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Last Updated on February 13, 2023
Humans need muscles in order to function properly, especially for its day to day activities. This goes the same for dogs too, but the difference here is that dogs need our intervention to help them grow muscles. Always remember that dogs are oblivious to things that they might need, and hence that is where we step in.
Helping Your Dog To Build Muscles In 3 Easy Steps
If you are thinking along the line of bringing your dog to the gym, then you might be exactly wrong here, just that the gym might not be the regular gym! Of course, while the pet gym can help to build muscles, there are actually various other methods that you can employ. Here are 3 easy steps that you can take to help build muscles in your dog.
1. Exercising
Exercising is the best and cheapest way to help build your dog’s or puppy’s muscles. Forms of exercising includes bringing your dog out for their daily walks, or even through hiking too. These activities are generally cost-free since you do not have to pay a single cent, and it does allow you to visit far-fetched places that might be Instagram worthy too. During such difficult times, having an Instadog can be relieving. These activities do require you to exercise along with them too, hence it can help you and the dog to lose calories but gain an eternal bond at the same time, so why not bring out the leash and get the dog to exercise with you?
If you would prefer to build up specific muscles groups in your dog, then doing muscles building exercises that are isolated to specific types of muscles will be good. There are many reasons for this. For example, owners might want their dogs to build up the back muscles so that they can pull the sledge effectively, or some owners might want the dog to go through agility training so that their dogs can remain agile!
There are several isolated exercises that can help promote growth in specific muscle groups. Here are some of them that you can try out with your dog!
- Swimming: This is one of the best overall exercises that can help to build muscles in your dogs, especially to their front and rear legs. Should you have dogs that have arthritis, then swimming can be the best form of exercises for them since it is a low impact form of exercise for your dog.
- Sprinting or agility training: This form of training is only for dogs that are meant to be sprinters or are meant to be agile. For example, you wouldn’t expect the Shih Tzu to sprint or be agile, but you might expect the Shiba Inu to be slightly more agile and hence agility training might be suitable for it.
- Sit and stand: During your regular obedience training session with the dog, you would have surely trained the dog to sit and then stand. This action actually helps to train up the dog’s rear muscles, and it is one of the most effective ways too. If you are looking into training up your dog’s rear legs, you can use the sit and stand command interchangeably so as to train the rear leg muscles!
2. Balanced And Healthy Diet
If you talk to your gym instructor, he will surely tell you that exercising alone will not give you that body that you want. You will need to work it together with having a healthy diet. This goes the same for dogs too! If you are looking into building your dog’s muscles up, you will need to feed the dog with a balanced and healthy diet so that muscle building can actually occur. In most cases, providing your dog with a protein-rich diet can help to build muscles too.
3. Supplements
Giving your dog supplements is another way to help the dogs build muscles effectively since not all kibbles or other dog food contain all the nutrients and minerals that your dog need to build up its muscle mass. Some of the highly recommended supplements include the Zesty Paws All Ages Multi-Collagen Bites, which is our top choice for the best supplement dog to promote muscle growth.
The Zesty Paws All Ages Multi-Collagen Bites contains a whole lot of nutrients and minerals that can help promote muscle growth. Most importantly, it contains collagen as well as eggshell membrane that is essential in repairing damage to cartilage, joints or tissue that is the result of extensive exercises!
Other Tips To Help Build Muscles In Dogs
In addition to the above three steps, here are some other tips that can help your dog build muscle:
- Be consistent: Stick to a regular routine of exercise and feeding to help your dog build muscle and stay healthy.
- Monitor your dog’s progress: Keep track of your dog’s weight and muscle mass to see how they are progressing. If you notice any changes, make adjustments to their diet and exercise routine accordingly.
- Give your dog time to rest: Muscles need time to recover after a workout, so make sure your dog gets plenty of rest between exercise sessions.
- Consult with your veterinarian: If you have any concerns about your dog’s muscle development or overall health, talk to your veterinarian. They can provide you with personalized advice and recommendations based on your dog’s individual needs.
Conclusion
Helping your dog to build muscles is an essential part of their overall health and well-being. By following the three easy steps outlined above, you can help your dog to build muscle, strength, and endurance, and improve their overall health and happiness. Remember to be patient and consistent, and you will surely see results in your dog!
