LA Dog Owners Feel Guilty For Skipping Walks

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – When my dog wants a walk, she sits on the doormat patiently wagging her tail, giving me the "puppy eyes." If it takes me too long to get up, she'll tap the front door with her nose and make a whining noise that I can only compare to a toddler tantrum.

Yes, sometimes I don't feel like taking her for a walk. It's been a long day, I'll tell her. I didn't sleep well last night. I reason with my dog like she'll understand the complexities of being human. Minutes later, I'm trudging along behind her as she prances her way to the park.

On the days I don't feel like walking my dog, I'll admit it: I feel guilty. But it turns out I'm not alone. According to Rover.com's Dog Walking Report, 66% of Los Angeles dog owners say they feel guilty for missing a walk. Work is the biggest reason for skipping out – 35% of LA dog owners blame their job for denying their dog a daily walk.

In a survey of over 1,500 Americans, Rover.com found that 79% of pet parents believe they should be walking their dog at least twice a day, but only 38% said their dog gets walked once per day or less. You may want to grab for the leash more often, because survey results show the effects of dog walking can be beneficial to both humans and their furry friends.

When pet parents walk their dogs, 70% say their dog is happier, 46% say they're more energetic, and 41% say they're calmer. As for humans, 93% of those surveyed said they believe one of the best ways to destress is by taking their dog for a walk.

Do you feel warm and fuzzy when someone compliments your pet? A whopping 74% of dog owners said that the feeling they get when they hear a compliment about their dog is better than eating chocolate or candy; 64% of dog owners said a compliment is better than going on a shopping spree; and 61% said it's better than pizza.

To check out the full results of the survey, see the blog post here. To schedule a dog walker or dog sitter, visit Rover.com.

Image via Christina Lola/Shutterstock