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Healthy Habit 2 - Foundations for Wellness Along with nutrition, environment and relationships, a wholesome lifestyle is essential to Wellness. It is one of the foundations for Wellness, for humans and animals. Within a Wholesome Lifestyle for animals, we include: EXERCISE & PLAY Healthy Animals (and Healthy Humans) are naturally active and playful. It's a symptom of Health, a Healthy Habit. In nature much of this activity would be directed at finding food. In the modern world this is taken away when food is placed in a bowl once or twice a day, with no effort required. It is essential, therefore, that we take responsibility for finding ways and time to give our animals opportunities to be active and playful. Some general guidelines: The type of exercise and the amount of exercise needs to be appropriate to the species, breed and age of the animal. Cats and dogs differ in that cats are much less active than dogs, however they do still require opportunities to exercise. Especially those cats that are kept in doors. Working dogs, like Border Collies and German Shepherds require far more exercise than most lap dogs. Working breeds also require exercise that is stimulating and challenging mentally. These dogs thoroughly enjoy and excel at canine sports like agility and flyball. Some breeds are not natural athletes, like Bulldogs, or Pugs, and their squashed faces mean they can have breathing difficulties that can be disastrous if you have unreasonable expectations of them. Some dogs just are not cut out to be jogging partners. Young and middle aged animals require far more exercise than senior animals. Older dogs may benefit more from frequent, short walks, while younger dogs may benefit from a longer walk once or twice a day. Illness, in particular arthritis, can severely interfere with an animals ability to get much needed exercise and play. It is essential that animals that have mobility problems get the treatment required to continue to be as active as they can be. Restrictions on exercise and play are appropriate in certain circumstances. Animals that don't get on well with animals may need to be kept on a lead. Those with severe arthritis may need shorter more frequent walks. However, when you are having to cut back on one form of activity, try and replace it with something that is more appropriate. For example, many arthritic dogs cannot run as far, but they can swim for hours. That not only benefits them psychologically, but actually improves the arthritis. Lifestyle No-No's
Good quality sleep is essential for animals just like humans. Deep, undisturbed sleep gives animals a chance to fully relax, and for the various healing processes in the body to go to work. Excessive disturbance, from children, visitors, the TV and radio can all interfere with animals sleep. The environment can also interfere with the quality of sleep. Temperature, draughts, uncomfortable bedding, etc. RESOURCES South African Dog Agility Association - www.sadaa.co.za
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DR MEGAN KELLY interviewed on SAFM. |
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