (or stay) healthier is by walking.
 
January is Walk Your Pet Month. Here are five good reasons to walk your pet:

1. Curbs obesity. Overweight pets are common, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, and that extra weight is unhealthy for them, causing medical issues such as respiratory conditions, liver and kidney disorders, and joint inflammation. Obesity impacts life expectancy as well.
2. Overcoming boredom. Pets left alone for hours while the humans are at work or school can become bored, and when bored, they may become destructive. Therefore, interacting with the outdoors and exploring the neighborhood via a walk in the morning, afternoon, or evening will help your pet mentally as well as physically.
3. Increases socialization opportunities. Whether strolling through a park or around the neighborhood, your pet receives opportunities to engage with other animals and people. That’s a benefit for you, too. Pet-lovers often converse with other pet-lovers, broadening the scope of human connection, which is emotionally and mentally healthy for us in this technological era.
4. Strengthens your bond. Spending time with your pet while walking increases the connection between the two of you. Such quality time is important to your pet’s behavioral development, generating increased trust and bonding.
5. Promotes better health in you, too. According to the Mayo Clinic, walking helps manage heart disease, high blood pressure, weight, and depression. It’s a quality exercise nearly every person can do.

 
If your dog is one of those that doesn’t walk well on a leash, and therefore, you avoid walks with your canine friend, there are many avenues you can take to train him/her. One includes visiting PetCo or PetSmart and enrolling in a training program offered at the store or enrolling in a class offered by your local Kennel Club chapter. Another is to hire a trainer. Or, you can do it yourself by reviewing instructions on sites like YouTube. There are also many great articles online about training your dog, including ones by Cesar Milan and the American Kennel Club, which you’ll find below:
https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-training/walking/6-tips-for-mastering-the-dog-walk
 
http://www.akc.org/content/dog-training/articles/teach-puppy-walk-leash/
 
Dogs aren’t the only pets that can be trained to walk on a leash – ferrets can as well and so can cats. Both my mother and I have had cats that were leash-trained, and when I visited and volunteered at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in southern Utah, I took one cat for a walk on a leash and took another for a stroll in a baby buggy. Walking on a harness and leash allows kitties to explore the outdoors and breath fresh air safely. Learn how to train your cat to walk well on a leash by visiting this Best Friends’ site: https://bestfriends.org/resources/walking-cat.
 
Even though winter is upon us, walking with your pet outdoors can still be done. See the infographic below, created by NorthStar VETS of New Jersey, on how to walk safely outdoors with your pet during the cold and snowy months.
 
Keep your New Year’s resolution to get and stay healthy – and resolve to keep your pet healthy, too, – by sharing quality walks with your furry friend.

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