Daily exercise is important for both physical and mental health. Insufficient exercise can contribute to the development of behaviour problems and health issues.

Exercise requirements vary between animal species, life stages, and health status. For example, over-exercising of growing dogs, especially those of larger breeds, may result in muscle or joint problems. Older animals typically require relatively less exercise, but physical activity remains important for both health and mental stimulation.

Where animals are unable to exercise normally, for example when recovering from injury, additional enrichment should be provided to alleviate boredom.

SPCA supports the provision of appropriate exercise wheels for rodents and cats.

Exercise wheels can be helpful in meeting animal’s exercise needs. An appropriate wheel is one which is large enough for the animal to run with a straight back and without having to raise their heads to avoid back problems but small enough that that they can rotate easily. Exercise wheels should have a solid running surface and wheels with spokes or mesh should also be replaced, due to the risk of animal’s feet getting caught.

SPCA is concerned about the use of equipment for exercising dogs.

When exercising dogs beside a vehicle or push bike, care needs to be taken for the dog’s fitness and safety. If using exercise equipment, such as treadmills, dogs should be gradually introduced to voluntarily using the equipment using reward-based training methods. Treadmills designed for use by humans are generally not suitable for use with dogs.

Dogs should not be tethered to exercise equipment and need to be actively supervised at all times while using this equipment.

SPCA is concerned about the use of laser pointers.

Frequent use of laser pointers to play with cats, and other species, has been linked to frustration and development of abnormal repetitive behaviours such as chasing lights and shadows and obsessive staring at lights or reflections.

SPCA is concerned about the use of rodent exercise balls.

Rodents enclosed in exercise balls run in the ball which then rolls around on the floor. While enclosed in exercise balls, animals are unable to access important resources including food, water and nesting or hiding spaces. These devices may also cause stress should they collide with objects such as furniture.