Paw Pals Pet Sitting

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How Many Calories Does A Dog Burn Walking?

December 7, 2020 by Mary Telesz

besides burning calories walking a dog is needed for their well-beingDog owners know the importance of going for a walk with their dogs. Walking your dog at least twice each day does wonders for your dog’s wellbeing. It supports your dog’s mental health and lets your dog release energy and burn calories. Have you ever wondered how many calories your dog actually burns during your walks? You may be surprised to learn that we really do not know for sure!

Calorie Burning In Dog Walking

We do know that dogs, like all animals, burn calories when they exercise. The faster they move, the more they burn. Exactly how many they burn during a walk is largely speculation.

The 70/30 Percent Rule

Vets and other animal health specialists use the 70/30 percent rule of thumb to estimate the number of calories dogs burn. The 70/30 rule holds that pets that are subjected to regular exercise regimes lose 70% of their calories due to what is referred to as calorie restriction (i.e., eating less) and 30% due to loss from physical exertion.

Calorie Burning in Dogs

Some studies have been done on calorie burning in dogs, but the results are not definitive. One study determined that a dog walking at a pace of 3.7 to 4 miles an hour (which is the rough equivalent of a 15-minute mile—not a pace that most dog owners can maintain) will burn only .8 calories per pound per mile. By extrapolation, you can estimate that a small to average-sized dog will burn about 64 calories in a single 1-hour walk.

Another study subjected a dog to a higher level of physical exertion. In that study, a 22-pound dog was monitored while walking on a treadmill at a robust pace while submerged in 10 inches of water. That study found that the dog would burn about 64 calories in just 30 minutes at a pace of 6.8 miles per hour. For humans, this pace is only slightly slower than that of a marathon runner!

If you are the owner of an overweight dog, do not try to subject your dog to a high level of exertion. Your dog will not be able to endure it (you probably cannot either), and you will likely be doing more harm than good to your overweight dog. Help your dog lose weight by beginning a healthy weight management program that involves a healthy balance of diet and exercise. Work with your vet to find the best weight management regimen for your dog.

Calorie Burning in Cats

walking is beneficial for the dogs and their ownersLittle is known about calorie burning in cats. For an average-sized adult cat, the ideal weight is 4–5kg, or eight to ten pounds. The best way to manage your cat’s weight is to manage how many calories your cat is consuming. Consult with your vet to determine the ideal daily calorie intake for your cat. It will depend on your cat’s life stage and its ideal weight (considering life stage, breed, gender, and other factors). Neutered cats require fewer calories per day than intact cats to maintain body weight. Also, kittens have a much higher calorie requirement than adult cats.

Don’t Underestimate The Benefits Of Walking Your Dog

Just because your dog is not burning many calories during a walk, you should not underestimate the benefits it provides to your dog. A walk provides the foundation of your dog’s mental and physical good health.

Going for a walk with your dog appeals to your dog’s instinct to be part of a team with you. Also, by exposing your dog to new situations, your dog will become more adaptable to things in the world, and your dog will regard you as its teacher and protector. Walking reinforces that sense of partnership in your dog and fortifies the bond between the two of you.

As indicated earlier, walking your dog burns off excess energy in a way that letting them out in your backyard will not. Regular walks will help your dog relax at home. You will find that a relaxed dog is easier to train and better behaved at home.

Think of your dog as an athlete. Most dogs need an hour of physical activity each day to help them stay in optimal health free of disease. Certain breeds, such as working or herding breeds, need more than an hour every day. Regardless of the breed or size of your dog, research shows one clear fact: sedentary dogs usually become overweight dogs. Overweight dogs eventually develop a host of health problems, such as joint problems and heart disease. Daily walking is the best way to keep them happy and healthy.

Help Your Dog Burn More Calories With The Dog Walking Team At Paw Pals!

walking a dog can help the dogs health and metal well-beingThe benefits of walking your dog every day are many. However, many dog owners have such busy lives that it is not always possible to keep up that schedule. The dog walking professionals at Paw Pals are available to help you fill that need. They know how to walk dogs in a way that provides just what your dog needs from it. Whether you need help on an occasional basis or as part of a regular routine, the Paw Pals dog walking team is there for you and your dog.

Filed Under: Dog Walking

Contact Paw Pals for More Information

Paw Pals specializes in professional dog walking, dog sitting, and pet sitting services. One of our reliable, adult staff members will keep your pet safe, while providing your pet the love and care they need when you are away. Contact us to learn more!

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Office Location

Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
14001-C Saint Germain Drive #213
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 345-1695

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Office Hours

Monday
9am - 5pm
Tuesday
9am - 5pm
Wednesday
9am - 5pm
Thursday
9am - 5pm
Friday
9am - 5pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Areas Served

Centreville – 20120, 20121
Chantilly – 22151
Clifton – 20124
Fairfax – 22030, 22033
Fairfax Station – 22039
Manassas – 20109, 20110, 20111
Reston – 20191, 20190

Google Rating
5.0
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
5.0
Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
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