We all know that playing with pets is fun for pet and owner alike. All animals, including pets, need physical exercise for good health. Wild animals put a lot of time into hunting or gathering food, making homes, protecting young, etc, which all requires a lot of fitness-inducing physical work. Pets tend to pretty much have all those needs met or eliminated, thus eliminating most of their natural exercise routine. That is where the pet owner comes in.

Whether you own a dog, a cat, a bird, or another animal, the responsibility is no different. Ask your vet to help you design playtime activities that will best suit your pet. In general those will be activities that engage the hunting tactics of your pet, and will likely require a good amount of time. Experts recommend that any toys used during this structured playtime be kept stored away the rest of the day. Exercise should elevate heart rate and breathing, as well as tone muscles and improve both agility and balance.

Since most pets do little actual gathering and hunting for food they can easily overeat and under exercise. So limit the frequency with which you use treats as part of your playtime and substitute by giving your animal extra pets, rubs and cuddles. Most pets require at least two interactive play periods each day, your pet may require more. Check with your vet if you have any questions.