Pet parents love to spend time with their animal companions when the sun is up and the day looks perfect for walking or jogging. But now that summer is fast approaching, observing caution is important, as hot temperatures can put your dog at risk of heat stroke. The best way to exercise during hotter days is by swimming. It can help dogs cool down and even stay active while having fun.
As we proceed, we’ll emphasize the importance of swimming for dogs and why it deserves a spot in their routine activities.
Why Swimming Is Important for Dogs
Everyone knows dogs love to swim, but it doesn’t just end there. Although a low-impact exercise, swimming comes with many health benefits for your animal companion and can significantly improve their quality of life.
Here are five ways swimming can improve your dog’s general well-being.
1. Promotes Overall Health
Did you know that one minute of swimming equals four minutes of running? This makes it one of the most complete forms of exercise for dogs. It increases metabolism, strengthens the lungs and heart, decreases inflammations, and improves circulation to help keep their coat and skin healthy. When they move their limbs against the resistance of the water, their major muscle group functions, which improves their tone and overall strength.
Although swimming is a great exercise with less risk of injuries, caution should still be observed, especially for dogs with severe conditions like cancer. If you plan to introduce swimming to their routine activities, consult your vet oncologist about the frequency and limitation of exercise safe for their condition. You may visit this page to learn more about their services.
2. Healthy for Overweight Dogs
If you’re looking for a less risky and taxing exercise to slowly reduce your obese dog’s weight, swimming is a great option that doesn’t overwork their muscles and joints. It’s a healthy activity for burning calories and increasing their metabolism with less risk of injuries while being supported by the water’s buoyancy.
Aside from being consistent with your overweight dog’s exercise and strict diet, it’s also essential to maintain their preventative treatments in a pet vaccinations clinic. Booster shots, immunizations, and parasite prevention can protect them from life-threatening pet diseases they might encounter outdoors and in social settings.
3. Improves Heart Health
Swimming is a perfect cardio for dogs. Just like in humans, it can increase lung proficiency, reduce blood pressure, lower the heart rate, and improve heart strength. Swimming has been proven to produce significant health benefits as it trains the body to effectively use oxygen. This helps keep their cardiovascular system in shape.
Keeping their dental health in check is also a way to maintain their heart health. Regularly taking them to a pet dentist can prevent periodontal disease, a common culprit for systemic conditions that can affect the heart, kidney, and liver.
4. Provides Stimulation
If your pet does nothing but lay on the couch and sleep all day, they might be feeling bored. Like humans, dogs need stimulation from activities or socialization to release their energy healthily. For many dogs, swimming can be a perfect and relaxing solution.
5. Relieves Pain
Hydrotherapy is an excellent therapeutic exercise for senior dogs and those recovering from injuries and joint pains. It can relax their muscles, increase blood flow, and strengthen the joints. These are all essential for your pet’s recovery process.
The Bottomline
If you’re looking for a good all-around activity for your dog, swimming is an option that will allow them to move their whole body when going against the water’s resistance. Moreover, it builds muscle strength and endurance and promotes respiratory and cardiovascular health. Swimming is a relaxing and fun exercise your dog will surely like to have in their routine activities.
