Top Benefits of Daily Dog Walks (for You & Your Pet!)

You've heard that bringing your dog on walks is important. But did you know that there are so many health benefits of walking dogs that are positive both for you and your furry friend? Whether you’re a professional dog walker or simply like to keep your pet healthy with adequate exercise, the importance of dog walking has emotional, mental, and physical health benefits for all.

Let's take a look at some of the top benefits of bringing your dog on routine walks!

8 benefits of walking dogs

It does primarily come down to physical health benefits, but there are mental ones to consider as well.

1. An easy way to get daily exercise

One of the biggest benefits of walking your dog by far is getting much-needed exercise. There’s nothing quite like getting outside and getting moving with your pets. Dogs of all ages need regular daily activity to stay healthy, as do humans. Consider starting with short walks and keep track of how you and your pup feel after each walk. Every walk can be a new adventure and a new opportunity to get moving to new places. Push yourself and your best friend for longer walk times and keep finding new places to explore.

2. It can help with weight management

Pets and people alike can struggle with maintaining a healthy weight, but going on regular walks can help. When walking at a steady pace, research suggests that the average dog can burn .8 calories per pound, per mile. Of course, this can vary greatly due to just how quickly you're walking, if you're on an incline, your dog's size and overall physical fitness, etc. The amount of calories humans can burn on a walk with their dog also varies quite a bit. However, using a watch that tracks calories burned in a day or plugging your information into a calorie counter can help give you a more personalized idea.

Either way, it's almost universally agreed that going on regular walks and getting daily movement in is important for weight management. Talk with your pet's veterinarian about what kinds of walks may best benefit your pet, and don't be afraid to ask for more tips on how to keep them at a healthy weight.

3. You can strengthen your bond

The human-pet bond is such a unique relationship. When you take the time to get out and walk your best mate, it’s a time to bond and experience a new environment. Naturally, this may be a chance to explore, adventure, and experience something new and fun for you and your furry friend.

Similar to strengthening your overall bond, taking the time to experience the outside world with your pups without distractions can create an emotional connection with your best friend. The dedicated time and shared activity builds trust within your relationship and provides one-on-one playtime.

4. No screen time

This one's more for you than it is your pup, but both of you could use a break from being seated most of the day. With so much day-to-day activity in front of a screen, a mental break is needed and gives you and your dog a chance to stretch your legs. The lack of screens also gives you the chance to focus on what is important during the walk.

We'd recommend against ditching your phone entirely for your walk though. There’s value in being connected, especially when it comes to safety. However, only use your phone on walks unless absolutely necessary, like to take a cute selfie with your pup!

5. Better mental health

Being on a walk engages your pet's mind, helping to prevent everyday boredom and ease stress. And, as it turns out, the benefits are similar for humans. Research shows that pet owners are often more relaxed when spending time with their pets and also benefit from reduced anxiety outdoors.

Additionally, one of the best health benefits of walking dogs is the versatile amount of mental stimulation for dogs. New experiences that take place beyond your front door or your backyard provide mental stimulation for your pup. For example, a walk to a nearby park is filled with new scenery, smells, and obstacles to explore.

6. Walks provide training opportunities

Walks with your dog allow you to focus 100% on their well-being and safety, including how responsive your dog is to your commands to "stop" and "sit" while waiting for things like bikes to pass or traffic lights to change. Because of this, the dog walk can be used to focus on new training opportunities. In a distracted world, focus is something we can all improve on.

If you have a new puppy, one of the main health benefits of walking dogs for you might be the opportunity to work on basic leash and behavioral skills. If you find your dog is being particularly leash-reactive, this extra time may give you the opportunity to retrain. Walks can also give you an opportunity to focus on hand signals and commands with lights.

7. Improve cardiovascular health

Daily walks have been shown to help boost cardiovascular health for both dogs and humans. This kind of regular physical activity helps strengthen the heart, improve circulation, and lower blood pressure — for mammals in general. For humans specifically, walking has been shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease, manage cholesterol levels, and support healthy weight loss.

Dogs likewise can experience their own improved heart function and endurance thanks to daily walks, which helps lower their own risks of cardiovascular illnesses. And of course since stress levels can also be reduced with daily walks, the overall risk of cardiovascular issues can be lowered further. Hooray for heart health!

8. Keep tabs on your pup's progress

Creating new goals and becoming your best selves can be an exciting new adventure for you and your pet. By jumpstarting this health journey with your furry friends, you can start with small goals, tracking and measuring your success with your daily walks. After all, you have a workout partner that will always be with you every step of the way.

One of the most important health benefits of walking dogs is the opportunity to help keep tabs on your pup’s health. By walking your furry friends each day, you may spot a new behavior or something abnormal. Consider keeping a journal to track any unusual findings so you can follow up with your veterinarian with any concerns.

Bring the entire family on dog walks

From a hiking adventure to an afternoon family stroll, the health benefits of walking dogs can help provide emotional, physical, and mental stimulation for the entire family. It can help provide connection, bonding, and versatile training environments that may provide rich fulfillment for your furry friends.

Check out more ways to exercise with your dog.