Dogs can be great fun to exercise as you get to go out and about and have exercise yourself. Just like people who are new to exercise, you should start your dog off slow with 15 minutes a day of moderately paced walking and swimming. After a few months your pet will be able to handle long fast walks without fatigue and then can start jogging or running with you.
Please keep these things in mind when exercising your dog:
* Make sure your pet is kept well hydrated.
* Watch for any signs of fatigue or breathing trouble. If your pet wants to stop, stop.
* Safety first--dogs often run into the path of a cars. Try to purchase a collar or reflectives for your dog that people can see if exercising at night.
Example:
Reflecting Flea and Tick Dog Collar
Price: $22
* Only run on surfaces that would be comfortable for your bare feet
* If the weather is too extreme outside, play fetch inside.
Cats
Cats are quite a bit different than dogs, and prefer only brief activities over long exercise sessions. There are wide selection of toys you can buy to get your cat active, here are some examples:
* Things that can be hit. Anything light that moves easily across the floor can give your cat a chance to practice hitting and chasing. Balled up paper works well. Just make sure that she's not batting anything she could chew up or swallow.
Example:
Fling-String Cat Toy
Price: $30
This lean, mean, string-flinging machine is a battery-operated cat toy that hangs on any door knob. A cord flings in & out for your cats non-stop amusement!
* Things that can be chased. The end of a moving string should bring out the predator in even the most sedentary cat. Again, just make sure you pet doesn't swallow the string.
Example:
Set of 9 Cat Mouse Toys
Price: $30
Multipacks save alot of money over time and let you offer your cats a variety of different mice to play with.
* Things that can be scratched. Scratching stretches and tones the muscles in your cat's shoulders and back. A scratching post--or even a piece of cardboard or carpet--can keep your pet active without your furniture taking the brunt.
Example:
The Cosmic Alpine Scratcher
Price: $30
This cat scratcher is pre-treated with catnip to turn your cat into a regular scratch-board addict! A replacement scratchboard from the manufacturer is available with the product warranty so your pet always has his or her scratch-nip fix.
Don't use your hand or fingers as "bait" or as the object of teasing. This teaches your pet that it is all right to scratch and bite your hands.
And finally (don't forget)--Some cats can even be trained to walk outside on a leash!
