The Scoop on Superfoods Organic Additions to Your Dog s Diet
9 Superfoods for Dogs That Improve Their Health (According to Science)
Although they have been around for millennia, the concept of superfoods has only entered the mainstream discussion within the last two decades. People refer to these food sources as super because they are nutritiously dense. Superfoods for dogscan add a lot of extra nutrition to their diet.
I've scoured scientific journals to find studies and hard evidence on which human foods have proven to be healthy and nutritious for your pet, and found nine superfoods for dogs that not only are safe to eat, but are highly recommended in your canine's diet. You can find all links to medical journals under each superfood mentioned below.
These highly nutritious foods are packed with all sorts of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids. Some of them are of the exotic variety such as acai and goji berries, while others like kale can be grown in your own backyard.
Believe it or not, canines have their own subset of superfoods that are even more beneficial to them than they are for humans. The best part is that you can find superfoods for dogs in the aisles of your own grocery store, or your vegetable garden.
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9 Superfoods for Dogs They Should Eataccording to science
1 Kale
Leafy green and slightly bitter, kale is a superfood for dogs as much as it is to humans. Abundant in vitamins A, C, and E, it is an excellent source of antioxidants and aids the liver in the detoxification of the body. Kale is low in calories as well, which means that you dont have to worry about bloating or weight gain when fed to your dog whether it be raw, lightly cooked or dried.
Like turnips, broccoli, cauliflower and other members of the brassica family, kale is high in beta carotene. For those interested in breeding canines, there is evidence to suggest that including beta carotenoids in a dogs diet may improve its reproductive functions.
Who knew that a vegetable that for so long people have looked at as a bitter, mundane food with an almost leathery leaf can improve the lives of humans and dogs so much? Not only that, but it looks like it can be a boon to producing future generations as well.
2 Carrots
The virtues of eating carrots has been known to humans ever since it was forced into the collective consciousness that consuming carrots was good for eyesight. While there is much debate as to the veracity of this claim, one thing is for sure; it is undoubtedly a superfood for dogs.
Low in saturated fats and cholesterol, carrots are excellent sources of niacin, thiamin, B-vitamins, folate and manganese. High in fiber, potassium, and vitamins A, C and K. These orange hued roots are packed with nutrients and minerals! The only word of caution surrounding carrots is to make sure to not overfeed your dog with them, as they are also high in sugars that can lead to excessive weight gain and/or metabolic disorders.
It has been observed that including carrots in a dogs diet may have a significant impact on their digestive system. It seems that carrots stimulate additional activity from gut flora, which resulted in a decrease in the acidity of feces while increasing the amount of volatile fatty acids excreted. This means that carrots promote a healthier colon and gut environment and an improvement in the overall digestive process.
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3 Pumpkin
No longer reserved for Charlie Brown and Halloween, pumpkins have recently seen a resurgence in popularity after being named a superfood for dogs and humans. Due to its status in pop culture, the pumpkin has long gone unnoticed in terms of the health benefits it brings to the table.
Considered a superfood not just because it is low in saturated fats and contains almost zero cholesterol or sodium, pumpkins are also loaded with vitamins A, C and E (also known as Alpha Tocopherols which are excellent for the coats of most dogs).
They are also high in thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, riboflavin, potassium, copper, manganese and dietary fiber.
No wonder pumpkins are so large, theyre full of vitamins, minerals and essential trace elements! Pumpkin seeds are also extremely beneficial to dogs.
Adding pumpkin to your dogs diet has been shown to improve overall satiety. Furthermore, it has been shown to be effective in the safe decrease of body fat and weight. This is likely due to pumpkins high fiber and carnitine content, which has a direct effect of lipid metabolism in the body.
4 Sweet Potatoes
Much like kale, sweet potatoes hide a rich deposit of beta carotenes within the orange flesh. However, it is because of the ridiculous quantities of vitamin A stored within that it is deemed a superfood for dogs. It is estimated that within an average 3.5-ounce sweet potato, lies enough vitamin A to fulfill anywhere between 35% 90% of a persons suggested daily intake.
To further bolster its superfood status, sweet potato also contains a significant amount of anthocyanin and antioxidants. In combination, these two factors aid in decreasing oxidative damage caused by aging and in the decrease in the likelihood of disease development; such as cancer. Unsurprisingly, sweet potatoes are also high in dietary fiber, which aids greatly in the metabolic and digestive processes.
5 Fish
This should come as no surprise. For decades now fish, and the omega-3 fatty acids contained within them, have been highly touted not only as superfoods for dogs, but also as essential foods for a healthy canine life. Yes, some caution needs to be taken when it comes to fish as contaminants (like dioxin) and heavy metals (like mercury) do tend to get locked into its adipose tissue.
