Puppy Yoga Harmful to Young Pooches Finds RSPCA

Puppy yoga may sound like the ultimate soothing workout. After all, it combines one of the world’s best things (puppies) with a popular wellness workout. However, the Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty Against Animals (RSPCA) recently revealed that despite puppy yoga classes’ rising popularity, they may not be good for the puppies involved. 

Source: ITV News/YouTube

Recently seen on the social media feeds of many popular reality TV stars, puppy yoga has been growing in popularity throughout the world. These classes consist of a regular yoga workout with puppies in the room. During and after the class, yogis can interact and play with the puppies. Theoretically, it proves a double dose of relaxation. However, a recent news investigation carried out by ITV News found that many of the studios offering puppy yoga failed to meet the welfare needs of the young puppies. 

After reviewing the investigation’s findings, the RSPCA said that many of the studios’ practices are unsafe for the puppies. Puppy yoga studios may often use puppies who are not yet old enough to be separated from their mothers. Puppies should remain with their mother until they are at least eight weeks of age. However, ITV’s journalists found that some studios were using puppies as young as six and a half weeks in their classes. Puppies were also used in multiple classes each day. This means that they may not be given adequate breaks in which to eat. Up until they are eight weeks old, puppies need to eat four times a day on average. 

Further findings show that at some studios, puppies were not given adequate access to water. Studios deprived them of water so that they would not pee as frequently. Dogs, especially puppies, need to be given continuous access to fresh, cool, and clean water. They do not store water as well as humans, meaning they need to drink more frequently or risk dehydration. Additionally, dogs do not sweat like humans do. They regulate their body temperature by panting. This means access to water is even more essential since it helps them keep cool. 

Yoga classes may also be too noisy and stimulating for young puppies. While socialization is important for dogs, environments that are too loud, bright, or chaotic can be extremely stressful. These environments can have a negative effect on young puppies. Additionally, the investigation found that since many of the studios advertised puppy playtime as part of the session, the puppies were often woken up and forced to play with guests. This deprives puppies of important sleep that they need to recover and grow. Sleep deprivation is a form of torture and there is no evidence to suggest it is not equally as distressing to dogs as humans. 

Puppy yoga’s legality is questionable. Currently, there are no legal restrictions around it. It thus exists in a moral gray area. However, it is undeniable that many of the investigation’s findings show that this new wellness trend is exploitative to the puppies used. 

Sign this petition to Stop Puppy Yoga Classes!

Ahisma Tee By Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection

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