Pet parents love to spend time with their animal companions when the sun is up, and the day looks ideal for jogging or walking. But now that summer is fast approaching, observing caution is necessary, as hot temperatures can put your dog at risk of heat stroke. The best way to exercise during hotter days is by swimming. It can help dogs cool off and even stay active while having a good time.
As we continue, we’ll emphasize the importance of swimming for canines and why it deserves a spot in their routine activities.
Why Swimming Is Important for Dogs
Everyone knows dogs love to swim, but it does not end there. Although a low-impact exercise, swimming comes with many health benefits for your animal companion and can considerably improve their quality of life.
Here are five ways swimming can enhance your canine’s general well-being.
1. Provides Stimulation
If your pet does nothing but lay on the couch and sleep all day, they might be feeling bored. Like people, canines require stimulation from socialization or activities to release their energy healthily. For many dogs, swimming can be a great and relaxing solution.
2. Healthy for Overweight Dogs
If you’re looking for a less risky and demanding exercise to gradually lower your obese dog’s weight, swimming is a great choice that doesn’t overwork their joints and muscles. It’s a healthy activity for burning calories and increasing their metabolism with less risk of injuries while being supported by the water’s buoyancy.
Aside from being consistent with your overweight dog’s exercise and strict diet, it’s also vital to maintain their preventative treatments. Vaccines, booster shots, and parasite prevention can protect them from life-threatening pet conditions they might encounter outdoors and in social settings.
3. Promotes Overall Health
Did you know that one minute of swimming equals four minutes of running? This makes it one of the most complete kinds of exercise for dogs. It increases metabolism, strengthens the heart and lungs, decreases inflammations, and improves circulation to help keep their coat and skin healthy. When they move their limbs against the resistance of the water, their major muscle group functions, which enhances their tone and overall strength.
Although swimming is a great exercise with less risk of injuries, caution should still be observed, particularly for dogs with severe conditions like cancer. If you plan to introduce swimming to their routine activities, consult a veterinary oncologist from facilities like Cumberland Animal Hospital about the frequency and limitation of exercise safe for their condition.
4. Improves Heart Health
Swimming is a perfect cardio for pets. Just like in humans, it can increase lung proficiency, reduce blood pressure, lower the heart rate, and improve heart strength. Swimming has been proven to produce considerable health benefits as it trains the body to effectively use oxygen. This helps keep their cardiovascular system in shape.
Keeping their dental health in check is also a way to maintain their heart health. Routinely taking them to vet dentists can prevent periodontal disease, a common culprit for systemic conditions affecting the heart, kidney, and liver. If you’re looking for animal dentists to have your dog’s teeth regularly checked, you may search for “veterinary dentist near me” for specific results.
5. Relieves Pain
Hydrotherapy is an excellent therapeutic exercise for senior pets and those recuperating from joint pains and injuries. It can relax their muscles, boost blood circulation, and strengthen the joints. These are all important for your pet’s recovery process.
The Bottomline
If you’re looking for good all-around activities for your dog, swimming is an option that will allow them to move their whole body when going against the water’s resistance. Furthermore, it builds muscle strength and endurance and promotes respiratory and cardiovascular health. Swimming is a relaxing and fun exercise your pet will surely like to have in their routine activities.
