Increasing popularity of dog treadmills

We dress them up for Halloween, we buy them birthday and Christmas presents and take a million photos of them, today’s pets have become fur babies or ‘fur kids’ for many of us. We even bring them to the gym for dog yoga or ‘doga,’ so why not teach them how to use a treadmill or buy them one of their own?

Some 3 million dogs were using treadmills in 2010, according to a survey of pet owners by the American Pet Products Association, reports Seattlepi.com The association collected data about treadmills for the first time in its 2011/2012 survey because the machines were selling so briskly.

According to author and trainer Kathy Diamond Davis, “Exercise can improve bone and joint health. Heart and lung function can improve. A dog whose exercise needs are met may rest more calmly at home and be less fretful when left alone.”

Just like human exercise, moderation is the key. “As in most other things, moderation works admirably for dogs when it comes to exercise…Exercise that is healthy for both mind and body is the very best kind of exercise,” noted Davis.

With a sedentary and aging society, the dog treadmill may be an idea whose time has come. If you already have a human treadmill, you might want to check out this helpful and hilarious training video – set to the theme from Rocky – which walks you through the steps of how to train your dog to make friends with your treadmill.

You’ll also get a laugh at two Corgis on a treadmill – but, hey, at least it’s exercise. Even cats are getting in on the act! Check out these two cats starring in a funny YouTube video that’s had more than three million views and counting.

Like human treadmills, doggie-sized ones don’t come cheap. A few companies produce treadmills specifically for dogs. Pawwws.com offers treadmills priced from $599 to $1,499, and Jog-a-dog.com has four treadmill sizes priced from $1,195 to $2,995. The DogPacer is also popular as a folding one-size-fits-all dog treadmill priced at $499.

If you’re a lazy dog owner, you might want to check out this top 10 list of dogs that need the least amount of exercise. Although, take it with a grain of salt, for many dogs a walk outside is also about enjoying a change of scene, socializing with other dogs and people, and spending quality time with their human guardian.

The next time you’re down for the count with a cold, recovering from knee surgery, or unwilling to face the elements, you’ll be glad you trained Rover (and maybe even Kitty!) to enjoy a “W-A-L-K” on the treadmill. Who knows, it might just become your dog’s other best friend.