Good nutrition and exercise are not just essential for humans to maintain a healthy body, your dog needs these things to stay at peak physical health as well.
So, if you and your pet need the same things to maintain good health and wellbeing, why not team up and keep fit together?
Read on to find five ways you and your four-legged friend can help one another to stay healthy as a team.
Take exercise together
Large dogs need plenty of exercise so they can be a great help in keeping you active too.
If you have a smaller pooch, think about getting a dog stroller and taking them with you for a run. They will enjoy the fresh air and you will work a little harder having to push them along.
It does not just have to be walking or jogging either, for example throwing a ball or jumping over objects will help to vary your workout.
Eat a balanced diet
Just like people, your dog’s diet should contain vitamins and minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
If you are concerned you might not be getting the right balance of foods, why not give you and your pup a nutritional review and make sure you are both consuming the right types of food in the right amounts every day.
Watch the cholesterol
You might not be aware that cholesterol problems can affect dogs too; just like with humans if high cholesterol goes unchecked, it can cause major health issues.
If you are concerned about your own cholesterol levels, try eating more monounsaturated fats and avoid saturated fats. You can also add more omega-3 fatty acids to your diet along with plenty of soluble fiber and cut back on alcohol.
Click here to learn more about what to do with high cholesterol in dogs – you might be surprised at how similar you two really are.
Do not sit for long periods
While the occasional lazy day is okay, if you are often home together with you dog and find you both spend a lot of time sitting or lying down, make sure you regularly get up and moving.
Your dog will make these breaks from sitting more interesting as you can choose from a variety of options to spend time with them, such as walking or running around the yard, dancing around the living room, grabbing your pup’s favorite toy and making a game of it, or any other activities you usually enjoy together.
Strength training
Playing tug of war with a rope or a sturdy dog toy is a great way for you both to improve your strength together and all that pulling, tugging and twisting will work lots of different muscle groups too.
An agility course involving jumping, climbing, turning and crawling is a great opportunity for your dog to get an all over workout and to return the favor take your pet to a doggy yoga class and give yourself some full-body conditioning too.
So, if you want to improve you and your dog’s fitness, try teaming up with your pooch, getting active and improving your health and wellbeing together.