We are always getting warned by medical experts that our health will deteriorate if we sit around the house all day eating potato chips and watching TV. The same is true for our pets, getting enough exercise is crucial to their health, both physical and mental. You may find that making sure your pet gets enough exercise improves your own health.

Pet owners do not always understand that their pet's bodies are not made to lie around and not move. In order for a pets blood to circulate properly they have to get up and move around. Pets that lay in one position for two long are at risk for pneumonia, blood clots, and bedsores that can become infected.

There is no difference between pet lying around all day and a person sitting in the same chair all day. Both will have serious health issues over time.

Exercise Lowers Your Pets Weight

Exercise is almost as important as nutrition when you are trying to manage your pet's weight. When your pet exercises it is burning calories. You will find that when your pet's weight is lower, your pet is more willing to exercise. The best thing that happens when your pet looses weight is that there is less strain being placed on your pet's heart, a heart that strengthens with exercise. A balanced diet and plenty of exercise can add years to your pet's life that you can enjoy together.

The heart is a muscle like any other in the body but the major difference is that this particular muscle is vitally important. If it stops working your pet is in serious trouble.

Save Your Pets Mental State

Did you know that your pet can become depressed? Pet's that don't get out and get exercise a few times a day are more prone to becoming depressed then a pet that is active and playing. Older pets seem to be more prone to depression then younger pets. Experts agree that the best way to restore your pet's mental health is to spend some time with your pet. We recommend that your carve a half to one hour a day to spend with your pet and get it up and exercising to get it interested in life.

When doing this you will see your own health and mood improve as well because (believe it or not) pets and humans are not that different.

Exercise and the Older Pet

We know that it can be difficult to know how much your older pet should get. Older pets are just like older people. Their bodies aren't what they use to be and they no longer want to run around and play. Just because your pet is older doesn't mean that you shouldn't make sure it gets plenty of exercise. You just need to make sure that the exercise program you create is modified to compensate for your elderly pets aches and pains.

However being old and out of shape doesn't mean that you can get back into shape. All it means is that you might have your pet start out a little slower and that it might take a little longer to get to the place you want it to go but it doesn't mean that it can't be done. Far from it.