Superfoods for Dogs

A superfood is one that contains certain key nutrients which have health benefits way beyond their nutritional benefits. These nutrients are known as ‘health nutrients’ or nutraceuticals.

One of the most beneficial types of health nutrients are antioxidants and foods that are particularly high in antioxidants are often referred to as a “superfoods” or “functional foods.” These key nutrients include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene and selenium.

We hear about antioxidants a lot but why are they so beneficial?

Their benefits are many; they can help prevent disease before it starts, slow down the ageing process and delay the progression of disease as well as support a healthy immune system. All of these things are exactly what we would want for our canine companions to help them live long and healthy lives.

The best sources of antioxidants are plant-based foods, especially fruits and vegetables so let’s take a look at how we can bring the power of antioxidants into our dogs lives with the foods we choose for them.

Always think ‘food first’ rather than reaching for the supplements, unless if course you have been advised by your Vet to include a specific supplements to meet an individual need for a condition like osteoarthritis. Generally speaking though, ‘food first’ is the mantra when it comes to antioxidants and the foods that can bring them into our dogs daily life are the superfoods.

Berry fruits

Berries are rich in anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid, which have been shown to reduce cancer cell proliferation and inhibit tumour formation. It’s the anthocyanins which give blueberries their purple colour. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and cranberries are excellent sources for dogs.

The action of licking is very calming for dogs so the addition of some pureed berries to some low fat yogurt or soft cheese can be a great option to add to a lick mat. A healthy option with no additives just antioxidants!

Carrots

Carrots are rich in beta carotene which is the yellow pigment that gives them their colour. Beta carotene, like all carotenoids, is an antioxidant. Carrots are so easy to add to the dogs diet – just buy them frozen in cubes and cook lightly to mix a small portion into their dinner, mix into their kibble and place in a Kong or offer as a treat.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are also rich in beta carotene and one of their other benefits is that they are a source of soluble fibre. These soluble fibres have a prebiotic effect in the gut where they are fermented by the gut bacteria creating compounds called short-chain fatty acids. These compounds nourish the good bacteria in the gut and help them to flourish to keep the immune system healthy.

Green leafy vegetables

Vegetables like cabbage, spring greens and kale have phytochemicals including lutein as well as vitamins C and E all of which have antioxidant properties. If you are having any of these with your own meal, put some aside and process them down so that a small portion can be added to the dog’s meal every now and again.

Turmeric (curcumin)

Curcumin is the biologically active compound found in turmeric and has been shown to contain a mixture of powerful phytochemicals which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. There is some evidence that it may be effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs although more research is needed in this area.

Many people have turmeric as Golden Paste and dogs can have it too – you can buy it or make yourself. If you’d like to make it, try organic turmeric powder as it contains more of the active ingredient curcumin. Mix one part turmeric to 2 parts water. Curcumin is poorly absorbed across the gut wall and rapidly cleared from the blood so it needs to be given with oil (try coconut oil) and black pepper to maximise its absorption.

Just be careful if you have a white dog as turmeric will give them an orange/yellow muzzle!

Oily fish

The omega-3 found in oily fish like salmon, herring and sardines has many health benefits which include healthy brain function, healthy skin and coat and healthy joint function due to its powerful anti-inflammatory effect. So omega-3 can be great for puppies right through to seniors and like us, dogs could see the benefit from two portions of oily fish each week. Two small cans of sardines each week is a really easy and economical way to add some omega-3 at any age, dogs will spend ages licking them from a lack mat!

So to summarise…

Adding in a few of these foods can be really simple, especially since frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh (in some cases, even better as they are frozen as soon as they are picked which retains all the nutrients) and we don’t need to give them in large amounts – just a small portion here and there is enough. Simply bring out a small portion from the freezer the night before, or early morning ready to add as and when or cook a little extra for your own meals and add them in to the dogs food in a form that you know they will enjoy.

Enjoy x