If you hate going and paying for the gym, how about walking your dog? (Image: Shutterstock)

Whoever said that a dog is a man’s best friend was right. They’re capable of learning some complex tricks and they naturally have a great level of emotional intelligence that other animals don’t have.

If you are a dog owner, you know how loyal, loving and comforting they are.

And to keep them happy, every owner needs to create a healthy environment which includes taking them for walks.

Not only will your dog be happy and use up that stored up energy that makes it hyper, but scientifically, there are many proven health benefits for you too.

Here are some reasons why you need to stop delegating those duties and take your little pup for a walk instead:

It’s essential for physical fitness

Going for a stroll with your pup is a smart way of killing two birds with one stone especially when you have a busy schedule. It allows you time to exercise since walking keeps your body active and for your dog, this is extremely important too because it significantly reduces the risk of obesity.

Pet obesity is actually a real issue and that’s why going for walks with your dog is a way of keeping their weight in check.

Start scheduling regular walks with your dog to keep you and your dog physically fit.

It maintains cardiovascular health

Cardiovascular diseases are some of the deadliest illnesses to suffer from. As a pet owner, you should know that your dog isn’t immune to some of these complications including congenital heart disease.

One of the best ways to keep these diseases away is by going for walks with your dog. Even moderate but regular exercise will greatly decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular problems even for you.

 Walking your dog helps you bond (Image: Shutterstock)
It boosts your mental health

A common myth that still exists to date is that animals aren’t capable of processing emotions. If this were true, you wouldn’t be able to sense the difference in emotional state between a dog that’s been abused or abandoned and a dog that has been nurtured in a healthy environment.

The fact is that dogs experience happiness, excitement and a variety of other good emotions. This also means that they’re capable of feeling negative emotions like anxiety and depression.

If you notice your dog is starting to be more withdrawn and no longer enjoys activities that he or she previously would, they could be getting depressed.

And when your dog is in a poor health state, you will also be affected too leading to stress and anxiety for fear it may die or get sick.

To avoid all these problems for the two of you, get it on a leash and start walking.

It’s bonding time for you and your bestie

A pet is more than just an animal you’re looking after. In fact, they’re more like family members. Some people even go to the extent of building luxurious pet homes for their dogs which shows how special they are.

It’s wonderful to pamper you pooch by providing a comfortable place for them to stay and good food but you shouldn’t forget the importance of spending time with them.

By going for dog walks you’re able to strengthen your bond especially if you’ve just adopted your pup and you’re trying to help them feel safe with you.