Start the year on the right paw: January marks Walk Your Dog Month

In January, dog owners nationwide are gearing up to celebrate their four-legged companions during Walk Your Dog Month and enjoy the great outdoors.

This annual event encourages dog owners to take their pooch for a daily walk, promoting the health and happiness of both pets and owners. From nurturing the physical well-being of both dogs and their owners to creating a stronger bond through shared outdoor adventures, Walk Your Dog Month ensures that the month-long celebration becomes a habit for the rest of the year. So, fasten those leashes, tie those shoelaces, and make walking the dog a priority this month!

“A brisk walk in the fresh air can be a great way to clear your head and your dog will love you for it” says James Whitten, Marketing Manager at petGuard.

To celebrate Walk Your Dog Month, leading pet insurer petGuard has put together a dog-walking guide, full of helpful tips, walks recommendations and much more.

How often should dogs be walked?

Walks are essential for dogs; on average a dog should be walked at least three times every day. However, some dog breeds are less active than others and may not need to be walked quite as much. All dogs need some form of a daily walk in their routine, though, and it needs to be more than just a toilet break. Regular walks give a dog the chance to explore and keep them mentally healthy too. A dog’s mental health is important, and walks keep them stimulated, so they will not then become destructive or anxious when left alone. Of course, much like humans, regular exercise also keeps a dog physically healthy too and helps ward off obesity.

In 2021, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) revealed that over 7% of the UK’s dogs were considered obese. While a few pounds may not too bad for the pooch, pet obesity is a serious problem. Much like in humans, pet obesity can cause arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

How long should dogs be walked for?

In general, most dogs should be able to walk for 20-30 minutes at a time. This however depends on the age and breed of the dog. High-energy dog breeds like Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Huskies, Border Collies, and Terriers may need as much as two hours when they are out for walkies.

Every dog is different, and there is no magic formula for how long a dog needs to spend outside on their walk. Older dogs naturally will not be able to run around for as long as they did when they were pups, and some dogs just will not take being outside for too long. If a dog seems uncomfortable when they are out walking, then it may be time to cut down on their outdoors time.

Can dogs be walked too much?

Much like humans, dogs increase their fitness levels over time. Any sudden changes in how long they spend exercising can leave them over-worked and tired out.

“Walk Your Dog Month is a great way to encourage a habit of daily walks for the rest of your year” adds Whitten.

Read more dog walking tips here.