How can I responsibly exercise with my dog - and what about cats?

by Team WellJoy

“I’ve been hiking with Peanut since she was a few years old, starting out with smaller walks and always making sure we stop for plenty of water breaks. My cat, Spider, also loves to play – but for him it’s all about his favorite feathery wand toy.”

One of the reasons we love our pets is the sense of teamwork. What’s more joyful than helping your cat stalk a feather toy with laser focus? Or waiting for your dog to come running back with their ball?

Exercising with your pet doesn’t just have to be on their terms, either. More and more Pet Loyalists are taking their pets running, or bringing them along for ambitious hikes. Some of the adventurous Cat Loyalists might even have invested in a harness, so they can enjoy walks alongside their cat.

Importantly, these moments aren’t just about play or exercise; they build trust, release stress and help us connect with one another.

However, finding the right sort of exercise for your pet means planning ahead, having the right equipment, and understanding the dos and don’ts that will keep them safe.

Basic rules for exercising with your pet

The best kind of exercise is the one that matches your pet’s personality and their needs, fits into your lifestyle, and ends before exhaustion. So, before you head out on that hike or plunge into the pool, there’s some essential dos and don’ts:

• Do stay hydrated - give your pet water before, during and after playtime.
• Do modify exercise based on their age and breed - avoid repetitive, high impact activity for puppies, as this can damage developing joints. For older dogs or large breeds, any exercise should include a gradual warm-up.
• Don’t forget the temperature - no intense exercise over ~75°F (24°C), particularly if you have a short-faced breed. Remember low temps too – anything around 32°F (0°C) or lower requires extra caution for small breeds, short-haired dogs, puppies and seniors.
• Don’t assume cold weather is ok - cooler temperatures can mean stiffer joints, particularly for the senior pets
• Don’t just keep on going - your pet might be having the time of their life, but they don’t always know when to stop. Dog Loyalists in particular should keep an eye on lots of panting, lagging behind or pale gums. 

Scroll down for our quick guides to different sports and exercise (or, Cat Loyalists, scroll all the way to the bottom for your own dedicated section). 

For the cyclists

If you have a breed that loves to run – Huskies, Weimaraners, Setters, Pointers and Vizslas we’re looking at you - this is an ideal exercise. It can also be a great choice for the calmer or older dogs (even some tolerant cats) that might be happy to sit in a bike trailer and watch the world pass by.

DO

• Save this activity for dogs that are physically able to run alongside you. Usually this means medium to large athletic breeds.
• Start your dog out gradually and slowly, on flat, traffic-free terrain, to get them used to it first.
• Use a well-fitted harness instead of any type of neck or head collar.
• Choose a safe surface like dirt trails, grass paths, or smooth gravel.
• Keep the pace to a controlled jog not a sprint.
  Do: Start slowly and gradually increase distance over time, to condition your dog’s paw pads. 
• Keep an eye on your dog the day after, to monitor any potential stiffness.

DON'T

• Tie your dog to your bike with their normal leash – invest in a hands-free bike attachment specifically designed for dogs.
• Cycle with short-faced dogs like Bulldogs, Pugs or Pekinese, that might have breathing challenges, or short-legged dogs like Corgis, that might struggle to keep up the pace.
• Start before skeletal maturity. Avoid a bike until the dog is fully grown (often 12–18 months depending on breed). High-impact repetitive exercise can damage developing joints.
• Ride on hot pavement. Asphalt can quickly burn paw pads. If you can’t comfortably hold your hand on the pavement for several seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s feet.
• Skip training your dog. They  should very reliably know “heel”, “slow”, “stop” and “leave it” commands

For the hikers

Your backpack is on, your shoes are tied, and you’re ready for an epic hike. It’s no surprise your dog is too – walking and hiking offer a lot of sniffing opportunities, and mental stimulation. Taking them with you is all about gradual steps, making sure you build up to longer trips over time, and check in on them at regular intervals (and the next day).

DO

• Start slowly and gradually increase distance over time, to condition your dog’s paw pads. 
• Keep an eye on your dog the day after, to monitor any potential stiffness.
• Keep your dog on a leash. This prevents encounters with unfamiliar dogs or wildlife, and stops curious pups from eating potentially dangerous things like mushrooms or toxic plants. Keeping your pet leashed also protects the natural environment by keeping dogs from disturbing wildlife or fragile ecosystems.
• Bring plenty of water
• Check trail conditions and weather. Hot surfaces, steep terrain, or extreme temperatures can be hard on paws and joints. Choose trails that match your dog’s fitness level.
• Pack the essentials, such as waste bags and water.

