As Dog Owners, we know how much our furry friends value their walkies. Indeed, whether they’re bouncing Border Collies, mini Malteses, or stout Staffordshire Bull Terriers, all pooches require a daily dog walk. If you’re already a Dog Owner, the importance of walking your dog likely isn’t news to you.
Even so, many pet lovers are still unsure of the best time to walk their dogs. That’s why we’ve sifted through the research to find you the perfect time to take your pup for a stroll. Want to leave it to an expert? Book an on-demand Dog Walker!
“First thing” isn’t always the best thing for walking your dog
For the early birds among us, mornings often serve as the ideal window for lengthy Dog Walks. Not only do they start our pups’ day on a healthy note, they also give them a chance to *ahem* do their business after several hours of slumber. Just as crucially, they allow full-time workers to care for their furbabies before heading to work for the day.
However, while “first thing” may be convenient for Dog Owners, the time slot doesn’t always align with our canines’ needs. In fact, studies suggest that 10am is the magic hour to walk your dog.
Here are the four reasons why!
1. They’ve had time to digest their breakfast
Much like humans, dogs often need to relieve themselves in the morning. As such, if you want to keep your floors clean, you should take them outside when you first wake up. However, until they’ve digested their breakfast, they’re not going to make the most of a morning constitutional.
According to the Australian Sleep Health Foundation, the average Aussie wakes up at 6.32am. On the basis of this finding, we can assume the average dog receives their breakfast between 6.30 and 7am. By walking your pooch at 10am, you’re granting them a few hours to digest those sunrise munchies before pounding the pavement.
2. The streets aren’t as crowded
If you’ve ever tried walking your pup at 7.30am, you’ll know what it feels like to be on high alert. With countless cars racing to work, your furry friend faces more threats than they would at a more tranquil time of day. After all, it only takes one errant driver for disaster to strike.
In contrast, by 10am, most peak hour vehicles and pedestrians have cleared from the road. Beyond reducing the threat to your pooch, a 10am walk also gives them the footpath all to themselves!
3. The sun isn’t as severe
Of course, if off-peak traffic is the goal, you could walk your dog at any time during school hours. However, to quote music icons GANGgajang: “This is Australia”. The longer an Aussie day spans, the hotter it becomes, and the more our doggos will suffer under the sun. This is doubly true during a long walk, in which their bodies are more likely to overheat.
To keep them cool while they squeeze in their workout, stick to the 10am time slot. That way, you can address points 1 and 2 without letting your dog cook under the southern skies.
4. They’ll be more relaxed in the evening
Picture this: you’ve just returned home from a 10-hour day at work. You’re tired, your hungry, and all you want to do is curl up on the couch with your dog. There’s only one problem: your pooch still needs to take a looooooooong walk.
Even if you walked them before leaving for work, they’ve spent the last 10 hours cooped up at home. What’s more, they digested their breakfast hours ago, and they’ve had nothing to do with all that energy. At this stage, you pretty much have no choice over the matter. Your furry friend needs their walk, and you’re going to have to give it to them.
Now, compare this to a world in which your dog enjoyed a proper walk while you were out for the day. While they still may need a quick stroll when you arrive home, they will have already quenched their thirst for a lengthy jaunt. In other words, you’ll be free to cuddle up and unwind with your furry friend.
“Welcome home, human! I sure enjoyed my Dog Walk while you were away. Let’s retire to the couch!”
One big problem exists with this plan…
Needless to say, a 10am walk schedule may pose a problem for many Pet Owners. ABS data shows us that 80% of Australians work more than 35 hours per week; for those amongst them who work 9am to 5pm, they simply won’t be home at 10am to walk their pooch.
…but that doesn’t mean someone can’t be walking your dog at the right time!
Fortunately, you can still do what’s best for your dog without racking up your sick leave. With Mad Paws, you can connect with a trusted, local Dog Walker at a time that suits you (and your pet) best.
Find & book a trusted Dog Walker near you >
