Exercise

Another important factor for health is the choice of appropriate exercise. Certain animal species are born to do certain things. A bird is supposed to fly -- some of them for thousands of miles in a very short period of time. A cheetah is supposed to run and a horse wants to travel far with its band. The wolf, our dogs’ closest relative, usually travels many miles during the day to find food. We can’t take the water away from a fish, so why take the room to run away from animals by tying them up or locking them in tiny crates? If our animal companions don’t get proper exercise and the right housing, it is enormously stressful for them and often results in major physical and emotional health and behaviour problems.

Determination of appropriate exercise is dependent both on the individual and on the environment. So, for example, we wouldn’t go jogging with a three-month-old puppy, because its bones, joints and entire body are just not developed enough. Similarly, we would not go for a long walk with our dog if it is blistering hot. We can dress appropriately for the weather most of the time, but our dogs have coats and would never exercise that strenuously in such heat on their own. We have to make sure to give our animal companions as much appropriate exercise as possible, depending on age, species, breed and, of course, weather conditions and their individual personal needs.