DON'T

• Take puppies and senior dogs on long, challenging hikes. For the younger pups, follow the ‘five minutes walk for each month of age’ guidelines, and for senior dogs, find less challenging terrain.
• Keep on going without checking in with your pet. Slowing down, heavy panting, lying down or refusing to go up hills are all signs they need a break. If you’re on rocky, hot or icy terrain, check their paws regularly and keep an eye on any limping. 
• Leave waste behind. Picking it up keeps trails clean and protects local ecosystems.
• Forget ID. Make sure your dog has proper ID tags or a microchip in case you get separated.

For the park-lovers

Some pets love nothing more than a good chase – and they’re not too fussy if it’s after a frisbee or a ball. Dog Loyalists with Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Retrievers or Malinois know that these dogs adore these kinds of park games.

DO

• Build in rest breaks - particularly for the more excitable dogs that just don’t know when to stop.
• Warm up carefully to this kind of activity, as it can involve a lot of intense sprinting.
• Mix in some training cues like “sit” “wait” or “drop it” between throws. This adds mental stimulation and helps keep the game controlled.

DON'T

• Play for more than 10-15-minute sessions, to give your dog a chance to rest and recover. 
• Make the game about repetitive actions like high jumping, as this can be hard on the joints of young pups or large-breed dogs.
• Forget to watch for signs your dog is getting tired. Slowing down, excessive panting, or losing enthusiasm for the game are good signals it’s time for a break.

For the runners

Sporting breeds and herding breeds are the natural marathon runners of the dog world. When it comes to this kind of energetic exercise, Pet Loyalists really need to pay attention to the temperature, to make sure dogs don’t overheat. Be particularly careful with young dogs that are still growing, and senior dogs that may have joint issues.

DO

• Train your dog with loose-leash skills, so they can be confidently attached via a waist-leash system.
• Build up endurance gradually, and in safe terrain.
• Run during cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening, and bring water for both you and your dog.

DON'T

• Go running with giant breeds or dogs with short faces such as the French Bulldog or Pug, which can struggle with heat regulation and  exercise.
• Take very young puppies along with you; their bones are still developing and repetitive impact can increase the risk of joint problems later in life.
• Push through signs of fatigue. If your dog starts lagging behind, panting excessively, or losing enthusiasm, it’s time to slow down or head home.
  

For the swimmers

You might not immediately think of swimming as an exercise to do with your dog, but it’s actually a fantastic, low-impact option – particularly for pets that are overweight or have joint problems.

DO

• Invest in a canine life jacket, particularly if you’re going to be in open water.
• Take Spaniels and Retrievers on swimming trips with you; these breeds love the water and are great swimmers.
• Carry a dry towel or cotton balls, so you can gently wipe your dog’s ears after the swim. If you swim a lot, you could also pack a bottle of ear drying solution.

DON'T

• Swim with short-faced or short-legged breeds such as bulldogs or dachshunds.which may struggle to stay afloat or tire quickly.
• Leave dogs unattended in the water or allow them to swim until exhaustion. Even strong swimmers can become fatigued, so keep sessions relatively short (around 10–15 minutes at a time), supervise closely, and allow plenty of rest breaks.

For the cats and their Cat Loyalists

Most cats don’t need, or want, to go on hikes or run alongside you. Instead, they thrive on the kind of play that satisfies their predatory instincts.

Different pets will enjoy different toys and ways of engaging with you, so it’s about understanding what works best for your cat and their personality. High-energy breeds like Bengals, Siamese and Abyssinians, in particular, often need more stimulation. 

And Cat Loyalists don’t need to be jealous of all that hiking, biking and swimming either. There’s a whole menu of options for playing with your cat, including:

• Wand toys

• Laser play (this should always end with an actual toy ‘catch’ moment)

• Food puzzles

• Vertical climbing spaces

• Hide & seek games

• Chase sessions (these should be five- to 10-minutes long)

• Exercise wheels

• Leash walks (some cats really can learn to love this as much as dogs, if it’s carefully introduced). 

For more on keeping cats entertained, read our guide.

The joy of exercising with your pet

Playing games and exercising with your pet keeps them (and you!) healthy, but it goes far beyond that.

It builds your pet’s confidence, it grows the partnership the two of you have, and it’s joyful for both sides. So whether you have a Bengal that loves a game of chase, or a Border Collie that’s by your side on every hike, enjoy chasing, walking, running, swimming, hiking and playing together, safe in the knowledge you’re doing it responsibly.

We’re proud to say that all of WellJoy’s content is fact-checked and verified by a Pet Loyalist team, including a veterinarian trained in companion animal nutrition and a PhD board-certified companion animal nutritionist.