Like people, pets need a good mix of exercise and rest so that their little bodies can grow healthy, happy and disease-free. When pets don’t get the right mix of exercise, rest, nutrition and play, their bodies breakdown and become less healthy.

It really doesn’t matter what kind of dog you have, it’s important to make sure every dog gets the right amount of exercise. Just like you want your children to get good exercise to keep them healthy and refrain from childhood obesity, you want the same for your pets. Good exercise is even great for adults, too, as it keeps joints from tightening up. Here are some tips, guidelines and advice on how much exercise should you give your pet:

1) Just Get Moving: No matter what kind of exercise routine you design for your dog, just getting up and doing anything is the right one. Whether it’s a nice stroll through the park or a good run around the block, as long as you’re keeping your dog safe it’s the right exercise program. Exercise and the right dietary supplements can together support healthy joint structure.

2) Keep Their Mind Sharp: Exercise is important because it works your dog’s mind and mental state as much as it works your dog’s physical state. Dogs can get dangerous mental problems from being pent up in the house for too long. They can become anxious and even start damaging parts of the house from boredom.

3) Maintain Strong Bones: Exercise helps dogs maintain healthy, strong bones.

4) Good Muscle Tone: When you take your dog and pet on a regular exercise routine they’re able to maintain good muscle tone throughout their body, reducing the problems associated with being over weight.

Think you can handle a dog boot camp? For people looking for an intense workout for themselves AND their dog, check this out:

5) Release Energy: Dogs and pets need to release energy from being in the house each and every day. How would you feel if you stayed in the house all day doing nothing. Guys, don’t ask yourself this question if it’s a Sunday during football season as it will produce the wrong answer.

6) A Little Each Day: You want to avoid getting into a situation where you don’t allow your pet to exercise at all throughout the week and then run them hard for four hours on Saturday thinking it will make up for lost time. This is dangerous and should be avoided at all cost. Instead try extra hard to give your dog a nice little workout each day for 15-20 minutes.

7) Water Is Important: Make sure your dog is properly hydrated before, during and after his or her workout. Bring along a water bottle for you and a little water bottle for your furry little loved one.

Bad Weather: Be careful when the weather isn’t so nice. Dogs and pets can easily injure themselves during the winter months and it’s cold, icy and snow-filled up north. And they can have dehydration and heat exhaustion problems during the super hot months in the summer.

9) Home Features: Also be sure to pay close attention to your home. Your dog may not get enough exercise around the house simply because of the kind of features you have in your house, such as smaller rooms and less space for your pets to run around.

So how much exercise should you give your pet? Try to shoot for a little each day.

What’s your dog’s daily exercise program? Please share with us by leaving a comment.