Walks

Summer is behind us, and we’ll soon be walking our dogs in the gloomy mornings and evenings of autumn. But those strolls can come with a few challenges....

Visibility is a major concern for many dog owners heading out in the autumn and winter darkness. It can be more difficult for drivers to see you, and let’s face it, walking at night can sometimes be frightening for both us and our dogs.

So to help keep you and your dog safe on evening and morning walks, here are our top tips as those longer nights draw in.

Wear reflective gear:

Although we ship our products nationwide, Healthful Pets are based in the beautiful county of Cheshire. So whether you are local or planning a visit, we thought we’d share one of our favourite local walks with you... 

This walk starts and finishes at a local country, The Plough, a very dog friendly pub, so you can be sure of refreshment after your walk.

This walk takes in The Whitegate Way which 100 years ago was a branch line connecting the Winsford Salt Mines to the main Chester to Manchester line at Cuddington; now it is a gorgeous country path about 7 miles long.

You will also see some of the areas many lakes and meres,

Summer is prime time for walking trips and exploring the great outdoors. Since our dogs are members of the family, we’re always looking for ways we can include them too. But when it comes to walking trips with your pooch, there are some special considerations you have to bear in mind, it's not quite as simple as just 'pack up and leave.'Here are 8 backpacking essentials to ensure you and your dog have a fun and safe walking trip this summer.

Water

Be sure to pack plenty of water for both you and your dog. Hydration is the number one priority here. While exercising in the heat you’ll both be thirstier than normal, so you may need to pack more than you’d expect. Dogs need to drink up to 50% more in hotter climates and you certainly don’t want to run out when you are miles

Exercising your Dog…the many benefits and how much exercise does your dog need?

One thing that all breeds of dog have in common is a love and a need for daily. From Pug to Pointer and Labrador to Lhasa Apso; they all thrive on fresh air and activity.

Dogs love to go outdoors to engage with their environment and socialise with other dogs and people. Exercise will keep your dog’s frame strong, weight in a healthy range and it will also help prevent or alleviate degenerative joint diseases such as arthritis.

There are a number of factors influencing the exercise needs of your dog.

We all know how important physical exercise is for keeping our dogs fit and healthy. But as experts agree, a combination of both physical and mental stimulation is key to a happy, healthy dog.

Many owners today still believe they must physically wear out their dog to get any peace at home. When in fact you’ll burn excess energy more effectively with mental workouts. If your dog uses their brain for just 5 minutes, they’ll actually feel more tired than after a 20-minute walk around the block.

Keeping your dog’s brain active will significantly improve their general well-being and alleviate common behaviour problems. Mental exercise

The classic Malham Walk is a circular route incorporating Janet’s Foss, Gordale Scar, Malham Cove and Malham Tarn. A fantastic walk taking in a wide range of terrain and beautiful scenery – one of the finest walks in the Yorkshire Dales.

Key Walk Facts: Approximately 6 1/2 miles. 4-hours.

Map of Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/581396

You may have seen this walk featured recently on the ITV programme The Top 100 Walks in the UK – this fantastic Malham walk came in at number 3. I was lucky enough to spend a couple of years living at Malham Tarn and did this