Exercise and Dogs: Better Together

New Survey Shows Benefits of Working Out with Dogs

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Sep 30, 2019, 08:00 ET

PHOENIX, Sept. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Pet parents who work out with their dog are getting 25% more exercise than those who don't, according to a new national online survey* commissioned by PetSmart, North America's largest pet specialty retailer. The survey collected data from 1,520 U.S. pet parents surveyed between April 8-11, 2019.

The exercise is paying off for pets, too, according to Jennifer Freeman, DVM, PetSmart's resident veterinarian and pet care expert. "Health benefits of exercise range widely for pets but can include helping to maintain a healthy weight which in turn can help with arthritic joint disease and improve cardiovascular health," said Dr. Freeman. "In general, exercise can reduce the likelihood of developing other health problems including behavioral issues."

The survey also found that 65% of pet parents prefer to work out with their dog than with another person. It's the pet parent's responsibility to make sure their pet is safe and comfortable during exercise, said Freeman. Before starting any exercise regimen, it's important to consider the breed, age and size of your dog.

Certain dog breeds with short noses, called brachycephalic breeds, can have difficulty breathing. That means pet parents should try lighter exercise and focus on keeping their pets cool and hydrated. The Top Paw® Travel Water Bottle is perfect for any type of dog.

Young dogs have lots of energy and will be thoroughly entertained by products like the Chuckie!® Ball Launcher Dog Toy. These toys are especially helpful for young dogs that need short spurts of exercise, as sustained exercise like running can harm developing bones.

Pet parents should ease overweight dogs into an active routine so their bodies can safely adjust and benefit from the exercise. Going on walks is a great way to start. The Top Paw® LED + Reflective Dog Leash makes any walk safer for pets and pet parents.

For more information about exercise products and tips at PetSmart, visit petsmart.com.

*Survey Methodology – The PetSmart®-commissioned survey was conducted by Golin among 1,520 pet parents in the U.S. (ages 18+). Survey responses were nationally representative to the U.S. population for age, gender, region and ethnicity. The maximum margin of sampling error was +/-3 percentage points with a 95 percent level of confidence.

About PetSmart®
PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets, and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart's passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they, together, can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities. PetSmart employs approximately 55,000 associates and operates more than 1,600 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart Pets Hotel® dog and cat boarding facilities. The retailer provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp™ and pet adoption. PetSmart, PetSmart Charities® and PetSmart Charities® of Canada work with more than 3,500 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home. Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated more than 8 million adoptions, more than any other brick-and-mortar organization. In May 2017, PetSmart acquired Chewy.com, a leading online retailer of pet food and products in the U.S., which operates as an independent subsidiary.

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SOURCE PetSmart