It’s Walk Your Dog Week! October’s (somewhat) cool temperatures and clear days offer a great chance for getting out and about with your canine companion! While taking Fido for a walk isn’t exactly rocket science, there are some things to keep in mind. A Tampa, FL veterinarian discusses taking your pooch for a stroll below.

Benefits

Walks are of course a must for sanitary reasons. However, they’re also important to Fido’s mental and physical health. Those daily strolls really are an ideal doggy workout. Plus, your pup will get mental stimulation from sniffing all those leaves and plants. Your canine pal gets a lot of information about the world from that cute little nose of his. That provides lots of mental stimulation, which is very important.

Fido’s Walking Schedule

Dogs really do best when they are on a fairly structured routine. Try to walk your pooch at the same times every day.

Ground

You’ll also need to watch the terrain. Keep Fido off scorching-hot pavement, and steer around things like broken glass. You can use paw balm or wax to protect your furry friend’s paw pads.

Safety

Taking a few simple precautions can greatly decrease the possibility of mishaps. Make sure that you have a sturdy leash. You should be wearing footwear with good tread. Don’t walk too close to ponds or lakes that could be housing gators or other poisonous critters. It’s also best to keep night walks short and sweet.

Timing

Some of our canine buddies need more walks than others do. Puppies need to go out quite a lot, especially during house training. They can only hold it about an hour for each month of age. Once Fido is an adult, he’ll probably need to go out a few times a day. Senior dogs need more frequent walks, though these may be much shorter and slower than a younger dog’s strolls would be. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Heat

Florida summers can be pretty rough on Man’s Best Friend. When it’s really hot, try to walk Fido in the mornings and evenings.

Benefits

Those daily walks aren’t just beneficial for Fido: they’re good for you, too! You may find that you really enjoy having some quiet time with your furry buddy after work!

Do you have questions about your pet’s health or care? Contact us, your local Tampa, FL animal clinic, today!