Are you exercising your dog enough?

By Ross Pomeroy
Real Clear Wire

Nearly three-quarters of Americans are overweight or obese. Our pet dogs are trimmer, but not by much. Nearly sixty percent of them weigh more than is considered healthy.

A big reason that both Americans and their furry best friends fare poorly on the scales is that they don't exercise as much as they should. While most Americans are at least loosely aware that they don't achieve the recommended amount of physical activity, fewer likely know that pet dogs are getting similarly shorted. 

And this deficiency is not canines' fault, of course. The overwhelming majority of owners dictate their dogs athletic pursuits, be it walking, jogging, swimming, or fetching.

So how much exercise should our pooches be getting? And what are the consequences if they don't get enough? 

There aren't any established guidelines for canine physical activity, but veterinarians generally recommend two 30 to 60 minute walks each day. Dogs' exercise needs vary widely based on breed, however.

"Some energetic breeds such as collies or spaniels need several hours of vigorous exercise each day to satisfy their needs, while other more sedentary breeds or older animals are content with 15 to 20 minutes of walking twice a day," Dr Joe Inglis, in-house vet at Napo Pet Insurance, told Country Living.

Smaller breeds generally need less activity. Chihuahuas, Pekingeses, and Pomerianians, for example, should get at least 30 minutes of physical activity. Medium-sized pups such as terriers, bulldogs, and pugs require about an hour. Mid-size to large breeds like German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, huskies, and Border Collies should ideally receive two or more hours of physical activity per day.

An online survey conducted in 2014 focusing on UK dog owners revealed that just over half of pet dogs do not receive recommended levels of physical activity. Large dogs are most likely to be deficient. No such study has been carried out in the United States.

Labs and Goldens consistently rank in the top three most popular breeds in the U.S. Both require lots of activity and are simultaneously prone to overeating. Americans, who too often neglect their own physical activity and shun healthy eating habits, are thus widely choosing dogs that are susceptible to obesity if their diet and activity needs are similarly neglected. A 2022 study carried out in Spain explored the risk factors for canine obesity. It revealed the most important factor to be whether or not a dog's owner was overweight.

Studies reveal the ramifications of failing to meet dogs' exercise needs. A lack of activity often leads to boredom, which in turn can prompt overeating. Just like with humans, consuming too many calories coupled with expending too little energy results in weight gain.

“The diseases we see in our overweight pets are strikingly similar to those seen in overweight people,” Carmela Stamper, a veterinarian in the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said. Dogs can get type II diabetes, osteoarthritis, cancer, high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease, and respiratory disease.

Obese dogs can expect to live 1.5 years shorter than dogs in ideal body condition. Considering that a dog's average lifespan is between ten and twelve years, that's a huge reduction, akin to shaving roughly nine to ten years off the life of a human being. Smaller breeds generally lose more years of life from being overweight than larger breeds.

Curious if your dog needs to lose some weight? One simple way to find out is the rib test. Run your hands along your pooch's side. Can you easily feel the ribs, or do you have to push hard to feel them? If you must push hard, your pet may need more exercise and less kibble. Are the ribs easy to see and feel? If so, your pet might actually be underweight. In either case, check with your vet to confirm your pet's weight is healthy.

Increasing a dog's exercise is rarely a bad thing, however. And the best part about it is that it's a win-win. Getting outside, exploring nature, hiking, walking, and throwing or kicking balls are all fantastic forms of exercise, boosting both physical and mental health for dog and owner alike.