Nowadays, you have likely heard the term ‘superfood’ applied to different proteins, fruits or vegetables that we are told we should definitely include in our daily diet to achieve optimum health. As it turns out, there are foods like this that apply to dogs as well. Let’s take a look at 7 of the most nutritious superfoods for dogs.
Salmon
Spoil your precious pooch today and serve them some freshly-cooked salmon. An excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, salmon does wonders for calming down inflammation, and boosting the immune system. Another wonderful bonus is it can keep your dog’s coat looking healthy and shiny.
When feeding your dog salmon, be sure to never serve it raw, as it can contain parasites. Cook a boneless filet by grilling it, roasting it, steaming or baking it. Be sure to NOT add any oil, salt and pepper, condiments or any garlic or onions to it.
Blueberries
Feed your dog blueberries and he or she is likely to find them truly delicious! Low in calories, blueberries are high in fiber and vitamin C. They also contain phytochemicals, which are known for their natural ability to ward off cancer in humans. In addition to this, the antioxidants in blueberries help to fight off free radicals which are known to cause cellular damage.
You can choose to give your dog fresh or frozen blueberries. They should be given to your dog in moderation, as they should be seen as a treat, not as a meal. Be sure to wash them thoroughly before giving them to your dog to get rid of any traces of pesticides or dirt.
Pumpkin
More than just a festive ingredient, pumpkin is an excellent superfood for your dog. However, it should be noted that when giving your dog pumpkin, don’t give them pumpkin pie filling. Plain, canned pumpkin will do just fine. You can give a couple of teaspoons a day for little pups or a couple of tablespoons a day for your bigger dogs.
What exactly does pumpkin do for your dog? Pumpkin is excellent for relieving both diarrhea and constipation. Rich in fiber, pumpkin also contains vitamins A, E and C as well as potassium and iron.
Coconut Oil
You may have heard the buzz around coconut oil for dogs, as the use of it is increasing in popularity. There are many benefits to giving this superfood to your canine. According to its advocates, when taken internally, coconut oil:
- Enhances digestion and the absorption of nutrients
- Treats yeast and fungal infections
- Encourages normal thyroid function
- Brings the body’s metabolism and hormones into balance
- Renews the skin
According to Whole Dog Journal, the ideal amount of coconut oil to give to your dog is about 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight daily. However, to begin, they recommend starting out slowly with only ¼ teaspoon per day for small dogs and 1 teaspoon for larger dogs.
Eggs
Next time you are cooking up a nice breakfast for your family, why not cook up a few eggs for Fido as well? It turns out that eggs are another excellent food to feed your dog. High in protein, eggs are packed full of essential amino acids and fatty acids.
As you may have guessed, no giving your dog raw eggs, as they can contract salmonella poisoning. Cook or boil the eggs and you are good to go. Eggs even have the ability to calm a dog’s upset tummy. In regards to how many eggs you should be feeding your dog, it would be a good idea to get advice from your vet on that subject, as it can depend largely on your dog’s ideal daily calorie intake.
Apples
Giving your dog apples is a great way to provide them with a high dose of vitamin C, fiber, calcium and phosphorus. Another plus is that the apples taste nice and sweet to them, so they are sure to enjoy them as a tasty treat. The crunchy texture of apples also helps to clean your dog’s teeth.
When giving apples to your dog, be sure to cut the apple into small pieces, and remove the core and seeds completely. Avoid giving your dog too many apples because it could cause them to get a tummy ache or diarrhea.
Cranberries
Another holiday favorite, cranberries are a popular food that many people wonder if they are safe to give to their dogs. The answer is yes, in moderation. They can be given to your dog raw, dried or cooked. The important thing is that you steer clear of adding any type of sugar or artificial sweetener to them. Packed with fiber and antioxidants, cranberries give your dog a powerful health boost.
And there we have it! I’m sure that if your dog could talk, he would agree that getting healthy has never tasted so good.
Lesly Glover
Her experience as a veterinarian stretching back more than fifteen years, Lesly Glover has spent ten years of clinical practice as an equine veterinarian and companion animal practitioner.She has also done work as a regulatory veterinarian for the government, giving her a unique and useful perspective of the policies that affect animals and animal owners’ day-to-day lives. An avid writer, she specializes in formal educational pieces and casual blog posts alike, and she has done guest spots on many animal-related podcasts.
