A daily routine for owners, walking a dog or cat brings countless benefits for the pet and for community interaction. Although it may seem like a simple moment of relaxation, the walk contributes to the quality of life of animals, regardless of breed or size.
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Bruno Alvarenga, a professor of Veterinary Medicine at the Centro Universitário de Brasília, explains the benefits of proposing walks to contribute to the well-being of dogs and cats.
“Walking is essential, especially for dogs. Although they are docile and accustomed to domestic life, they still retain many of their instincts,” warns the specialist. According to him, dogs are like children: they need to play, run, and have moments of leisure.
When they leave the house, besides interacting with their owners, they come into contact with different smells and textures, which helps to reduce anxiety.
“As a result, they return home calmer, destroy fewer objects, and bark less. They also lick their paws less, reducing the risk of developing skin diseases, especially between the toes.”
In maintaining dogs’ physical health, the CEUB professor highlights that regular walks help prevent obesity, joint problems, heart issues, and even metabolic conditions like diabetes. According to him, the practice increases the animals’ life expectancy and reduces the incidence of urinary infections, as many dogs don’t urinate indoors.
“Walking three times a day, for example, significantly reduces these infections. The walk also aids in socialization, helping the animal to interact better with other dogs and people, reducing aggression and fear.”
Watch out for the heat! Alvarenga suggests avoiding walks during the peak of the sun to prevent burns on their paws and even hyperthermia. He recommends that owners choose to walk during cooler times, like early in the morning or in the evening.
“It’s important to remember that for dog breeds that have more difficulty regulating their body temperature, like bulldogs, exposure to heat can be fatal,” warns the professor.
“A leash is an essential item during walks,” reminds the veterinarian. Even if the dog is trained, it can become startled or curious about something and run off, resulting in accidents, fights, or ingestion of dangerous substances.
It’s also important to clean up after the animals during walks and prevent female dogs in heat from coming into contact with other dogs to avoid fights.
Can cats go for walks? The answer is yes! However, the CEUB professor points out that felines exhibit different behavior.
According to Bruno, most cats live well in enclosed environments and don’t need walks like dogs, but if the owner wants to walk the cat on a leash, it can be done, provided the animal is accustomed to it from an early age.
“Cats are very attached to routine and can become stressed by sudden changes. Therefore, for them, the ideal is a controlled and safe environment,” he concludes.
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