The rising trend in the unchecked body weight of dogs is quite alarming. Usually, this excessive body weight or obesity results from a continued lack of physical activity by a dog or excessive feeding habits. The ultimate result is the development of strange behavioral patterns and a significant drop in mental awareness.
When a dog goes out for a walk, the level of activity the dog engages in does wonder for the general well-being of a dog. It helps to sharpen the mental assimilation, works on body reflexes, and keeps a dog in perfect shape. Sure enough, most people living in urban areas do not have enough space in their daily routines to take their dogs out for a good walk. This is what has made the dog treadmill gain a little bit of popularity.
Benefits of Dog Treadmills
Dog treadmills do come with some benefits, especially for urban dwellers who have dogs as pets. Dog treadmills are great when you have a dog who loves to engage in outdoor exercises, and even inside the house, they cause a problem. It can provide soothing relief for dogs in this category.
They are also great when your dog is on a weight management plan. Your dog could get rid of excess body fat by stepping on a treadmill. It is a way of getting your dog to engage in some level of aerobic physical activity while indoors. This is backed up by studies that show that dog treadmills are needed even if your dog is outdoors most of the time. Using the dog treadmill two times a day does help in shedding unhealthy body weight. However, it is not a good idea to make your dog exercise using a treadmill if prone to hip injuries, unwell or is too big to step on a treadmill.
Treadmills are good for dogs that have lost the urge to engage in any sort of aerobic exercise. This usually occurs when they are indoors most of the time. It is natural for a dog to want to explore outdoors. The benefits of this outdoor activity have been stated earlier. When your dog is deprived of engaging in boisterous outdoor activities, it results in your dog been easily susceptible to quite a number of health issues. This could be in the form of body tissue and joint injuries.
For dog owners who cannot take their dogs out for lengthy walks because of their health state. For such people, a dog treadmill is a good way of keeping their furry companion in shape.
That said, what your dog stands to gain from engaging in outdoor exercising trumps the treadmill every time. A treadmill for sure keeps a dog in shape, but that is to the detriment of other senses, like the sense of smell and social interaction.
In situations where you really have a very busy schedule, getting a treadmill is your only option. But you must train your dog to make use of a dog treadmill properly. This ensures your dog does not fall victim to fatal hip injuries.
Dog Treadmill Training
Introducing your dog to the use of a dog treadmill can be a tedious task. You must be patient while taking your dog through the treadmill training process. First off, bring the equipment home and let your dog get a feel of it. Then put your dog on the treadmill for as little as 30 seconds to 1 minute for introductory lessons. When your dog gets used to walking on the treadmill, make sure it does not surpass 30 minutes before you stop the process. Two treadmill activities daily are ideal for keeping a dog in good shape.
However, if you find it difficult to persuade your dog to step on a treadmill, engaging the services of a professional dog trainer would be perfect. The important thing to note here is to consult your veterinary doctor before buying a dog treadmill. He would be in a better situation to access your dog’s health before submitting him to the rigors of a dog treadmill.
Alternatives to a Dog treadmill
All said and done; the question is: “Should you get a dog treadmill?” Yes, the treadmill comes with its benefits. But we would not advise using a dog treadmill as the only means of getting your dog some good physical exercise. A good walk is essential for your dog. So, why not find a means of combining the two?
You can make time to take your dog on walks on weekends or during the evenings when you are back from work. If you feel too tired to do such or are not in a good health state, you can hire professional dog walkers. Besides, dog treadmills are quite expensive. So why not go for the cheaper option and take your dog for a walk instead or hire a dog walker to do so. You can even ask your friend or next-door neighbor to help you out.
If your dog still turns the house into a circus, you can then use the treadmill. Be sure to always supervise your dog while it is using the treadmill. You don’t want your favorite furry pet yelping out in pain.
Conclusion
Dog Treadmills offer numerous benefits to your pet. They help in keeping a very rambunctious dog busy while indoors. They also provide a good means of getting your dog to shed excess body weight. Healthy body weight for your dog can be maintained as well.
A dog treadmill is great for dog owners who do not have time to take their dog out for a walk. While a treadmill is a good means of keeping your dog in tip-top shape, it cannot replace the level of physical activity when a dog plays outdoors.
Leave a Reply