However, with proper sourcing and preparation of fish and fish oils and moderating its intake, the risk to exposure of contaminants and heavy metals can be significantly reduced.
The payoff comes in the form of reduced risk in coronary diseases, reduction in mild hypertension and preventing, to an extent, cardiac arrhythmias. In canines, the inclusion of fish and fish oil in the diets of dogs suffering from osteoarthritis has shown an increase not only in their mobility, but also in their overall ability to bear their own weight.
Another study, which introduced fish oils to the diets of dogs suffering from lymphoma, showed an increase in the amount of time in which a dog was shown to be disease free. The research also shows the dog's overall length of survival compared to those subjects which were not fed fish oils.
6 Seaweed
At first glance, it is almost laughable to think that a dog can benefit from anything belonging to the sea, other than fish of course. But think of it instead as the oceanic version of kale. It is difficult to find a more nutrient-dense leafy green anywhere else on the face of the planet, both on land and below the waves.
It is rich in vitamins A and B-12, as well as iodine (which is surprisingly difficult to come by in most foods). However, it is the fiber contained within seaweed that really sets it apart. Unlike the majority of other superfoods mentioned on this list, seaweed contains what is known as soluble fiber.
This particular brand of fiber actually slows down the digestive process and inhibits the uptake of sugars and cholesterol. In a study performed on dogs with bone fractures, seaweed or rather its refined and milled version, seaweed flour, was supplemented into the diets of a number of the dogs. After 30 days it was observed that the dogs consuming the seaweed flour displayed elevated bone healing than the control group.
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7 Chia Seeds
Containing three times the amount of omega-3 fatty acids than salmon, chia seeds have been a staple in the diet of ancient Mesoamericans from times long ago where it was considered magical due to the benefits it brought to those who consumed it. As little as two tablespoons of chia seeds provides a 3 to 1 ratio of omega-3s to omega-6s.
In dogs, this has been shown to improve overall cell health, immunity, skin and coat, joint health and mobility, brain development and cognition, sight development and maintenance, and physical growth.
8 Yogurt and Probiotics
While it may be uncommon, maybe even counter-intuitive, to give your dog yogurt. But it makes more sense when you consider things from a gut microbiome perspective. A very recent study that we've discussed before showed how most pet owners ignore their dogs' gut microbiome, and how many benefits they can reap simply by paying a little more attention to it.
Think on the majority of food that the modern house dog eats.More often than not it comes from a bag, which came from a store, which came from some sort of processing line.While the ingredients may be of high quality sources, they are not what you would call fully natural, for in nature food sources are exposed to all sorts of microbiological lifeforms, bacteria, which serve to further enrich the food. By reintroducing these bacteria into the guts of dogs, their overall health should increase.
Indeed, a study in which dogs suffering from diarrhea were given fermented milk (yogurt), which contained Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilics. As a result, diarrhea events were reduced by 75% almost immediately. This demonstrates the positive effects that probiotics for dogs can have on your canine's gut health.
9 Blueberries
We've previously written and analyzed all the scientific data regarding blueberries for dogs, and found a ton of studies that show how beneficial this berry is for canines.
Known across the board as a powerful antioxidant, this small yet powerful superfood has been shown to reduce the oxidative damage inflicted by strenuous exercise in dogs.
The study was performed on sled dogs who are not unfamiliar with hours of running while towing a load and showed, through blood markers, a significant decrease of free radicals floating around in their system when fed a controlled diet of blueberries.
Anything else?
While the above nine superfoods for dogs have ranked the highest in terms of nutrition, there are a lot of other human foods that dogs can eat which have also been studied and proven to be beneficial to dogs.
Here are just a few more:
Not all human food is bad for dogs, and picking items that have been proven in studies to benefit dogs may be a smart idea. Feed them raw or cooked to your dog, give them as a snack or add them into your pet's favorite homemade dog food dish.
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11 Best Superfoods for Dogs That May Improve Their Health
Many people enhance their diet by including superfoods in their everyday meals. It's a great way to improve your overall nutrition and general health. But did you know that your dog can benefit from superfoods as well?
There are plenty of great, nutritionally packed foods you can use to supplement your dog's daily intake, whether they eat home cooked meals or commercial dog food diet. The extra vitamins and minerals provided by these foods give your pup a necessaryboost, and can help him stay healthier and happier longer.
What are superfoods?
A superfood can be considered any type offood item that has a larger amount and a greater variety of useful nutrients, while having a small serving size and low amount of calories with no harmful stuff. All superfoods are generally good and safe to eat.
There is no scientific or legal definition for whatsuperfood really is, but most people consider any food packed with higher quantities of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to be a superfood in the diet, therefore, it's more of a marketing term than anything else.
