Spring Into Action With Fit And Healthy Pets – As the days grow longer and the chill of winter fades, March marks the perfect time to boost the health and fitness of our beloved pets. Whether you share your home with a dog, cat, rabbit, or even a hamster, here are some strategies to ensure all your furry, feathered, or scaled friends thrive in the coming season.
For Dog Lovers
It’s pretty easy for dog owners as the spring weather is ideal for extending your dog’s walk times or adding some variety to their exercise routine. Build up slowly to ensure your dog is fit enough for more extended walks.
You can also include a little bit of fun fitness training during the walk. Here are a few suggestions:
K9 Parkour: Local parks, woods and even urban areas can transform into an obstacle course for dogs to navigate. This not only improves physical fitness but also mental agility. A harness is really required for this to ensure you can keep the dog safe. Remember to start small.
Swimming: If you’re near a safe body of water, swimming can be an excellent low-impact exercise. It’s particularly beneficial for dogs with joint issues. If there is nowhere safe to swim, consider taking your dog to the local hydrotherapy pool so they are all geared up for trips to the sea and the lakes as spring moves in.
Hide and Seek: “Find a hidden toy” is an excellent brain game, but it’s also an easy way to increase exercise times when the search time is extended. If out with others, hide and seek is all about finding you and other humans that your dog sees as family. Kids love this game with the family dog. Put on a long line if you are worried about not having enough control.
Remember, always keep your dog hydrated and take a snack to feed your dog at the end of the session, as it might have got hungry.
Cat Care
Cats might not seem like workout enthusiasts, but they benefit greatly from physical activity. Outdoor cats will hopefully be slowly increasing their outside exercise as the weather improves. But fun exercise is always a good idea, particularly for feline couch potatoes.
Try some interactive toys that mimic prey to stimulate their natural hunting instincts. Chasing something furry on the end of a rope or wand is excellent exercise. Start slow and not too twisty to avoid injury, and, of course, let the cat win reasonably frequently but not all the time.
Cat trees or shelves can provide climbing opportunities, promoting muscle strength and flexibility. Start low and easy and build up the difficulty, just like a human climbing wall.
If your indoor cat hasn’t got an outdoor enclosure, this might be the time to make one. Free roaming exercise is essential for a healthy cat.
Small Pets – Rabbits, Guinea Pigs And Hamsters
These creatures might live in smaller spaces, but they, too, need regular exercise. Why not try free roaming time? Allow your rabbit or guinea pig some supervised time outside of their cage in a safe, pet-proofed area. This can be indoors or in a secure outdoor pen. Include some toys and tunnels that encourage movement and exploration.
Hiding small pieces of food around the pets’ cages and enclosures will encourage movement through natural foraging.
General Tips For All Pets
Health Check: Before ramping up any exercise, think about what you should expect from your pet and/or consult your vet to ensure your pet is healthy enough for the increased activity.
Gradual Increase: Build up activity levels gradually to prevent injury and to keep the pet wanting more.
Variation: Change things around with this longer and/or more enriched session to keep you and your pet interested and increase its enjoyment.
We hope you enjoyed reading “Spring Into Action With Fit And Healthy Pets“. Click here for more of our pet articles.
Author: Karen Boyce for Love Wrexham Magazine
Karen Boyce is the founder of Beastly Thoughts Professional Dog Services (BTPDS), established in 2007. As the largest independent dog training facility in Wales, BTPDS specialises in puppy training and managing reactive dogs, while also offering a wide range of obedience classes, lectures, webinars, and online training hubs and communities. In 2019, Karen was honoured as the Animal Star Awards Dog Trainer/Behaviourist of the Year. In 2025, BTPDS surpassed the milestone of training 2,000 puppies and was named the Overall Winner in the Best of North Wales Business Awards, in addition to being recognised as the Best Pet Services Business in North Wales. Contact Details: - Phone: 07970 488 395 - Email: info@beastlythoughts.co.uk - Website: www.beastlythoughts.co.uk
