No one expects their pet to be a feline Fonda or an Arnold Schnauzernegger. But giving your pet regular exercise is among the most powerful strategies for keeping him trim and healthy.
Exercise keeps the heart and lungs working well.
It strengthens muscles and ligaments so that they are better able to protect the joints. It even makes pets less likely to misbehave, says Geoffrey N. Clark, D.V.M., a veterinarian in Dover, New Hampshire, and editor of Canine Sports Medicine Update. Among dogs, energy dynamos tend to be terriers, herding breeds, and sporting hounds. They typically need an hour or more of vigorous exercise a day to stay happy and healthy. Inc. All rights reserved.