A new study suggests less than half of dogs are being taken on daily walks.
Just over 40 per cent of pooches get taken out by the owners daily, dog food company Forthglade's survey of of 1,500 owners found.
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And if they are getting walked, it's not necessarily for long enough. The average weekday dog walk is just 20 minutes, despite guidance suggesting that it should be at least 30 minutes to an hour each day.
"Our research highlights a growing need for people to extend their daily dog walks, to really make the most of all the health and wellbeing benefits to both us and our dogs. It's also a wonderful way to nurture the special bond between dogs and owners, which in itself, makes us so happy," said Gerard Lovell, Forthglade Joint Managing Director.
A total of 28 per cent of dog owners confessed to not having enough time to take their dog out every day.
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Owners excuses also included: the dog pulling on the lead (11 per cent), being too tired after work (15 per cent) or that their dog doesn't like go on a walk in bad weather (20 per cent).
Speaking of the results, Dr Carri Westgarth explained: "It sounds obvious to state that regular walks are good for us, but in our busy lives, it's easy for walks to slip by in a hurry, or be put off until tomorrow.
"We want to help people rediscover the joy in walking their dogs and appreciate those moments that are not only benefitting the dog and themselves physically, but also helping us de-stress and improving our mental health."
Forthglade has now launched The Great British Dog Walk initiative to try and get owners to talk their four-legged friends on daily walks in the new six-week challenge.