How many times do I need to walk my dogs?
How many times do I need to walk my dogs? This is a question many first time owners and potential pet parents struggle with! We are here to help you out with estimating how much physical activity your pooch actually needs to be happy and healthy!
As a general rule, it’s recommended to walk your dog 3 to 4 times per day for about 15-20 minutes. But this can vary according to your dog’s:
- Breed
- Age
- Size
- Health conditions and eating habits
If you live in a smaller apartment, you may need to take your dog out for walks more frequently throughout the day, on the other hand, if you live in a home with a large backyard, your canine would need fewer walks with access to a big backyard!
While for smaller dogs a walk a day would suffice, high-energy dog breeds will require more than one walk per day.
The high-energy breeds include:
- Golden retrievers
- Australian shepherds
- Terriers
- Labrador and Border collies
Low-energy dogs include:
- Mastiffs
- Great Danes
- Bulldogs
- Newfoundlands
- Toy breeds and show dogs
To know what is best for your dog you need to evaluate their breed, age, health conditions and lifestyle to know how much they need to be exercised. Dogs can build up a walking routine of up to 3-4hrs and can join you for runs and hikes with you when properly exercised. Younger and healthier dogs might need double the exercise your senior dog would need even living in the same home!
If you are unsure about it check with your vet on the recommended time you need to be walking your dog as you need to ensure that the exercise doesn’t go over their sleep and food intake - which could lead to health problems for your pet.