During Rainy Weather, Don't Forget to Exercise Your Pet!

With all the rain we've been having in the region due to the recent storms, it's understandable that we would focus on things like maintaining electrical service, guarding against high winds, and other things essential to our safety.

But don't forget about the well-being of your pet -- and that includes keeping them active to help them deal with stress. Animals experience stress during severe weather conditions, too, and exercise is an important part of keeping your pet active, happy and healthy.

Sometimes that suffers during inclement weather, especially if you're a dog owner and you're in the habit of taking your pet on a daily walk. But there are lots of things you can do indoors. Here's a helpful article from Cesar Millan's website (he's the "Dog Whisperer" from TV) that offers a few suggestions:

 

Dog Exercise: How to Exercise Your Dog Indoors

And, in the interest of equal time, here's an article about exercise for your cat:

Exercising with Your Cat: A How-to Guide

These tips will come in handy when winter weather strikes in a few weeks, too.

At Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa, we make sure your four-legged loved ones get plenty of love and exercise every day. Dogs get potty trips and play time throughout the day, and cats get to enjoy our "catio," an indoor wonder of things to do and explore. 

Be sure to keep your pet active this autumn and winter. When you bring them to HPR, we'll do the same!

Exercise Is Vital -- At Home and When Boarding

Just like people, animals benefit from physical activity and stimulation. It's been said that boredom and lack of activity are major reasons that dogs develop behavior problems. Cats need playtime, too.

Walking is the favorite among dog owners, and with good reason. It's an activity that owner and pet do together, and it's good for both. Safety is a factor -- it's best to stay on sidewalks and off of streets whenever possible -- and it's good to allow dogs ample "sniffing time" to satisfy that instinct here and there along the walk.

If you have a fence, invisible fence or have otherwise trained your dog to remain within outdoor boundaries, a game of fetch with a ball, frisbee or other favorite toy results in excellent exercise for your pet. Indoor, they can chase a ball or a balled up sock. For variety, throw the toy up a staircase a few times. Dogs love the change of pace, and it can actually benefit them physically.

Cats enjoy stimulation, too. Lightweight toys that they can chase or bat with their paws can provide hours of enjoyment. Remember, too, that cats like to perch on high places, so try to provide places they can climb.

At Hubbard Pet Resort, we know how important play time is. That's why, in addition to regular potty trips throughout the day, we provide dogs with two daily play sessions. And cats get to spend time in our cat condo, built especially for them, with platforms, tunnels and other features designed to stimulate their curiosity and instinct for mischief and fun.

We say we'll love your pet like our own, and we mean it. You like to see them play, and so do we. So keep your pet active; and, when you need to be away, you can trust that we'll do the same when you trust them to our care.