Are dog treadmills safe? How much exercise does my dog need?

Question

If we dont take our dog on walk regular basis then is it true he can have liver or kidney or heart failure and can die early beflre his actual life span? Toake him exercise and fit will it be safe to bring and make him run upon treadmill? If yes then how much time can he run on treadmill. Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male | unneutered | 1 year and 8 months old

Anna M., DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello, good questions. Just like in people, dogs are healthier and on average will live longer, healthier lives if they are kept active, lean, and fit. No one can predict if a dog will get liver/kidney/heart disease down the road, but keeping them active is an important component to helping them stay healthy in general. Getting dogs out for walks is also important to their mental stimulation, as it allows them to see, smell, and hear a variety of things. Some people do successfully exercise their dogs on a treadmill, but there are absolutely dangers to this, and doing so requires careful training. A typical dog's first response to being on a treadmill will be to run away (it's scary when the ground moves from under you!), and they can get hurt in the process. I would not recommend attempting to put Bruno on a treadmill unless you are an experienced dog trainer and are comfortable with doing so in a safe and positive way. If Bruno likes chasing balls, throwing a ball for him is a much safer way for many owners to give their dogs some good exercise and mental stimulation. Just as human athletes need to gradually increase their workouts, you may gradually lengthen Bruno's play/running sessions as he appears comfortable. I would start with 15 minutes of running and increase the time according to his enthusiasm and energy level. A very fit dog can run for hours, as long as the weather is cool and there are frequent stops to drink water!

Are dog treadmills safe? How much exercise does my dog need?

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