Pets good for your health: Survey
By Maryam Shah, Toronto Sun
First posted: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 07:57 PM EDT | Updated: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 08:02 PM EDT
Pet parents are quick to thank their fur babies for keeping them healthier, according to survey results released Tuesday by a pet wellness company called Nutram.
The survey, conducted by Research Now, found nearly 70% of dog owners feel Fido helps keep them fit.
“If you go out for an outdoor walk with a dog, you’re on a bit of a jaunt, you’re going at a decent clip and you’re going probably (for) 30 to 60 minutes,” said Gillian Ridgeway, a pet wellness expert with Nutram.
Half of those surveyed said they get a dog for companionship, she explained.
“But the byproduct of the companionship is that they become a lot healthier,” said Ridegway, a long-time dog trainer. “So even people in cities, they’re getting more exercise than people out in the country, because they’re having to go out and walk their dogs.”
She cited a 2014 Health Canada survey that found around 46% of Canadians are inactive and not undertaking the daily recommended level of exercise, which is either an hour-long walk or a 20-minute jog.
The Research Now survey finds that 55% of dog owners said they walk or exercise with their dog for more than an hour daily.
By the numbers:
1,000 – Number of dog owners aged 18 and over surveyed online
48.5% - People who exercise their dogs on the sidewalk
32.5% - People who who exercise their dogs in local parks
18.2% - People who exercise their dogs on hiking trails
79% - People over 75 who say they get a dog for companionship
30 to 60 minutes – Minimum daily exercise required by a dog
Pets good for your health: Survey | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun
By Maryam Shah, Toronto Sun
First posted: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 07:57 PM EDT | Updated: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 08:02 PM EDT
Pet parents are quick to thank their fur babies for keeping them healthier, according to survey results released Tuesday by a pet wellness company called Nutram.
The survey, conducted by Research Now, found nearly 70% of dog owners feel Fido helps keep them fit.
“If you go out for an outdoor walk with a dog, you’re on a bit of a jaunt, you’re going at a decent clip and you’re going probably (for) 30 to 60 minutes,” said Gillian Ridgeway, a pet wellness expert with Nutram.
Half of those surveyed said they get a dog for companionship, she explained.
“But the byproduct of the companionship is that they become a lot healthier,” said Ridegway, a long-time dog trainer. “So even people in cities, they’re getting more exercise than people out in the country, because they’re having to go out and walk their dogs.”
She cited a 2014 Health Canada survey that found around 46% of Canadians are inactive and not undertaking the daily recommended level of exercise, which is either an hour-long walk or a 20-minute jog.
The Research Now survey finds that 55% of dog owners said they walk or exercise with their dog for more than an hour daily.
By the numbers:
1,000 – Number of dog owners aged 18 and over surveyed online
48.5% - People who exercise their dogs on the sidewalk
32.5% - People who who exercise their dogs in local parks
18.2% - People who exercise their dogs on hiking trails
79% - People over 75 who say they get a dog for companionship
30 to 60 minutes – Minimum daily exercise required by a dog
Pets good for your health: Survey | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun
