A recent study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association found that, for the most part, cancer risks are reduced when humans incorporate non-work-related exercise into their lives.

This finding may mean great news for improving the lives of our pets.

If cancer may be reduced by merely exercising, then we want to incorporate this simple lifestyle change into your furry friend’s routine.

The key is to look for ways to incorporate more time your dog is on his feet.

This is especially true for dogs who are more inclined to stay indoors.

As you go through the day, here are some ways you can build a cancer-fighting exercise routine for your pet.

Morning

In the morning, take your pup for a walk…a real walk. Don’t just walk your pup down the block and come back, but actually exercise her.

Here are some things you can do to make your dog’s workout more aerobic:

• Choose to walk the inclines.

• Gradually increase your exercise time.

• Gradually increase your walking pace.

• Insert jogging intervals into your walk.

If you live near the coast, you may want to exercise your plump pooch on the sand. Deep sand is harder to walk through and will burn more calories.

Afternoon

If you work from home or are able to zip on over to your house, consider using part of your lunch break to play with your fun-loving friend.

If you can’t, you may want to consider occasionally hiring a dog-walker to take Fido for a lap in the park.

If you do hire someone to do your walking, be sure to educate him or her on taking precautions in the summer heat.

If it is too hot to go outside, have your pet sitter play with your dog inside with some of your pup’s favorite toys.

Evening

The evening is a great time to get outside to enjoy the cooler temperatures.

This is the time to incorporate longer activities that you can’t enjoy during the workday.

Your dog may enjoy a good swim at the local lake or playing tag in the backyard.

If you have enough time, you and Fido may even enjoy a short hike if you have trails available near your home. Check out American Trails to find a recreation place near you.

Be sure you include adequate time for your dog to wind down from his activities. Your dog won’t feel as sleepy if he’s just finished a mile-long trek on the greenway.

Using Technology

If you want to keep better track of your dog’s health, you can also take advantage of today’s technological breakthroughs.

You can use a tracking system like FitBark to help you monitor how much time he spends playing and burning his calories.

This is just one example of the technological tools you can use to monitor your dog’s exercise time. Use your search engine to find the best tool for you and your pet.

Other Activities

These are not the only ways you can incorporate exercise into your pup’s life. Get innovative! Here are a few other ideas for you:

Let your dog play with children. Kids are full of energy, and they usually love dogs.

Letting your nieces and nephews play with Fido can mean an automatic workout.

Join a local agility group. The USDAA offers local dog agility groups. Go to their FAQ page to learn more about this fun sport!

Do you have your own ideas for building your dog a cancer-fighting exercise routine?

Share your tips with us on our Facebook page!