Healthy Heart, Happy Mind: Why Dog Walking Rocks!

October 14, 2024

Ever wondered why walking your dog feels so good? Well, aside from the furry cuddles and unconditional love, it turns out dog walking is a fantastic way to boost heart health and mental wellbeing for both you and your dog!

Keep reading as our team at Rouken Glen Vets are sharing the why’s and how’s of dog walking your way to healthy hearts and happy minds.

The benefits of dog walking

Autumn is a great time to increase your dog walking efforts in East Renfrewshire and further afield now that it’s not too hot. Why would you not with the below benefits for you and your pup?

Heart health benefits:

Cardiovascular Workout: A great form of cardiovascular exercise, dog walking gets the heart pumping, improves blood circulation, and helps lower blood pressure.
Weight Management: Doing regular walks burns calories and helps to maintain a healthy weight, reducing the risk of heart disease.
Stress Reduction: The physical activity involved in dog walking releases endorphins in the brain. These natural mood boosters promote feelings of happiness and wellbeing, reducing levels of stress and anxiety, which is good for the heart and mind.

Many of our team at Rouken Glen Vets are dog owners who love a good hearty walk in and around Giffnock. Why not pop in and share some fun dog walking routes with each other?

Mental health benefits:

Social Connection: Dog walking often involves interacting with other pet owners and their dogs. This can provide a sense of social connection and combat feelings of loneliness – plus your dog will probably love saying hello too!
Nature Therapy: Spending time outdoors in nature has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health. It can reduce stress and improve mood.
Purpose and Routine: Having a dog and walking them can provide a sense of purpose and routine, which can be beneficial for mental wellbeing. Dogs can thrive on routine too so it’s a win-win!

7 tips for a fun and healthy dog walk

Unlike their wandering feline counterparts, dogs rely on their humans to take them for walks each day. Our dog-loving team at Rouken Glen Vets understand that at times, dog walking can feel like a chore or it can get a little boring for the both of you. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

The fantastic thing about dog walking is that you will both be benefiting with every step, and if you learn how to mix things up, you can both get the most out of every walk. Here’s how:

Choose Suitable Routes: Consider your dog’s fitness level and any health limitations when selecting walking routes in East Renfrewshire or further afield. Regularly mix up your routes to keep it fresh.
Vary Your Pace: Alternate between brisk walks and slower-paced strolls for heart-health.
Make it Fun: Incorporate games like fetch or hide-and-seek with a ball to keep your dog mentally stimulated and physically active.
Add Mobility Movements: Weave your dog around trees and posts, walk them up and down curbs slowly, and practice sit-to-stands for a mobility workout. Step ups on benches and tree stumps could work for you too!
Train on The Go: Refresh skills and learn new ones with fun command/trick training on the go.
Take Healthy Treats: Take some cut up carrot pieces for healthy rewards, perhaps for you both? Remember to take water (and a dog bowl) too.
Socialise Your Dog: Encourage your dog to interact with other dogs and people during your walks. Do check with owners first and avoid dogs wearing high-vis “I need space” type alerts.

So, grab your dog’s lead, lace up your walking shoes, and head out for a heart-healthy and mentally stimulating adventure with your furry friend!

If you find your dog struggling in any way, perhaps lagging behind, limping, looking anxious, or being unusually out of breath, give our team at Rouken Glen Vets a call on 0141 620 2580 to book a vet check-up.