Terra Nova Village Veterinarian

EXERCISE

 

Regular exercise also helps to maintain muscle mass and help keep joints healthy and flexible. Regular exercises can also help prevent (and treat) some behaviour problems such as destructive chewing and anxiety.

 

An exercise routine combined with proper nutrition will help ensure that your pet maintains a healthy weight.

 

Start slow when beginning an exercise routine. It will take time for your pet’s system to adjust to the new regimen and to be able to sustain long periods of activity.

 

Remember to always consult your veterinarian before beginning any exercise routine with your pet.

 

Before beginning an exercise routine with an overweight or senior pet, we recommend having your pet examined to make sure they are healthy enough to perform exercise related activities.

 

If your pet is overweight our veterinarians can help you design an exercise program and calculate the calories your pet should be consuming in a day. Your veterinarian may recommend a special weight loss diet which is restricted in calories.

 

Ways to exercise your dog:

-Play fetch in the back yard.

-Take your dog on walks in the neighborhood or park.

-For small housedogs, place feeding and resting areas at opposite ends of the house.

-Train active dogs on agility courses.

-Take your dog swimming.

 

Ways to exercise your cat:

-Place feeding and litter box areas as far apart as possible. Having these areas on different levels works well.

-Food can be hidden in different places each day so your cat has to find its meals.

-Some cats can be trained to walk on leashes. If your cat is amenable to this, short walks outside are excellent ways to exercise.

-Interest your cat with interactive toys. Chasing balls or laser pointers will give your cat a full workout.