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Are Dog Owners More Active Than Other People? What Studies Affirm

Rachel Giordano

By Rachel Giordano

french bulldog walking with owner outdoor

Let’s face it, being a dog owner means exercising your dog in some way. Most dogs need mental and physical exercise, and you must be able to provide that if you take on having a pet as a responsibility. Walking provides excellent exercise for both you and your dog, and dog owners are 14 times 1 more likely to walk recreationally. With that said, we think it’s safe to say that dog owners are more active than other people.

 The intent of this article is to explore how having a dog benefits you and your dog, both physically and mentally. It is not intended to make the non-dog owner feel as though they are not active simply because they are not a dog owner. Join us in discovering the health benefits of having a dog and the rewards of owning one.

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Are Dog Owners More Active Than Other People?

The simple answer is yes. According to a recent study2, dog owners are four times more likely to meet the recommended daily physical activity guidelines than other people. Simply put, owning a dog means going on walks, playing fetch, or even going swimming if your dog is a water lover, which in turn, means more exercise for you.

This isn’t to say that non-dog owners never get exercise. It just means that you are more likely to give in to going for a walk when your dog is begging you to. As a non-dog owner, it’s easy to skip that walk or run when you don’t feel like it, but a dog doesn’t understand (or care) that you don’t feel up to any activity.

Dog walker
Image Credit: hedgehog94, Shutterstock

What Percentage of Dog Owners Walk Their Dogs?

Let us get into the numbers. Roughly 30%–70% of people walk their dogs, and roughly 40% do not. With today’s stresses and busy schedules, it may be hard to find the time to walk your dog, but if you have a fenced yard or a dog that will not wander off, you can always play a game of fetch or tug-of-war to give your dog some form of exercise daily.

The Importance of Walking Your Dog

 All dogs need exercise, with some requiring more than others. Obesity in dogs can cause all kinds of health problems, which could mean heartbreak and expensive vet bills for you. Luckily, there are several ways to keep this from happening.

Keeping your dog active is detrimental to its overall health. The main thing to know here is to keep your dog moving. Even if you’re not up for a walk, you can create an indoor environment to keep your dog active, such as playing tuggy or throwing a ball or toy for your dog to retrieve.

If you simply do not have enough time to walk your dog daily, you can always hire a dog walker to do it for you, as well.

walking dog
Image Credit: pasja1000, Pixabay

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Conclusion

 Owning a dog has its rewards, especially for your health. Studies show that dog owners are more active simply because dogs require exercise to be healthy. If you’re looking for motivation to get in shape, let your dog be that motivation. If you’re not a dog owner, adopting or rescuing one can be beneficial for both companionship and health.

 

Featured Image Credit: JACLOU-DL, Pixabay

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