Inactive pets may be restless and unhappy and are prone to obesity, especially if they also eat an inappropriate diet, so as a responsible pet owner, it’s up to you to get your pet moving.

Pet fitness

Obesity not only reduces a pet’s quality of life but can also lead to serious health problems including diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. Find out if your pet is overweight on the PDSA website and consult with your vet about your pet’s individual exercise needs. We all know regular exercise is good for us, and getting a pet can be just the motivation a family needs to get fit.

1) Walking the dog

The amount of exercise a dog needs varies according to its breed, so do your research and find out how active a dog needs to be before you bring it home. Watch out for signs that your dog is tired and keep it well hydrated. Always make sure your pet is safe by keeping it on the lead when walking near roads or other hazards.

2) Playing with your pet

If your pet doesn’t need walking, you can still boost its levels of activity and your own by bringing out its playful side. Shop-bought toys are specially designed to provide entertainment as well as exercise, but you can improvise. A playful cat will be just as happy with an old piece of ribbon or an empty box as with a tailor-made toy from the pet shop. Remember, it’s not just cats and dogs that like to play. Any pet will need toys or other objects (like perches and plants) to keep it stimulated and active.

3) Other tips:

• Make sure your pet’s cage or tank is big enough – take into account how much your pet will grow as it gets older
• Give smaller pets room to roam in a safe location such as an outdoor pen
• Control your pet’s diet – like a human their eyes may be too big for their stomachs
• Start slow – with an overweight pet, don’t do too much too soon in case your pet injures itself.