Fitness is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle for people, so it is no surprise that the same is true for pets. Animals are not designed to remain sedentary all day long. In fact, a sedentary lifestyle can lead to a variety of problems. Here are the top reasons why pets need to be exercised regularly.

Weight Control

Regular exercise is important for helping your pet maintain a good weight. Inactivity naturally leads to weight gain, which can be taxing on any pet. Keep in mind that a couple of pounds of weight gain on a pet may not seem like a lot to you, but it can put an enormous amount of pressure on your dog or cat’s joints. Getting your pet out for regular exercise sessions can help prevent unwanted weight gain.

Improved Mood

Just like humans, pets need regular activity to stay happy and upbeat. Inactive pets are more likely to become depressed than active pets. Animals have a lot of energy and they need to be able to expend it to enjoy fitness and the highest quality of life.

Keep in mind that not all breeds require the same amount of activity to stay happy. Some dogs may need just half an hour of physical exertion to be satisfied, while others may need hours of activity. High-energy breeds, such as Belgian Malinois and Border Collies, tend to be more energetic than Basset Hounds and other low-energy breeds. These dogs need frequent trips outside and opportunities to run around off-leash.

Greater Longevity

Pets are likely to live longer when they are active instead of sedentary. While you probably cannot take your cat out for a while as you do with your dog, you can still encourage healthy physical activity with toys. Cats love to chase things around the house, including strings and even pinpoint laser lights. Encouraging regular chasing games can help keep your cat healthy and increase its longevity.

It is important to keep in mind that senior pets don’t require quite as much activity as puppies or kittens. However, you should still encourage daily physical activity. Talk with your vet about how much activity is appropriate for your senior cat or dog. You should also carefully observe your pet’s behavior to determine if the activities you are encouraging are causing pain or discomfort. As your dog ages, you may want to take it for gentle, short walks instead of long, swift-paced jogs through the park.

Mental Stimulation

In addition to stimulating blood flow and physical fitness, regular exercise can also stimulate your pet’s brain. All of the sights, sounds and smells you encounter when you’re walking outside help to keep your dog alert and engaged. These are important things to do, especially as your pet gets older.

Improved Bond

Exercising and having fun with your pets inevitably strengthens your bond. Dogs are especially likely to become loyal to the person they regularly run or exercise with.

Your exercise routine does not have to be the same every day. Try playing flyball with your dog or taking him through an obstacle course. Offer plenty of verbal rewards whenever he shows great sportsmanship or learns new skills. You might even want to try tracking, which is a great activity for certain dogs that are bred to track. Simply lay out a scent trail in advance and allow it to age for a couple of hours. Then, encourage your dog to find the object at the end of the scent trail and watch the animal show off its abilities!

If you do not feel like getting out and exercising when your dog has a lot of energy, consider taking it to a dog park where your pet can socialize and play with other dogs. Or, if you have more than one dog, let them run around and play together outside for an hour or so.

In addition to all these benefits, you will find that taking your dog for walks or regularly playing with your cat is good for your mental and physical fitness as well. The relationship between humans and animals can be very fulfilling and even healing. So, get to work and start engaging in physical exercise with your pet today.