For our canine companions, playtime isn’t just something they enjoy—it’s also a crucial part of their wellbeing.
If you’ve ever wondered why your pup gets so excited about playtime, here are five reasons to be just as enthusiastic as they are…
Staying Strong and Healthy
Play activities provide physical exercise for your furkid.
For example, running to chase a frisbee or tennis ball provides a cardiovascular workout. And, a good game of tug-of-war can build strength.
All of this is important to developing stamina, strength, coordination, and balance, and for keeping muscles and joints healthy.
Regular exercise also helps prevent obesity, a common health issue in dogs that could otherwise lead to arthritis, diabetes, heart and lung problems, and other medical conditions.
Plus, a nice workout helps active pups expend their excess energy, so they don’t go stir crazy in the home when you’re trying to settle down for the night.
Different individual dogs need different levels of exercise, so ask your vet which activities are best for your pup.
Keeping Your Dog’s Brain Active
In addition to working their body, play can also keep your pup’s mind sharp.
Good examples of play that stimulate a pup’s problem-solving skills include puzzle feeders or hide and seek (yes, dogs can learn this game!).
Even just going for a walk around the neighborhood provides mental stimulation via all the sights, sounds, and smells.
Having an Emotionally Well-Adjusted Dog
In addition to social interactions and a natural mood boost, playtime also prevents boredom.
This is good because too much monotony can lead to unruliness or destructive behaviors like chewing up household objects or getting into the garbage can.
Variety and entertainment make life more interesting, so most dogs love regular playtime, especially with new toys and activities introduced from time to time.
Encouragement of Natural Behaviors
Playtime allows a dog to be a dog.
Even though domestic dogs live comfortably with human companions nowadays, your furkid has retained some natural instincts and abilities—and there are fun activities that encourage a pup to express these natural behaviors.
For example, nose work training or snuffle mat toys require a pup to use their nose to find treats or track scents. Agility courses mimic things a dog would encounter in the wild (like sprinting between trees or leaping over rocks and logs). Even swimming can be instinctual to certain dog breeds who feel at home in the water.
Quality Time Between You and Your Dog
Maybe this is the best part of playtime—for you and your dog alike.
The human animal bond is known to provide physical and mental health benefits to pet parents. And, it’s pretty safe to say, your furkid values their friendship with you, too.
Every time you do an enjoyable playtime activity together, you help to strengthen that very special friendship—and really, that’s what having a dog is all about.
Further Reading: The Human Animal Bond Research Institute: https://habri.org/ Teach your dog to play hide and seek: https://www.k9magazine.com/hide-seek-dogs/
