Don’t Underestimate The Importance of Interactive Play
A game of tug might seem like a silly game, but for your dog they’re working on impulse control the whole time — and that can be mentally exhausting. Don’t under estimate the importance of adding in some play, there’s growing evidence that interactive play might be the best indicator of a dog’s quality of life:
Just like us, dogs can get bored, frustrated, anxious and depressed due to lack of mental stimulation. This article looks at why mental enrichment is so important to your dog, and how you can introduce more variety and fun into his life.
If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the importance of social contacts and variety in our lives. Staying home and following the same routine day in and day out, with few social interactions, has left many people feeling bored, frustrated, anxious and depressed. Our dogs can feel the same way when they lack social activities, new experiences, an occupation, and the opportunity to engage in normal canine behaviors. In fact, many canine behavior problems are caused by boredom or a lack of mental stimulation. We now know that mental enrichment is just as important for dogs as physical exercise. Research has shown that increased mental activity results in improved mental health and cognitive function in dogs. It builds confidence, releases stress, and strengthens your mutual bond. In short, your dog will live a happier life. Let’s look at some easy ways to incorporate mental enrichment into your dog’s life.
Benefits of Physical Activity in Dogs
Exercise needs vary from dog to dog and are dependent on many different factors, so it’s important to talk with your veterinarian about the best exercise routine for yours.
From hiking to swimming, there are countless ways to spend quality time with your pet while giving them the physical activity they need. This is important because while some people think that letting their dog out alone in a fenced-in yard counts as “exercise,” this isn’t the case. Dogs need stimulation; so playing with another dog or person in a yard definitely does the trick, but being alone outside isn’t adequate for most dogs.
On the other hand, some pet owners worry that they’re doing too much. If your dog is panting heavily, slowing down, or stopping to lie down, it’s probably time to take a break or call it a day. Other signs are even more concerning; limping, for example, can indicate injury to bones or soft tissue while stumbling, falling, or listlessness can indicate a heatstroke. All of these are serious concerns, and you should contact your vet immediately. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]
