The people who use services like the mobile dog gym that we operate in Las Vegas are typically concerned about the health and well being of their dogs. They have come to understand from research or veterinary advice that the typical dog that gets a walk every day is almost never getting enough, and what they need is a more intense form of exercise and a healthy diet in order to remain well. It is impossible to know exactly how much we are shortening our dog’s life spans by not providing them with the adequate amounts of exercise and nutrition, since there are no “wild” dogs of many breeds to compare, but we can assume that because of the preventable ailments that come with a lack of proper nutrition and exercise there is a least a percentage of the average life span that is cut short. When you ask a qualified veterinarian how much exercise a dog should get in order to remain healthy, the amounts will probably shock you. While each breed and stage of life is going to bring it’s own elements to the discussion, a typical dog in the early to middle stages of their lives will need upwards of two hours of walking with you each day, and a 30 minute session of high intensity running at least every other day. Running is almost impossible for many dog owners to accomplish, as our own pace is significantly slower than our dog’s. We can take them to the dog park and throw a ball for them to fetch, but dog parks have their own set of issues and are not for everyone. You may be able to hike with your dog on the weekends, but in order to maintain good health their bodies need to run each and every day. This is why we created a mobile dog gym in Las Vegas that will travel to our customer’s locations, so that it is as easy as possible to provide to your dog this missing element that they so crucially need. We exercise them past the point they would receive while walking with you, doing so at their own fast pace and on an incline. This forces the dog to use their rear legs to push off, which uses muscles that are not utilized when walking. Some dogs go their entire lives without adequately using their rear leg muscles, which is the reason there are so many rear-end problems later in our dog’s lives.
Nutrition is the second part of the equation with regards to dog health and well being. Many people do not realize that kibble was only invented during the depression to give owners a cheap alternative to meat when feeding their dogs. Kibble is notoriously low in nutrients, and even the high quality kibble is far from what dogs would eat in the wild. You must understand that their bodies have evolved eating meat that is gained through hunting other animals, and just because we want things to be easy doesn’t mean they are getting what they need. Many have moved over to a process of feeding their dogs a raw diet or making their dog food as a result of this understanding, but owners must be careful to make sure that they are providing balance for all of the needs of each stage of your dog’s life. Use Google to do as much research as possible on B.A.R.F (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) if you are interested in simulating the type of diet your dog would receive in the wild. Using high-end dietary supplements to fill in the gaps that you may not be able to provide is also necessary most of the time.
Dog exercise services like ours provide one of the critical elements for your dog to live the longest and healthiest life possible, but you are the biggest part of the process. You must remember that you are your dog’s only source of nutrition and exercise, and any mistakes that you make as a result of attempting to save money on food or not having the time to invest in their care will only shorten their lives. If you care about your dog’s health, get involved. Research and ask questions from people who are involved in the pet community. Ask your veterinarian their advice and for suggestions. Most of all, take the time to give them what they need.
