Louisville Pet Medicine
In our Louisville pet medicine paper there was an article about running with your pet dog. Here are some excerpts. Spring brings with it an urge to get out and enjoy the warmth and sunshine. What better companion for a run in the spring air than the family dog? Most dogs enjoy the exercise and the companionship and almost any breed of dog can be a suitable running partner. However, before you grab your running shoes and his leash, it's important to be sure you're prepared. Begin each outing by walking first to warm her up. And remember to cool down with a walk at the end of each run. Remember that dogs are eager to please and may follow out of loyalty and affection - even when hurting. It's up to you to pay attention to signals that you are reaching your pet's limit. If he appears to be struggling, slow down and walk for a while. If you are running on pavement, watch for pad wear. If your pet has been cooped up inside all winter, his pads will be soft and need time to toughen up. Some other things to remember to keep you and your pet safe during your runs:
When you walk or run with your dog, you should be facing oncoming traffic. This puts the dog, if he is heeling correctly, on your left - away from the traffic.
Carry plenty of water and offer your dog some every 20 minutes.
On warm days, watch for signs of overheating, including heavy panting or salivating. Dogs don't tolerate the heat as well as humans because they don't cool by sweating. If you see signs of overheating or your dog is panting heavily, stop immediately and cool him down slowly with cool water.
