Health and Happiness

Dogs love walking on the Coast Path

The sights, sounds and smells of the Coast Path make it an absolute haven for our four-legged friends. It’s a great way to make sure they get the exercise they need, along with a healthy dose of mental stimulation, the chance to socialise with other dogs and the opportunity to bond with you. 

But don't just be a fair weather walker!

During the winter months, when days shorten from reduced daylight and temperatures drop, many of us will suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It’s a common condition which can make the winter months quite tough. But did you know that dogs suffer from similar symptoms?

Dogs by nature want to be outside in natural sunlight, exploring and exercising, but for a number of reasons winter makes this difficult. Many pet owners are put off walking in the dark for safety reasons, while others don’t like to get out with their dogs in the rain or much colder weather. This means our pets often have to take on a more sedentary lifestyle, with substantially reduced exposure to daylight.

A winter's walk on the Coast Path during daylight hours will do wonders to your dog's spirits, but if that's not possible - check out some top tips from our friends at Forthglade Natural Pet Food on how to combat the winter blues. 

Our friends over at Forthglade are also really interested in the unique relationship between dogs and their owners, particularly when it comes to spending time together in the great outdoors. That's why they sent Ian Finch, photographer, adventurer and lifelong dog owner on a 60-mile walk on the South West Coast Path- to document his journey, and try to better understand the relationship between dog owners, their faithful four-legged companions and how walking plays a key role in the bond between them.

To find out more about Ian's journey, visit his blog and read: 'A Wild Connection - The Relationship Between People, Dogs & Nature' https://www.ianefinch.com/blog