Better Living

Tip 31:  The Right Amount Of Exercise Is Essential

How much exercise does your pet need to lose weight?  This is a number that is going to change for each animal and the current condition of that animal needs to be taken into consideration.

An overweight cat is only going to want to play for a few minutes.  An overweight dog may only be able to go on a short walk before becoming too tired.  Take into consideration how overweight they are when you define the amount of exercise that they need.

Next, determine how you can increase their daily exercise level.  Going for a walk every day is a great treat for a pet dog and gives them the ability to lose weight.  Your cat may be more likely to enjoy this less, though and may instead want to climb more on a jungle gym.

Daily exercise is important.  What's important is to see weight loss.  For this reason, start out slow and monitor weight loss.  As they begin losing weight, keep their levels of exercise increasing as necessary to continuously see weight loss.

Tip 32  Training And Exercise

One of the best ways to help your pet get the exercise that he or she needs is through exercise.  Most pets are able to get this type of exercise by simply learning a few tricks that they can do.

By training your pet to do tricks it means helping them to become fit.  A dog that leans how to fetch, for example, is a dog that is going to get a lot more running and movement to his day when you play with him.  A cat that can climb up their tower to the top for a treat is getting more exercise than one lying in front of the window.

Pets that are trained are often much more active than those that are not, even when the pet's owner is not working with them.  They are trained to be active and therefore continuously are moving and doing something.  They are less likely to live a stationary lifestyle.

The old saying that you can not teach an old dog a new trick is not accurate.  Pets of all ages can be trained to do various activities.  You can do this with your pet and see his exercise level increase.

Tip 33  Stay Motivated For Your Pet's Fitness

A key way to keep your pet exercising and remaining fit is to allow yourself the ability to concentrate on their needs.  If you do not encourage them to play, they will not do so.  If you do not take them to the park, they can not go there.  With that said, pet owners can appreciate the benefits of improving their pet's activities by staying motivated themselves on the needs of that pet.

A good way to keep yourself on track for your pet's exercise requirements is to simply schedule time in your day to make it happen.  Pets need to be an essential part of your day.  You can schedule their time for exercise just as you would pick the kids up from school.

Making it a part of your schedule helps you to stick with it and it will help your pet to stay on schedule too.  Most importantly, it helps you to remember to exercise your pet.  Without that reminder, most people will put it off and forget, leaving their pet without this important benefit in their life.

Tip 34:  Make Them Part Of Your Lifestyle

It is often said that people that have no lifestyle of exercise and fitness are going to have children that are the same way.  The same is true for pets.  If you lead an inactive lifestyle, your pet is likely to do the same thing. Even if you are not overweight, though, your pet is more likely to become so because of their genetic makeup.

Therefore, incorporate your pet's exercise into your lifestyle.  Find ways to help them to be an active part of the family.  Taking them to the park with the kids, taking them with you on your daily run or even just going outside for a game of catch is good for the pet.  It is also good for you!



By including your pet in your lifestyle choices, both of your can improve in terms of health and you will both ultimately find yourself fit and healthy.  Take the time to improve this level of health for yourself and for your pet! 

Tip 35: Playing For Exercise

Believe it or not, pets can get most of their exercise from playing.  Play is the pet's way of activity both in physical stimulation as well as in mental stimulation.  It is a core part of their life at any stage.

A pet that is playful is a sign of a healthy pet.  If your pet is not, stimulating them may be important.  This often means interaction with their owner so that they can get the craved attention that they need.  It also means providing them with toys that will stimulate their mind and their body.  You can find these available anywhere pet products are sold.

What's important for you to do to see weight loss is to encourage them to play.  If they do not seem interested, continuously try.  When they do participate, reward them with petting, encouraging words and affection.  Do not use food as a reward, of course!

Pets that play are pets that are going to be happy to participate in various activities and therefore to be more active.  Many times, pets can do this simply by getting the attention that they need from their owners!

Tip 36:  Get A Routine

Pets that fall into a routine are going to have the most success in terms of exercise.  Regular play, exercise or other physical movement will ultimately deliver the best results for the pet.  You can do this by creating a routine for them.

Just as you would use a physical trainer to help you to lose weight or get into shape, the same can be done for your pet.  To make this successful, you need to do it often.  For most dogs, the routine will revolve around play that is about 30 minutes long at least four times per week.

For pets that are less active, less time at first will be required but they should build up to this level.  Daily exercise should be something that you strive towards for your pet. 

For cats, less time is necessary.  Try to get them to exercise for fifteen minutes every day for the best results in weight loss. 

Make it a routine so that it can be measured each week.  This way, you know what amount of exercise they are getting on a regular basis.

Tip 37:  Dog Activities For Exercise

There are many activities that dogs can do to increase their level of play that you can encourage them to use.  This starts with providing them with the best possible activities for their interests.  Remember, a pet that is interested in the activity is more likely to be active.

Here are some options:

·    Fetch is a great game for any dog.  Teach them!
·    Long walks around the park or the neighborhood.
·    Go swimming with the dog if they like water.
·    Job with them.
·    Push the stroller with the pet.
·    Play chase.
·    Allow them to run around the yard with your encouragement.

These are just a few examples you can use.  Be sure to find an activity that gets their heart pumping and you are sure to have a fun and active game for them.

Tip 38:  Activities For Cats (or other small animals)

Cats are more difficult to play with because many of them are so standoffish that they are uninterested in what you want them to do.

The best way to get the cat interested is to simply make it something irresistibly fun to do.  That's no easy task but some of these activities can work for your pet.

·    Feather toys are great for cats because they love to chase them.
·    Rope tied toys that offer a handle for you to tempt them with.
·    Some cats will chase after small toys tossed towards them.
·    Laser based toys work great!
·    Catnip based toys can encourage all cats to move

Use any method that will encourage your cat to run and play.  Getting his heart going with a simple game of chasing the object is going to help him to get exercise.

Tip 39:  Consider The Camp

Some pets will benefit from exercise camps that are available around the country.  These camps are designed for overweight pets that need physical activity.  These pets often require a good amount of attention that many pet owners do not have to provide.  This is not a problem when the pet owner is able to use a camp's services to help.

A camp is a costly solution but can be a life saving tool for many people.  The ultimate goal is to provide your pet with the attention needed to fully respond to their health situation.  These camps are often available for dogs and cats in larger cities.  Pet camps are often designed by specialist including veterinarians.



Camps can be considered for any pet, but should be something that you can participate in.  The pet needs to know that you are going to praise them for a job well done just as the camp specialists will.  It is important that you seek out a quality provider that is going to provide the very best situation for your pet.

Tip 40 and 41: Reps And Stamina

As pets are able to increase their level of fitness, you need to up the ante, so to speak.  Pets need to be physically active but just as humans; their bodies will become used to the conditioning that you are giving to it.  In order to continuously lose weight, the exercise needs to change in two ways.

It needs to happen for a longer period of time in most cases.  This means instead of a ten minute walk, you go to a fifteen minute walk and then twenty minutes when that becomes easy for the pet.  Increasing the stamina of your pet will keep his weight coming off.

The second method to doing this is to increase the amount of work done in that time frame.  For example, if he is walking for 10 minutes, perhaps he can walk for five minutes and jog with you for five minutes.  This pushes the heart farther, giving a better level of fitness.

Both types of exercise should be incorporated into the pet's activities as they progress and slowly.  Work with your pet's abilities!