Keeping your pet active is just as important as feeding them the right food or keeping up with their vet visits. Regular exercise helps with weight control, joint health, and even boredom. The challenge? Finding activities that fit your pet’s lifestyle, especially if they spend their time indoors or when Arizona’s heat makes outdoor play tricky.
Here are some fun ways to keep your pet moving all year long, indoors and outside.
Why Exercise Matters for Pets
Exercise is about more than just burning energy. It helps your pet:
- Manage a healthy weight
- Build strong muscles and joints
- Release pent-up energy ( which helps prevent chewing or late-night zoomies)
- Strengthen their bond with you
And just like us, pets that don’t get enough activity are more likely to struggle with weight gain, arthritis, or anxiety.
Indoor Exercise Ideas for Cats and Dogs
When it’s too hot or stormy to go outside—something we know all too well in Arizona—there are still plenty of ways to keep pets moving indoors.
- Treat Toys
Lick mats, treat puzzles, and food-dispensing toys keep pets busy, encourage problem-solving, and make them work for their snacks. - Indoor Games
Hallway fetch works especially well for smaller dogs with big energy. - Obstacle Courses
Setting up an obstacle course with cushions, perches, tunnels, or chairs give both dogs and cats something new to figure out. - Interactive Play
Pets love getting attention! Things like wand toys for cats and tug-of-war ropes for dogs help pets burn energy, and the interactive play strengthens your connection. - Training and tricks
Turn indoor time into learning time. It will provide mental stimulation, and most pets love the rewards that come with training.
Outdoor Exercise Ideas for Dogs and Cats
When the weather is safe and cool enough, outdoor time offers pets a change of scenery and plenty of mental stimulation. A few ways to get moving include:
- Walking
Try to go in the early morning or later in the evening to avoid scorching hot pavement and heat stress. Cats can go for walks, too. You can try a leash and harness to let your cat explore, or carry them in a special screened backpack. - Hiking
Exploring Arizona’s pet-friendly trails can be a great weekend activity, as long as you bring extra water and stick to shaded paths. - Swimming
Playing in a pool (while supervised) or even splashing in a shallow kiddie pool can give dogs a low-impact workout. - Games
Backyard games like fetch, frisbee, or hide-and-seek help tire active dogs out before bedtime. - Catios
Exercising their curiosity is the best way to get cats to move around. If you have the space, you can build or buy a “catio” where your cat can climb around and enjoy some outdoor sights and smells.
How to Keep Your Pet Active and Happy
Exercise should be fun for both of you, not another chore.
Whether it’s a short game of fetch in the hallway or a weekend hike on a cool morning, the important thing is consistency. Every bit of movement helps your pet stay healthy, happy, and more comfortable at home and as they age. Even a few minutes here and there make a difference if you build it into their daily routine.
And always remember to check with your veterinarian before you begin an exercise program, to make sure your pet is physically ready.
If you’re not sure what types of exercise are safe for your pet, or you’ve noticed changes in their activity level, contact us. At Anasazi Animal Clinic, we’ll help you build an exercise plan that fits your pet’s needs so you can enjoy many more active years together.
Photo by marieke koenders on Unsplash used with permission under the creative commons license for commercial use 10/1/2025