Play for Pets. While all work and no play can make Jack a dull boy, the results can be even worse for Jack’s pet friends. A sedentary lifestyle has been shown to increase the likelihood of a host of medical issues in humans, and the same holds true for our pets. But, did you know you can actually increase your pet’s lifespan through simple play?
Pets who are inactive often suffer from health complications such as diabetes and obesity. When your pet feels bad, it’s hard to engage him or her in any playful activity but allowing the pet to remain inactive often only exacerbates the problem at hand. Obese and overweight animals are often prescribed not only a change in diet but increased exercise to help rid them of the excess weight. Excessive weight can cause arthritis, difficulty breathing and other problems in pets that may not be life threatening. Removing the extra weight can decrease the amount of energy needed for their bodies to perform basic functions and allow their heart and lungs to work more efficiently which can add additional life.
But, Dr Carol says the benefit of play and regular exercise can increase the lifespan of even healthy dogs. According to Dr Carol, one hour of play can add two additional days of life to your pet! We all want to help our pets live happy, healthy lives and how much more fun can it get than to be able to do so simply by playing fetch?
So, the next time your pet approaches you with a ball or shows an interest in playing, take a few moments to engage with him. After all, exercise is as good for the human body as it is for your pet. Get outside and play with your pets to increase the quality and quantity of life for both of you!
