Active Dog Month (2024): When Is It and How Is It Celebrated?
By Ed Malaker
Updated on
Active Dog Month is celebrated in April each year, and it hopes to encourage pet owners to get their dogs more involved with activities to help them stay healthy and happy. Keep reading as we discuss when this holiday started, who started it, and the different ways that you and your pet can join the celebration.
What Is Active Dog Month?
Active Dog Month is a month-long celebration that promotes the benefits of an active lifestyle for dogs. Dogs require exercise to stay in good health, just like humans, and by ensuring that they are active, you are helping to prevent obesity, which can lead to diabetes, heart disease, and many other health problems that can shorten the lifespan of your pet. Regular exercise will also help reduce anxiety in dogs, which can help improve their behavior.
Who Started Active Dog Month?
Om Shanti Pups gets the credit for creating Active Dog Month,2 though it is not clear when exactly it began. Natasha Thompson, the creator and author of the blog, started the holiday after noticing that her pet was suffering from cabin fever after a long winter in Alaska.
The 4 Ways to Celebrate Active Dog Month
1. Go for Walks
Walks will help your dog get plenty of exercise, and they’re an easy way to get moving during Active Dog Month. Try to go for at least one long walk per day, and if possible, take your dog to the park, where they can get extra activity.
2. Play Fetch
Most dogs love to play fetch, and it can be a great way to celebrate Active Dog Month because it helps your dog get moving and provides mental stimulation. You only need to play 10–15 minutes of fetch daily to burn calories and help your pets stay healthy.
3. Go for a Run
Running is a good activity during Active Dog Month that helps burn many calories and keeps your dog active. Start slow, and gradually build up your dog’s endurance, and your pet will have a great time.
4. Do Extra Playtime
Another way to celebrate Active Dog Month is to set aside time each week to play and bond with your dog. If they are getting plenty of exercise from walking and running, you can choose to relax and watch a movie together to show your pet how much you appreciate them.
Other Tips for Celebrating Active Dog Month
- Feed your dog a balanced diet with the right amount of protein, fat, and carbohydrates to keep them healthy for their age, breed, and activity level. Follow the portioning instructions on the package carefully to help prevent your dog from gaining weight.
- Provide plenty of mental stimulation with puzzles, games, and other toys that require problem-solving skills to help keep your pet stimulated to prevent them from becoming bored, which can lead to inappropriate behavior.
- Keep up with regular vet visits so you can catch any problems early. It’s also important to ensure that your dog is up to date on their vaccinations.
- Make it a habit to set aside time each day to exercise and mentally stimulate your pet to help keep them at their ideal weight, which will also make them happier and help form a strong bond with them.
Summary
Active Dog Month is a great time to focus on your dog’s health and happiness. The creator of Om Shanti Pups started the month-long celebration after a long Alaskan winter. It occurs in April, which is a perfect time to become active again after the cold winter months, and your dog will enjoy the time outside. Whether going for walks, running, or playing fetch, you are helping them reduce anxiety and maintain an ideal body weight, which will help extend their lifespan.
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Featured Image Credit: Ksenia Raykova, Shutterstock
