It goes without saying that the UK’s a nation of pet lovers. But there’s no doubt too that one furry household member gets us on our feet more than any other.  Which is why trundl is revolutionising the way we feel about daily dog walking.

In this blog we’ll delve into the heart of the UK’s pooch population. We’ll explore the joys, health benefits and health pitfalls of dog walking. Plus we’ll share some top tips on spring flowers to avoid and test your knowledge with some fun facts.

To begin with, dog walking can of course be great for physical health. According to a 2015 study, dog owners are more likely to meet national physical activity guidelines. Similarly, children in a dog walking home are likely to more active than their peers.

Furthermore, walking a dog outdoors contributes to improved mental health, social interaction and increased Vitamin D levels. As shown in another study, this activity can likewise even help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

With this in mind, you can see why even a short walk is better for everyone than just popping them in the garden.  Not only are they getting more exercise, so is the owner. Unquestionably an integral part of a doggy and human healthy routine.

According to UK Pet Food Association, who support responsible pet food manufacture and count our partners Oscar Pet Foods as a proud member, there are approximately 13.5 million pet dogs in the UK.  Amazingly, this represents 36% of households owning a dog.  In contrast, there are 12.5 million cats (29%) and just over 700,000 tortoises!  Neither of which, we have to admit, usually require much walking…

Did you know that certain spring flowers can be dangerous for your pets?  For example, stopping your dog from eating daffodils, tulips and spring crocuses can prevent a number of health problems. In light of this, The Kennel Club have written a great blog here that’s well worth a read.  But, before you head off, we thought we’d share some other fun facts:

Remarkably, the oldest reliably documented dog was Bluey, an Australian Cattle Dog, who lived to be 29.5 years old. Born in 1910 and passing away in 1939, there’s little doubt he saw some changes!

Generally, the Great Dane is considered to be one of the largest UK dog breeds. In contrast, The Chihuahua is recognised as one of the world’s smallest. Originally from Mexico, Chihuahuas are known for their tiny size, but often bold and confident natures. Let’s hope they don’t have the ‘good idea’ to take on a Great Dane whilst on their daily dog walk!

While we don’t know how many trundl members are daily dog walkers, we do get brilliant feedback from many of them. In short, being able to turn their everyday dog walking into charity fundraisers adds a huge feel-good factor. And there’s no doubt that having a charity target to reach makes them walk that little bit further.  One trundler commented: “I walked the dog four times in one day to help hit the final day walking target for Dogs for Autism.”  It’s no wonder you’ll often hear us rallying our dog-walking community as we near the end of a Community trundl!

So, if you’d like to know more about trundl and how we’re revolutionising the UK dog walking and charity fundraising space, please check the link below.

And if you have friends or family who’d enjoy adding social good to daily dog walking, please spread the word. As a small, privately-funded UK business, we need help growing the community so we can support even more causes.

Happy dog walking.