Vet Dr Kirsten Ronngren, DVM MRCVS with her dogs (Image: Vet Dr Kirsten Ronngren/ManyPets)
Whether you don’t have enough time in the day, or you struggle to get out and about, a companion can bring so much joy into your life.
While all owners need to be responsible to cater to the needs of their , there are certain that have “lower needs for exercise during the day”.
Vet Dr Kirsten Ronngren, working with pet insurance, said: “Exercise is an essential aspect to consider when it comes to the well being of our pets.
“However, not all pets have the same requirements for activity to keep them healthy.”
Dr Ronngren added: “Generally speaking, there are breeds that tend to have higher or lower needs for exercise during the day to promote physical health and mental stimulation.”
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Chihuahuas may only need 30 minutes of exercise every day (Image: Getty)
Smaller breeds, such as chihuahuas, terriers, or dachshunds typically require the least amount of daily exercise.
They are, however, most suited “for 30 minutes of walking each day”. Dr Ronngren added: “This could be two short steady 15 minute strolls down the lane.”
While these small dog breeds could be happy with 30-minute walks, Dr Ronngren has witnessed terriers “hike 10 miles with their owners”.
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There’s always “a degree of variation” of what each dog needs, regardless of their breed.
“Taking breed into account when determining what type of dog would suit the amount of activity you can provide is important, but we also have to remember it’s very dog dependent too,” Dr Ronngren emphasised.
“I encourage clients to remember that even if their mobility is limited, there are lots of ways they can still provide activity for their dog.”
Dachshunds may only need two 15-minute leisurely walks (Image: Getty)
Dr Ronngren said: “Short walks, playing fetch, scent work games, and agility training classes are all excellent opportunities for owners to facilitate this.”
The pet expert also said: “Again, it’s important to remember that this 30 minutes is just a starting point.
“Picking the right amount and type of activity should be based on your dog’s age, breed, general health status, any diseases that are present, what the owner is capable of following through with, and the dog’s individual personality type.”