As we all know, walking is important for our dogs. It provides them with the exercise they need while allowing them to do their business, socialize, and get some fresh air. But you might wonder how long of a walk a dog needs. Is 20 minutes enough?
Most dogs will require between 30 and 60 minutes of physical activity per day. So a 20-minute walk might be enough for some dogs if you provide them with other forms of exercise. On the other hand, more active breeds will need more and longer walks.
Two 15-minute walks per day should generally be enough for dogs. But your dog might need much more or less than that, depending on his breed, age, health, and other conditions. So let’s figure out if a 20-minute walk is enough for your dog!
How Many Minutes Should You Walk Your Dog?
Around 30 minutes of walking per day should be enough for most dogs. But you should ideally aim for 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the dog, for optimal health and fitness. If you have a puppy, you should walk him 5 minutes per month of age once or twice a day.
How much you should walk your dog mainly depends on his exercise needs. That will vary according to many factors, including his breed, age, health, energy, and fitness level. But the easiest way to know approximately how much walking a dog needs is to consider the breed.
Your Dog’s Exercise Needs!
You can check my guide on the exercise needs by breed to quickly get a good idea of how much exercise your dog needs. Then, you can divide that number by two to get an approximate number of minutes he should walk because around half of your dog’s exercise needs should be made up of walking.
Here’s a more concrete example. Labrador Retrievers need between 60 and 90 minutes of exercise per day. So they will require at least 30 to 45 minutes of daily walking. But as energetic and active dogs, Labs can tolerate much more than that and walk or hike for hours in one day.
On the other hand, French Bulldogs will only need around 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise. So they can be OK with walking 15 to 30 minutes per day. As you can see, the breed will give you a good idea of how much to walk your dog. But there are many other factors to consider!
Age
The recommendations above refer to adults. If you have a puppy or senior dog, his exercise and walking requirements might be different. So age can influence how many minutes you should walk your dog.
How Much Should A Puppy Walk?
Puppies need around 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, up to twice a day. Most of that can be made up of walking. So a 4-month-old puppy can walk between 20 and 40 minutes per day. But don’t forget there are other ways to exercise your pup.
| Puppy Age | Walking Limits |
|---|---|
| 3 Months Old | 15-30 Minutes |
| 4 Months Old | 20-40 Minutes |
| 5 Months Old | 25-50 Minutes |
| 6 Months Old | 30-60 Minutes |
How Much Should A Senior Dog Walk?
As your dog passes a certain age, he will gradually have reduced energy, stamina, and physical health. Therefore, you should adapt your walking routine to his new conditions. So an old dog might need shorter and fewer walks.
Health
Your dog’s health is another important element to consider for walking. Several canine conditions or injuries can make this activity painful.
On the other hand, dogs in perfect health might need to walk more to stay in good shape. So I would highly recommend doing a health check with your vet to know your dog’s conditions.
Fitness & Energy Level
Besides health, your dog’s exercise tolerance is another thing to keep in mind. A dog with a lot of energy and good physical condition can walk much longer than if one that’s lazy and overweight. The more fit and energetic a dog is, the more walking he should get.
So How Long Should You Walk Your Dog?
With all that information, you should be able to find approximately how many minutes your dog needs to walk per day. Take his breed exercise needs, divide that number by two, and adjust it according to the other factors. Once you have a number in mind, let’s figure out how many walks your dog should get.
How Many Walks A Day Does Your Dog Need?
A dog should ideally get at least 2 or 3 walks per day. So if your dog needs an hour of walking, you can do two 30-minute or three 20-minute walks throughout the day. Multiple shorter walks are generally better than fewer long ones.
It will allow your dog to spend his energy, do its business, go outside, and socialize more often. So a walk in the morning, one around noon, and another in the evening would be the perfect walking routine. But we all know it’s not always possible for everyone.
Consider Your Schedule
Try scheduling as many walks as possible in your day to reach your dog’s needs. Once you have found a way to squeeze in enough walking time in your daily routine, stick to it and make it a habit. And if you have some free time, you can always add an extra walk here and there with your dog.
Is A 15-Minute Walk Good For A Dog?
A 15-minute walk is good for a dog, but only one won’t be enough for most dogs. Maybe it can be sufficient if you have a dog that doesn’t need much exercise and you find other ways to stay active together. But in general, you should aim for at least two or three 15-minute walks per day.
Is A 30-Minute Dog Walk Enough?
30 minutes of walking per day should be enough for most dogs, but some might need more. Ideally, you should divide it into two 15-minute walks throughout the day. So a 30-minute dog walk can be enough, but many shorter walks adding up to the same time would be better.
What If You Don’t Have Time To Walk Your Dog?
If you don’t have time or can’t walk your dog enough for some reason, don’t worry. I got you covered. There are many alternatives to walking your dog, such as playing with toys, brain games, and dog sports. You can also consider asking a friend or hiring a dog walker to take your dog on walks.
Whatever you end up doing, just make sure your dog gets enough exercise and walking time. Otherwise, he might become bored and overweight, which can lead to many other problems. So keep your dog fit, healthy, and happy with daily walks.
Last Thoughts About Walking Your Dog Enough!
Finally, a 20-minute walk won’t be enough for most dogs. But it might be if you have a young pup or dog that doesn’t need much exercise. Healthy adult dogs should generally walk at least two times per day for a minimum of 15 minutes.
So dogs will need less or more than that, but it’s a good rule of thumb to follow. For a more specific answer, you can consider your dog’s exercise needs according to the breed, divide it by two, and adjust it depending on other conditions such as age, health, and fitness.
You can also talk to your vet for more personalized and professional advice. Once you have a better idea of how much you should walk your dog, it’s time to take action. Let’s organize that walking routine and get those steps in!
Have Fun Walking With Your Dog!