January is Walk Your Dog Month. Get up off that sofa, get moving, and don’t let those cooler winter temperatures drag you down. Dogs need plenty of exercise throughout the year and the best way to keep them active in winter is to take them for regular walks. Even a short walk around the block on a cold day makes a big difference. So, begin this year with a pledge — better health for you and your dog!
Walk Your Dog Month is a perfect time to blend exercise with bonding time for you and your pup. The Association of Pet Obesity Prevention released a clinical study in 2017, stating that 56% of dogs in the United States are obese. That equates to over 50 million dogs across the country.
A statement declared that “The number of pets with clinical obesity continues to increase. Clinical obesity results in more secondary conditions such as arthritis, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and certain forms of cancer. Pets with obesity also have reduced quality of life and shorter life expectancy.”
Regular walks and exercise can help control your dog’s weight and limit the chances of them becoming obese. However, your pet will not lose weight through exercise alone. You must cut the calories they are eating, too!
January may seem like a cold month to be placing emphasis on dog walking, but that’s why it is the right time to do it. Your dog needs walking all year round and if you can do it in January then you can do it all the time.