A vet has explained exactly how long dogs need to be walked each day. Dr Nicole Rous took to TikTok to share with pet owners the averasge amoung of time they should be excersising their pooch.
In a video, she said: “The rules are different for puppies and for adult dogs. There is a great rule of thumb for puppies – it’s five minutes per month of life, and you can do this twice a day.
“So, if you have a four-month-old puppy, four times five is 20, looking at exercising for 20 minutes twice a day. That includes walks and things like that, but it also includes exercise in the back yard and games you’re playing.
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“Adult dogs average 30 to 60 minutes a day, but this one’s variable. So, if you’ve got a really active breed like a Border Collie, you’re probably looking at one to two hours.
“If you’ve got a more sedentary breed, you might be looking at two 20 minute walks a day rather than the full hour. Now, for senior dogs, we’re at a similar level – 30 to 60 minutes, but the type of exercise is really important to look after their joints.
“We want to look at low impact exercise, so walks, look at the surface you’re walking on and then consider things like hydrotherapy – that’s a really good exercise for the oldies to include in their regime.”
Dr Nicole said you want to ensure dogs still use their brains as much as possible as they age, The Mirror reports. One person commented on her video: “My dogs are walked twice a day for a minimum of 30 minutes. Leny is almost 15 and Stanley is nearly 10.”
A second said: “We love long walks.” One TikTok user said: “I walk my two doggos every day. My lab stops to sniff every few steps.”
When it comes to dog walking, most experts say a typical dog should be walked for 20 to 30 minutes per walk, and the majority need at least one walk a day.
Most ideally need two, but this all depends on their breed, age and overall health. It’s important to monitor your dog’s energy levels and tweak the length of walks accordingly.
This is because some breeds may need a lot more or less exercise than others. Always ask a professional for advice if you are concerned about your pet.