How Long Should You Play With Your Dog Daily?

Whether you’re welcoming a new dog to your home for the first time or have already enjoyed pets for years, you probably know how playful all dog breeds can get! That’s why you need to prepare yourself to spend time and energy to walk your dog outdoors, play with pet toys, and a lot more.

But wait! Did you know that there is such a thing as overworking your dog to the point of exhaustion. Just like us humans, they have a recommended amount of time suitable for walks and playing games.

How Long Should You Play With Your Dog Daily?

There is no set answer to this, as the recommended amount of playtime your dog needs for health and enjoyment depends on various factors, such as:

• Their breed size and type
• Age (puppies require more playtime compared to senior dogs)
• Gender
• Individual differences and medical conditions

But ideally, there should be exercise and playtime for about 30-60 minutes daily on average. Limit the exercise and playtime to up to 2 hours to prevent dogs from exhausting themselves. What you can do is to start with 10-15 minutes of exercise and playtime, and work your way up there as needed.

You can have them play through various ways, such as:

• Pet toys from Peggasus Pets and other reputable stores (frisbees for Fetch games are fun!)
• Brisk walks or slow runs together
• Swimming
• Learning new tricks
• Agility training around an obstacle course

Again, the type of exercise and its intensity will depend on the factors mentioned above.

• For instance, bigger dog breeds that are developed for active lifestyles may need more than 2 hours of exercise.
• Your senior dog won’t be able to go for runs, but short walks around the neighborhood is recommended.
• Small puppies can’t exert too much energy for so long to protect their bone structure, so short, daily exercises are best for them.

It’s best to research and ask veterinarians about your dog’s breed and medical conditions they may have. They will be able to help you figure out a good playtime and exercise schedule for your dog’s individual needs.

Your dog needs more playtime in their lives because it helps with their health and overall wellbeing. A study from the Bristol University found that dogs that don’t engage in playtime are more likely to have behavioral issues like anxiety or aggression. Furthermore, less play time would lead to more whining, jumping, and ignoring their owner when called.

Basically, playtime is essential for your dog’s growth and your relationship with one another.

Wrapping It Up

While not playing with your dog enough is bad for its health, the same goes for if it wouldn’t be able to rest. Be sure to keep playtime to under 2 hours and give your dog the time of day to play however way he wants. Lace up your shoes, grab his favorite pet toys, and have fun while staying healthy now!

If you have questions or want to share your insights on dogs’ playtimes, share them in the comments section below. We appreciate all of your thoughts!