Pet Treadmills
Here’s an interesting fact: did you know that dogs and cats are more prone to heart diseases than their owners?
Some studies show that heart attack is very rare among pets. However, heart attack isn’t the only cardiac disease there is. Cats are more susceptible to dilated cardiomyopathy than humans, because of the lack of the amino acid called taurine in their diet. Dogs are more susceptible to heart diseases involving the valves of the said organ, which prevents blood from flowing back to the heart.
What compounds these pets’ woes is the fact that most of them don’t get the regular workouts demanded by a healthy lifestyle. Just imagine how unhealthy people get when they are left at home feeding on junk food while watching television most of the day. Now think of a dog who’s left in a small cage where there is limited room for exercise.
Pet owners in urban dwellings, though they may not keep their pets in cages, still keep their pets in small enclosures given the limited space of their housing units. Also, the fast pace of city life may prevent them from walking their dogs or cats to provide for the latter to stretch their legs and burn some fats.
The result? Overweight pets who are even more susceptible to a variety of heart diseases.
Thankfully, pet treadmills have been made available in the market.
The idea may sound laughable. Pet treadmills? Treadmills for pets? It sounds like a funny home video uploaded over at YouTube, right?
But the idea of treadmills for pets is very much real. In fact, treadmills for cats and dogs and other domesticated 4-legged mammals is a stroke of genius. If pet owners will find it difficult to provide their pets with ample resources and time for exercise, then these specially designed treadmills are sure to provide convenient solutions to ensure a healthier lifestyle for our animal companions.
There are a few pet-specific matters to consider when studying these special treadmills:
- Is the treadmill user-powered or is it run by a motor engine. Smaller breeds of dogs may benefit more from motorized treadmills given their generally lazy disposition. Bigger breeds can do with user-powered treadmills given the strength of their leg muscles as well as their natural inclination towards physical activities.
- The size of the running/walking area. The size should be perfect for your dog or cat.
- Leeway for adjustments. How big is the maximum incline? How small can it get?
Pet treadmills are relatively novel products. You won’t find a unit in just about any pet or fitness shop you’d visit. Your best bet is to search for one online, and if a unit interests you, you can have it delivered to your doorstep.
Though fat cats and dogs are adorable to observe, always remember that an overweight pet is an unhealthy pet. Don’t let your heart do the thinking. What’s best for your pet is proper diet and regular exercise for a leaner, meaner body mass that will be fit for the rigors of each and every day. Pet treadmills are excellent aids in achieving this goal.
Author: Wendy Pan
Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about pet treadmills, please visit Free Pet Health for current articles and discussions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wendy_Pa
More info on exercise treadmills for your pet:
How To Train Your Pet To Become A Treadmill Dog
Doggie Treadmills: Are they Worth the Price? February 16th, 2009 | the dog guy. How to Choose..
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admin on February 25th 2009 in Dog Treadmills
Train Your Dog To Use A Treadmill | Dog Treadmills, Buy a Dog Treadmill said on 14 Apr 2009 at 3:27 pm #
[...] Treadmill use has grown over the years due to how simple and effective they are to get a thorough workout. There is no reason why your dog can’t benefit from the same principals as you do. With a little training and reassurance, a treadmill gets results, whether for you or your treadmill dog. [...]