We all get told the benefits of exercise and strength training for ourselves, but how many of us see the same importance for our pets?
If strong is the new way of health for you and your family, then have you considered the same for your pets? Dr. Megan Kelly of Holistic Vet shares with us why it is so important to keep your pets happy, healthy and strong. So lets see what the benefits are:
1) Helps to keep the weight off
Besides the obvious fact that your pet is burning calories by doing exercise, building muscle helps to speed up the metabolism. The reason for this is that more calories are needed to maintain muscle than fat. By building lean muscle mass you could increase you pets’ metabolism by up to 15%.
2) Boosts energy levels and improves your pets mood
Exercise increases the release of endorphins which are the bodies feel good hormones. Endorphins are also linked to improved sleep and rest.
3 ) Decreases the pain associated with arthritis or joint problems
Muscles have a few functions and one important function is to help stabilise the joints and body parts. This can be for individual joints as well as multiple joint such as the spine. When muscles are stronger, joints are more stable and when joints are more stable the body will experience less pain. Endorphins the bodies natural pain reliever released during exercise will also assist in improving pain and discomfort.
4 ) Decreases the risk of injury
Stronger muscles will improve stability and balance decreasing the chance of your pet slipping or falling which could result in an injury. Core strength is particularly important to stabilise and keep the spine in alignment. Without adequate core strength your pet will have poor movement resulting in them compensating which will lead to muscle imbalances and overuse injuries.
5 ) Help to maintain mobility in ageing pets
As pets and people get older they start to loose muscle mass. The more muscle they loose the slower their metabolism , the weaker they are and the more prone to injuries. Pet owners need to do therapeutic exercises with their pets before their mobility starts to become impaired.
6 ) Improve athletic performance
Dogs that have all over body strength are able to move over different terrains with ease. They have superior balance and body awareness allowing them to move with ease, speed and stability without injurying themselves.
7 ) Increase your pets life span
Older pets are often put to sleep way before their time because they are unable to ambulate and get themselves around. Taking your pet for a walk is not enough. You need to do specific therapeutic exercises which target the core and slow twitch muscles. These exercises will take you as quick as 7 minutes three times a week.
Start doing strengthening exercises now with your pet today. Its never too early but its always too late!
For online strengthening exercises and workshops click here.
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