Exercise deprivation is a widespread welfare problem in companion dogs, contributing to obesity, behavioral problems, and chronic frustration.
Exercise deprivation is a pervasive and underrecognized welfare problem in companion dogs, contributing to the obesity epidemic while also causing behavioral and psychological harm. Dogs kept in apartments without adequate exercise develop frustration, anxiety, and destructive behaviors that owners then find unmanageable. The welfare obligation is not merely to prevent negative states but to actively provide positive experiences through physical activity, social contact, and environmental exploration. Meeting breed-appropriate exercise needs is a core component of responsible dog ownership.