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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Why It's Important to Walk Your Dog

Your dog doesn't just want to go for a walk. He needs it!

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), approximately 52.7 percent of dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese. Unfortunately, as Americans become more overweight, so do their pets.

Why It's Important to Walk Your Dog

Because our pets are gaining weight right along with us, they are more at risk for diabetes, heart disease and other weight-related health issues. It's important to walk your dog regularly -- at least once a day -- to manage her weight and prevent conditions caused by obesity.

Other reasons to walk your dog include:

  • Improved obedience skills
  • An opportunity to bond with your dog
  • Better social skills
  • Fewer separation issues
Aim to walk your dog for about 20 minutes to keep him healthy and reap the benefits listed above. If your pooch is more active than the average dog, you may need to take her on longer, more strenuous walks. 

To learn more about why it's important to walk your dog, give Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital a call at 908-464-0023. Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube!

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