Regular exercise in dogs plays a key role in disease prevention
After the first weeks of the year, attention usually shifts from purposes to concrete actions. For dogs and cats, this means reviewing whether daily care—exercise, nutrition, and emotional health—is aligned with healthy living and long-term disease prevention. Beyond affection, the well-being of our companion animals is built from informed and sustained decisions over time.
From the experience of the UNAM-Banfield Veterinary Hospital, an institution that promotes evidence-based preventive medicine and that exclusively cares for dogs and cats, responsible care is based on three fundamental pillars: physical activity, nutrition and emotional health. Caring for them comprehensively allows us to anticipate common ailments and accompany them at every stage of their life.
_”Well-being is not limited to the specimen looking good or being active; it is about preventing, detecting and constantly monitoring health. Preventive veterinary medicine allows us to act before problems appear and offer it a longer and better quality life,” explains Dr. Fausto Reyes Delgado, Medical and Institutional Development Director of the UNAM-Banfield Veterinary Hospital.
Regular exercise in dogs plays a key role in preventing diseases. Daily walks and structured play help maintain a healthy weight, strengthen the cardiovascular system, and reduce stress. In the case of cats, especially those that live indoors, interactive play and vertical spaces promote mobility, stimulate the mind and prevent behaviors associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
In this way, daily activity contributes to better emotional well-being, reducing anxiety and strengthening the bond between the pet and its guardian.
A balanced diet for dogs and cats is one of the most determining factors for their health. Adjusting the diet to the age, size, activity level and health condition of each person is an essential preventive measure, since an inadequate diet can promote the appearance of overweight, metabolic alterations and other conditions that affect the quality of life.
According to the Mars Global Pet Parent Study[1]32% of guardians acknowledge feeling guilty for leaving their dogs and cats alone, a sign that close coexistence with animals is increasingly linked to expectations of comprehensive care and well-being. This context reinforces the importance of accompanying daily decisions with professional veterinary guidance and periodic reviews.
The emotional well-being of our pets can also be affected by changes in routines, lack of stimulation, noisy or unpredictable environments can generate stress in dogs and cats, with physical and behavioral repercussions. Stability, play, regular schedules, and preventive care help create safe environments that support emotional balance.
In a country where millions of dogs and cats are part of households, building a culture of responsible ownership involves understanding that caring is also anticipating. Regular veterinary visits, early detection and professional support allow us to act before problems appear.
_”When we understand that care goes beyond immediate affection, we take an important step towards prevention. That is the way to build a better world for pets”_, concludes Dr. Reyes Delgado.
date: 2026-02-15 01:56:00
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