How to Keep Your Dog Healthy

Owners play a pivotal role in keeping their dog healthy. Since dogs depend on their owners to take care of their basic needs, it is up to you to ensure that your pup receives the support they need to live long and healthy lives. Diet and exercise are the two most important aspects to consider when keeping your dog healthy.

Diet

When it comes to how to keep your dog healthy, the most critical factor is their diet. You must ensure that your dog has an adequate intake of a diverse range of macro and micronutrients, including protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. Foods we offer at Open Farm include:

Dry Dog Food

Our nutritious dry dog food is made with high-quality ingredients, like whole salmon, vegetables and quality fat sources, to help keep your dog at its best.

Wet Dog Food

Open Farm’s healthy wet dog food contains only top-quality ingredients in a delicious stew your dog will love. Our Grass-Fed Beef Rustic Stew Wet Dog Food has pasture-raised, grass-fed, grass-finished beef produced by small family farms as well as nutrient-dense vegetables like carrots, spinach, pumpkin and green beans to give your dog a delicious and nutritious meal.

Cooked Dog Food

Our gently-cooked dog food features 100 percent human-grade ingredients, like humanely raised meats, non-GMO vegetables and superfoods. Each formula is packed with protein, long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids and a range of essential vitamins and minerals in a delicious, lightly-cooked dog food formula that is perfect for dogs of any age.

Freeze Dried Dog Food

Our high-protein freeze dried dog food includes 85 percent raw animal protein, with the remainder composed of organic fruits and vegetables. Freeze dried food is easy to store, so you can stock up on your dog’s favorites.

Exercise

While all dogs need exercise to stay healthy, the amount your dog needs will be determined by its breed. Higher-energy breeds will need daily exercise, while lower-energy breeds may only require some indoor play. There are a variety of ways to exercise your dog, including:

Fetch A good game of fetch can be an excellent exercise for your dog. You can take higher-energy breeds outside and throw a ball or toy and let them run to retrieve it or even play indoors. For lower-energy breeds, a game of fetch can be a fun way to exercise your dog.

Walks

Walks are great exercise for dogs, but there are a few things to remember. Be mindful of the surface you are walking on since we often overlook how hot concrete or pavement can get during the summer. Walking your dog on the grass can help avoid burnt paw pads and injuries. Grass also acts as a shock absorber to minimize damage to joints.

Swimming

Many dogs love to swim, which can be an excellent way to get a full-body workout without stressing their joints. This is particularly useful for dog breeds prone to hip problems, such as Huskies, Labradors, Bulldogs andRrottweilers.

Stair Climbing One great option for dog exercise during days with inclement weather is stair climbing. A few runs up and down the steps can help your dog get the exercise they need while making them more comfortable on stairs.

Tug-of-War

A game of tug-of-war can help your dog build muscle while building a bond with you. Tug-of-war is a great option for indoor exercise; just be sure to play safely. If played improperly, you can damage your dog’s teeth, gums, spine and hips.

The American Kennel Association recommends that owners keep sessions short (between 10-15 seconds) and relatively gentle, use a toy that is easy on their teeth and gums and keep the dog’s spine in neutral alignment.

Keep Your Dog Healthy With Open Farm

Open Farm’s mission is to help you keep your fur baby healthy by providing them with high-quality, nutrient-packed pet food. Our dog foods are made with premium, whole ingredients and we list their sources right on the packaging, so you can be sure your dog has the high-quality nutrition they need.