Just like their human counterparts, pets need a fitness regimen to keep them on the path to good health. The first key in any pet fitness regimen is you! As the owner, it is up to you to set the routine, find the motivation and get out there and exercise with your pet.

How do you find the motivation?
They key is to build your exercise routine with your pet into each week just like you would plug in an appointment to the vet, picking the kids up from school, or going to work each day. If you schedule it like any other appointment, the likelihood of deviating from it is less likely.

What is optimal?
Most experts feel that a thirty-minute routine, four times a week is sufficient for a dog of normal health. Though daily is even better if you have that much time to give. For a cat, fifteen minutes, once a day is sufficient for a cat of normal health. Though again, two fifteen minute sessions a day is optimal for an indoor cat. **If you suspect that your pet has any physical limitations, you should consult your vet before beginning any exercise routine.

What Works?
For dogs you have several options. You can either break your routine into two, fifteen minute sessions or if you and your pet are up to it, you can do the full thirty minutes all at once. Exercise options that work?

• You can play a vigorous game of fetch
• Go for a long walk
• Go for a jog
• You can play a wild game of chase
• If you have a water-loving breed, such as a Retriever, you can even go swimming
• Any game you and your pet can play that will get his heart pumping will do the job

Cats can be a little trickier because they type of play that they engage in is different than that of dogs. Cats engage in either social play, which is the romp, wrestle, and chase that you see between littermates or between cats living in the same household. Or they engage in object play, which is where they will stalk, pounce, chase and play with an object so they can kill it. Object play is what you should focus on when it comes to exercising your cat. There are many interactive type play toys on the market that work great when it comes to getting kitty's interest. Several of these include?

• Feather toys (Any toy with a handle for you to hold, tied to a string with a feather on the end is sure to go over big with your cat)
• Some cats like to play fetch with furry mice
• Toy balls on a slick surface floor can peek some kitties interest
• Catnip toys can also aid in getting your cat into the game
• Laser toys are a big plus with many cats (**Though hazardous if pointed in the eyes)

Whatever game you and your cat enjoy will work, just remember to keep up the pace for fifteen minutes.

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