Walk Your Dog (or Cat) – It’s Healthy for Both of You!

No matter the time of year, walking your pet is a healthy thing to do.

February 22, 2020 is National Walking Your Dog Day. I’d take it a step further (Get it? ‘A step further’??) and include cats in this art of walking. Yes, cats CAN walk on a leash. Or you can push them in a covered baby buggy, like I did when I volunteered at Best Friends Animal Society four years ago.

What are some benefits of walking your pet? Besides the physical exercise you both receive, you and your four-legged friend will likely meet new friends, human and animal, during your walk. Socializing lifts people’s spirits, and often our animals enjoy meeting new pet friends, too.

Getting outdoors helps us breathe fresh air and receive Vitamin D from the sunlight (although the weather might not always be sunny, especially in February). No matter the weather, being outdoors offers many physical and emotional benefits.

Another benefit of walking your pet: the extra time together helps bond a dog or cat with its special person.

A fourth benefit involves stress and anxiety relief. Many of us get cabin fever during the winter and that often climaxes in February. Snow, rain, cloudiness, and cold temperatures keeps many of us and our animals cooped up, causing us and our pets to get antsy. Taking walks helps reduce that stress and anxiety.

February is about love, so show some love to your pet this weekend and enjoy a walk wherever you are. And, don’t just walk on February 22; make the healthy habit of walking several times a week. Just grab the leash and GO!