Taking your dog for a walk is one of the simplest but most impactful activities you can do with your best friend. It's a great way to provide physical benefits, as well as boost your bond with one another.
But walking is so much more than just going outside. It’s a calculated routine that should be regulated. The length and number of walks for every dog are not the same, as factors such as breed, age, energy levels, and health come into play.
In this guide, we'll discuss how often you should walk your dog. Plus, we'll share the benefits and how each factor is involved.
What Are the Benefits of Walking for Dogs?
Daily walks are simple routines that can improve a dog's well-being and welfare. Here's how:
Improves Physical Health
Regular exercise is always a good thing for dogs, including something as simple as walks. They get the chance to move and burn energy. Walks are also a way to help dogs lose weight.
Plus, it can also be a good preventive measure for obesity-related issues, including diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.
This is especially important for puppies growing, as they can benefit from low-impact activities like walking. Aside from that, walking also improves bowel movement.
Promotes Mental Activity
Dogs experience the world through their noses, and every walk offers a flood of scents, sounds, and sights. This kind of mental workout keeps their brain engaged and prevents boredom. Letting your dog stop to sniff or look at the things that interest it will be as important as physical health.
Walking also helps promote your dog’s emotional health. Exercise releases endorphins, which reduce stress and promote happiness. Dogs who walk regularly are less anxious and more content.
Helps With Socialization
Walks will naturally introduce your dog to new people and pets. This can be anything from people in the neighborhood to dogs walking around the park. These experiences help your dog become more confident, making them calmer in public and less reactive to unfamiliar spaces.
Professional dog walkers are a great option for both walking and helping your dogs socialize.
Boosts Behavior
Daily walks enable dogs to release all that energy. This helps them stay calmer at home, reducing the chance of developing destructive behaviors. It also serves as an outlet for energy, improving your dog's sleep.
Vet Tips: How Often Should You Walk Your Dog?
Every dog is unique, with different breeds, sizes, and activity levels. If you have a good idea of each, you can more accurately estimate how much walking your dog needs.
Energy Levels
First, let’s look at your dog’s energy levels. You can get a good grasp on how long your dog can walk by knowing its breed. Here’s a simple visualization:
Energy Level | Breeds | Recommend Amount |
|---|---|---|
High | Australian Shepherds Jack Russell Terriers | 1.5 to 2 hours |
Medium | Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Boston Terriers | 1 to 1.5 hours |
Low | Newfoundlands Basset Hounds | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
High-energy breeds require a lot more walking compared to other dog breeds. We recommend splitting the routine into two to three walks so as not to overexert your dog. You can do one long jog in the morning and another one during the late afternoon.
Medium-energy dogs need at least an hour of exercise a day. You can do a full hour of walking with your dog as long as the weather is fine and not too hot.
Low-energy breeds will only need about 30 minutes of light walking per day. The early mornings and late afternoons are always the best times of the day to do so.
Adding mental enrichment techniques, such as training drills and fetch, can also help burn more energy while promoting entertainment.
Age
Another factor we should consider is your dog’s age. A good rule of thumb is to do 5 minutes of walking per month of age. So, if your dog is 6 months old, a 30-minute walk works nicely. Splitting this duration into two walks is the best option for growing and developing puppies.
During the walk, allow your puppy to explore and sniff anything it gets curious about. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise at this stage.
Healthy adult dogs have the highest stamina and can handle longer, more active walks. You can just base this on your dog’s breed and energy levels.
Older dogs will be considerably slower, and their energy levels will be more limited. This means that shorter walks will be optimal. Opt for frequent sessions of about 15 minutes of walking instead of one long stretch.
Weight
Your dog’s weight will also determine how often you should walk your dog. If you know your dog’s body condition score, it’ll be easier. Here’s a quick guide:
BCS | Indicators | Recommended Amount |
|---|---|---|
Underweight (1 to 3) | Ribs, spine, and hip bones are visible | 5 to 15 minutes of gentle walks |
Healthy Weight (4 to 5) | Ribs, spine, and hip bones are felt but not visible; defined waist | 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on energy levels |
Overweight (6 to 9) | Ribs, spine, and hip bones are not easy to feel; waist appears distended | 10 to 15 minutes of slow walking, increase by 5 minutes each week |
Other Factors
There are other factors you should take into account when walking your dog. These include:
Weather. Avoid walking your dog in weather that is too hot or too cold. If ever, shorten walks in these situations.
Living Conditions. Where they live impacts how much they exercise. Dogs in apartments may need more walks, while dogs living in homes with open yards will need fewer daily walks.
Surface. Soft ground is much easier to walk on than rough terrain or hot pavements.
Health Issues. If your dog has arthritis or heart issues, consult with our vets first.
Routine. Having a consistent walking routine is the best option to maintain physical activity, energy levels, and mood.
Should I Feed My Dog Before or After a Walk?
It’s generally safest to feed your dog after a walk, not before. Walking your dog right after they eat, especially a large meal, can increase the risk of problems such as Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus.
We recommend waiting about 45 minutes after a walk before feeding your dog. If your dog has already eaten, wait at least an hour before going on the walk.
“Every walk with your dog is a step further to good health and happiness.”
- Dr. Sarabjit Singh
Final Thoughts
How often you should walk your dog depends on their breed, age, weight, health, and personality. Pay attention to your dog’s needs and signals. If they come home content, then you’re on the right track.
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