Heart health is something we hear a lot about in human and dog news- for a good reason! The heart is a key component for keeping us alive and well. Not only do our pups have your heart, but they also increase heart health for their human counterparts as well!
There are many types of heart conditions that can affect our pups. Some are genetic while others are caused by the wear and tear of life. Being proactive is key to preventing issues from arising. There are a couple of ways that help keep their hearts beating for years to come! If your dog is having any signs of heart problems, please seek veterinary care.
Signs to watch out for are
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing
- Increased fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle weakness (especially in the hind end)
- Bloating
If your dog is clear of symptoms then there are some proactive habits that can prevent problems. Most of the habits are lifestyle and diet related. Today we’ll be highlighting some great activities that help make exercise easier for everyone involved.
Regarding lifestyle, a daily cardio activity is ideal. Even if your schedule is full, carving out 30 minutes to enjoy the outdoors is beneficial to your pup’s heart. If your schedule allows for it, the longer the better. Going for a walk and letting them use their nose is also a great way to tire their brain and body out at the same time. Cardio for dogs can be fun and healthy for both you and your pup! Not only will they encourage you to join them in their exercise, but it is also a perfect opportunity to bond together. There are many canine cardio workouts that double as a dog sport! Some high intensity cardio sports include agility, dock diving, flyball, Updog (frisbee competitions) and bikejoring. All of these sports are for all types of dogs, no matter their breed(or mix). There may be some circumstances that you’ll want to consider the physical health of your dog before participating, bringing those concerns to your vet is imperative before starting sports with your dog.
At Baron’s K-9 Market we have quite a few different toys that will help make exercise all the rage! Some of our most durable toys come in handy for tough playing. West Paw and Tall Tails make brightly colored rubber balls in multiple sizes, so every dog is able to enjoy a good game of fetch and you aren’t searching for lost balls. Swimming is a great cardio exercise that engages almost all of the muscles in the body, the heart especially! Older dogs particularly enjoy swimming because it’s easier on their joints than other activities. Even if it’s just walking in water, there are great benefits for dogs who suffer from joint pain. Keeping them moving and their muscles strong will keep them young! West Paw’s entire line of “Play” and “Chew” are great options for sea and land cardio adventures. The Kong Safestick and Reflex also make great fetch toys and can hold up to the toughest of chompers!
There are a couple of different equipment pieces that aid in safe exercise. Ruffwear FrontRange Harnesses along with Lupine Collars that both have reflective components for walking, hiking, and running safety. The SpotLit Collar Light is extremely helpful for late night walks as it can be easily clipped onto any harness or collar. The SpotLit lights up and helps alert people that there are pups on the road! The FrontRange Harness works well for high intensity activities, because they’re made to get dirty! They’re washable and are made with high quality materials to withstand even the toughest trails. From a mobility perspective, they allow for uninterrupted movement of the shoulder which is very important so that your dog doesn’t develop any mobility issues while running!
We hope you have fun enjoying cardio with your four legged friends! Come to Baron’s to get your pup ready for their new adventures and let us know the fun times you’ve had with your dog.
FRI: 10 am – 6 pm 
