Adding your dog to your daily workout is a great way for both of you to burn calories and stay fit and healthy.
Studies show people who have dogs and exercise with them get more weekly exercise than people without dogs.
But before you start running with your dog, be sure to take a few precautions to protect him.
- Most experts say puppies shouldn’t jog long distances until they are 10 to 14 months old to ensure their bones are mature.
- If you adopt an older dog, check with your vet to make sure their muscles and cardiovascular systems can endure long distances.
- Start with short distances and work up to longer runs. Just as you wouldn’t run a marathon your first time out, let your dog build his endurance.
- Protect your dog’s paws from hot pavement. Run earlier or later in the day and avoid the peak heat.
- Bring water and a collapsible bowl to keep your dog hydrated.Use this handy chart from Lovejoys Petfood to figure out how many calories you can burn running with your dog.
