New Year, New Adventures: Keeping your dog happy and healthy in 2025

As we step into the New Year, it’s not just us humans who can benefit from healthier habits, our dogs can benefit from them too! From getting outdoors more often to ensuring proper rest after exercise, your dog deserves the best support for both activity and recovery.

Fit and active dogs are less likely to suffer from arthritis, obesity and behaviour problems. Exercise is also important for:

• Weight management: Regular exercise can help prevent obesity, which can lead to serious diseases like diabetes and heart issues.
  

• Mental health: Regular exercise is important for a dog's mental health and wellbeing, and can help prevent behaviour problems.
  
  
• Physical therapy: Gentle exercise can help dogs recover from injuries or surgery by improving their muscle strength and mobility.
  
  
• Training: Incorporating training exercises like agility, obedience, and scent work can help keep your dog mentally sharp. 

At Ralph & Co, we’re passionate about helping dogs stay happy and healthy all year round. That’s why we’ve crafted a range of accessories designed to support every part of your dog’s lifestyle. 

Here’s how you can help your pet start the year on the right paw…

Step 1: Time for adventure – Getting out and about!

More time spent outside on walks paired with playtime in the garden are great New Year’s resolutions for both you and your dog. Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, strengthens muscles, and keeps your dog mentally stimulated. 

Walking regularly promotes heart and muscle health in both you and your dog, and joint stiffness is less common in people and their pets that walk frequently. But dogs thrive on variety, so don’t be afraid to mix it up a little and add some new routes into your schedule.

To make outdoor adventures easier, our durable double leather dog collars and leads are made from premium Italian leather, for a strong and sturdy lead, perfect for use in all weathers. Whether it’s a rainy walk in the park or a countryside hike, our leads and collars provide comfort and security, ensuring you and your dog can enjoy more time exploring together.

Step 2: Rest is just as important as exercise

After all that activity, your dog needs proper rest to recover properly and prevent injury. A good quality, comfortable dog bed in the car and at home are important to ensure they get the rest they need.

We recommend investing in an orthopaedic dog bed to ensure your dog completely recovers after bouts of physical activity. Our nest beds are stuffed with fibres made from recycled ocean plastics to protect your dog’s joints, reduce the risk of arthritis, and aid muscle recovery, making them an ideal option for dogs of all ages.

Choose from:

• Waterproof Country Collection – Perfect for outdoor-loving dogs who come home covered in mud.
• Contemporary Collection – Stylish, easy to clean, and machine washable for busy households.
• Classic Collection – Our signature design, now with matching blankets for added warmth and cosiness.

Step 3: Commit to a year of wellness

Staying fit isn’t just for the New Year, instead commit to make this a long term change. A little extra exercise, investing in the right gear for adventures, and a cosy, supportive place to rest can make a world of difference and help prevent health conditions later in life.

If you are concerned about over-exercising your dog, there are some low-impact activities that are ideal for older pets. For example, swimming is a low-impact exercise that can help strengthen muscles and improve their cardiovascular health. 

If you think your dog is ready for more intensity in their physical activity, consider canine sports. Canine sports includes agility, flyball, and novelty events like dock diving, and they can provide structured exercise and socialisation. Joining a club with your dog can be a great way for you both to meet new friends and stay committed and consistent in your new wellness journey.

Good luck on your journey to better health and happiness for you and and your dog today.