Pet parents love to spend time with their animal companions when the sun is up and the day looks best for jogging or walking. But now that summer is fast approaching, observing caution is important, as hot temperatures can put your pet at risk of heat stroke. The best way to exercise during warmer days is by swimming. It can help dogs cool off and even stay active while having fun.
As we continue, we’ll highlight the importance of swimming for canines and why it deserves a spot in their regular activities.
Why Swimming Is Important for Dogs
Everybody knows canines love to swim, but it does not just end there. Although a low-impact exercise, swimming comes with several health benefits for your animal companion and can significantly enhance their quality of life.
Here are five ways swimming can enhance your dog’s general well-being.
1. Improves Heart Health
Swimming is a perfect cardio for pets. Just like in humans, it can increase lung proficiency, reduce blood pressure, lower the heart rate, and improve heart strength. Swimming has been shown to produce notable health benefits as it trains the body to efficiently utilize oxygen. This helps keep their cardiovascular system in shape.
Keeping their oral health in check is also a way to preserve their heart health. Routinely taking them to vet dentists can prevent periodontal disease, a common culprit for systemic conditions that can impact the heart, kidney, and liver. You may visit their dentistry page to see their full list of services.
2. 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 canines. It increases metabolism, reinforces the lungs and heart, reduces inflammations, and improves blood 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, particularly for pets 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 click here to learn more about vet oncologists.
3. Provides Stimulation
If your pet does nothing but lay on the couch and sleep all day, they might be feeling bored. Like people, pets need stimulation from socialization or activities to release their energy healthily. For numerous dogs, swimming can be a perfect and relaxing solution.
4. Healthy for Overweight Canines
If you’re looking for a less risky and taxing exercise to slowly reduce your obese dog’s weight, swimming is an excellent choice that doesn’t exhaust their joints and muscles. 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 necessary to maintain their preventative treatments. Vaccinations, booster shots, and parasite prevention can protect them from dangerous pet diseases they might encounter outdoors and in social settings. If you’re looking for centers to have your pet vaccinated, you may search for “cat vaccinations near me” to see accurate results.
5. Relieves Pain
Hydrotherapy is an excellent therapeutic exercise for senior pets and those recuperating from injuries and joint pains. It can relax their muscles, increase blood flow, and reinforce 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 entire body when going against the water’s resistance. Moreover, it builds endurance and muscle strength and promotes respiratory and cardiovascular health. Swimming is a relaxing and enjoyable exercise your canine will surely like to have in their routine activities.