If you’re on the hunt for activities you can do with your dog, hiking should be a candidate option on your list. If you enjoy the great outdoors, there’s no doubt that your dog will.
Here are the top five reasons you should start hiking with your pup.
Quality Bonding Time
Going hiking with your dog is an opportunity to spend quality time together and bond. Your pup will love exploring the terrain and getting their fur muddy. Moreover, you can bring a tug rope, a ball, or even a frisbee with you to play with your pup along the trail. Regardless of whether or not you bring toys with you, there’s no doubt that your dog will adore hiking with you.
Spend Time In Nature
Spending time in nature has a world of its own benefits to offer you and your pet. But aside from the mental health benefits, spending time in nature is a great way to break away from the chaos of everyday city living.
While you might be able to kick back and play fetch with your dog in your backyard, nothing compares to exploring the great outdoors.
Get Some Exercise
Exercise can reduce stress, improve heart health, boost brain health, enhance weight management, and more. There’s no arguing the health benefits of physical activity, and because hiking requires a lot of walking, it’s a great way to get exercise.
You and your dog will both benefit the same way from physical exercise. But because hiking trails are rugged, it’s wise to get a pair of shoes for dogs. Dog shoes will protect your pup’s paws from nicks and cuts.
Mental Health Benefits
There are several different health benefits associated with hiking. While exploring nature, you and your pup will enjoy mental stimulation in the form of birds chirping and swooping by, trees swaying in the wind, and other peaceful visual and auditory sensations that nature has to offer.
With this, spending time in nature can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, boost mental wellness, and hiking offers physical exercise and improved sleep. Dogs sleep better when they get enough exercise, and so do people. Both people and dogs can benefit from the stress-relieving effects of hiking.
It’s Affordable
Some bonding activities for pets and their parents are unaffordable, like vacationing with your pet, visiting pet spas, and others. But when it comes to hiking, most hiking trails are free or extremely affordable. The only costs will be your pup’s hiking shoes, food, bottled water, and your hiking gear. So, if you have been searching for an activity to do with your pet that won’t cost a small fortune over time, hiking is a great option.
There are tons of worthwhile reasons to start hiking with your dog. Not only will you bond and spend quality time, but you and your pet will also enjoy a variety of invaluable health and wellness benefits that can transform your quality of life.