Most superfoods for dogs are the same ones often recommend to people, with a few exceptions (those that may not be healthy or even toxic to dogs). Quantities of these superfoods for dogs should also be smaller when compared to a human diet.
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11 Best Superfoods for Dogs That May Improve Their Health
1. Blueberries
Believe it or not, dogs love berries! Many will eat them as a treat on their own. Available in fresh or frozen forms, blueberries contain vitamins C and E, manganese, and fiber. They also have tons of healthy antioxidants.
Blueberriesare a great choice for energetic, active pups. Just be aware that dogs should not eat too many blueberries at once this can cause some digestive upset (aka, diarrhea). Introduce them slowly to your pet's diet, just like you would with a baby or child.
2. Carrots
Carrots may seem like a standard vegetable to you, but they are a great nutritional boost for your pet. Carrots are especially great because most dogs love them, and will eat them as a plain treat! These veggies are full of potassium, carotenoids, fiber, magnesium, manganese, and vitamins B, C, and K.
Carrots are great for giving your dog a boost of energy! They also can help retain your pet's eye health. As an added bonus, they are nice and crunchy, meaning they help keep your dog's teeth cleaner.
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3. Chia
Chia seeds have become very popular recently. They are known for their excellent quantities of fiber, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants.
Chia seeds are expensive, but you don't need a lot for your pet to reap the benefits. They're also very easy to serve just sprinkle some over your dog's dry kibble.
4. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a superfood that is great for improving your pup's energy levels. This is thanks to the healthy medium chain triglycerices in the oil.
These MCTs also make coconut oil wonderful for the health of your pet's skin and coat. It's good for you too!
READ MORE:12 Health Benefits of Coconut Oil for Dogs
5. Fish
Fish is a main protein that is an excellent source of nutrients for your dog. Fish like herring, salmon, and anchovies have lots of good omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which is great for skin and fur condition.
These fatty acids can also help dogs with chronic conditions, like arthritis, find some relief from their pain. It's also great for pets with skin irritation or allergies. The fatty acids can help reduce scratching and heal open wounds.
6. Kale
Kale is super popular among people as a superfood, and it's great for your pet too. Kale is very low-calorie, making it a nutritious choice for overweight or obese pets. It's packed with vitamins A, C, and E.
It also has plenty of antioxidants that help with inflammation in the body. Kale can be served raw or cooked. If you make homemade dog treats, it's a great addition.
7. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a popular ingredient in dog foods and treats. This is partly due to its easy digestibility. In addition to being a good choice for your pup's stomach, pumpkin has lots of healthy fiber, potassium, carotenoids, and vitamin C.
If your dog is feeling sick, pumpkin is a great way to get him some extra nutrition while not upsetting his stomach. Look for canned organic plain pureed pumpkin; avoid pie filling types as they have a lot of additives and sugar.
8. Quinoa
Grains are an important part of your dog's diet, but wheat and corn are not the best options. Quinoa is a good replacement, and it can be found in some dog foods or easily added to your pet's diet.
The best part about this grain is that it is also a complete protein, containing all 8 essential amino acids. This is great for your pet's overall health. The fiber makes it easily digestible, too.
FURTHER READING:10 Best Natural Homemade Raw Dog Food Recipes
9. Seaweed
Seaweed may not seem very appetizing to some people, but it's an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. There are many different types of seaweed available for the most convenient option, get some that is already crumbled so you can sprinkle it on your dog's food.
Seaweeds have all kinds of vitamins, including B, C, and E, and minerals like zinc and copper. It can also help boost your dog's immune function.
10. Sweet Potato
Sweet potato, like pumpkin, is great for sensitive stomachs. In addition to some fiber, these tubers also have lots of beta-carotene, antioxidants, and vitamin A and C for immune health.
Plain sweet potatoes are easy to cook up for your pup at home, or you can buy plain pureed sweet potato in cans for an easy addition to kibble. You can also dehydrate sweet potato slices for an easy, healthy snack!
11. Yogurt
Yogurt isn't usually considered a superfood by most people, but thanks to the high amount of protein, healthy fats, and probiotics, it definitely should be!
It's great for digestion. In the summer months, freeze some dog-friendly yogurt for a special treat that has plenty of calcium, B12, potassium, and more.
Superfoods are a great way to boost a dog's nutrition, and it doesn't have to be difficult to add these foods to their diet. In addition to these options, there are lots of other superfoods available.
Look for dog foods and treats that already contain these nutritious ingredients, or simply pick up a little extra food for your pup on your next grocery trip. You'll notice your dog might start feeling better, looking healthier, and have more energy!
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