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Originally Posted On: https://chocolatelabradorretriever.ca/superfoods-to-add-to-your-dogs-kibble-to-promote-health-and-fight-cancer-for-a-longer-life/
With the rising concern of pet health, many dog owners are looking for ways to improve their pup’s diet. In this article, we’ll tackle the question of what superfoods can be added to kibble in order to provide optimal pet health and disease prevention. Learn how different ingredients can help your pup stay healthy and active!
Introduction
As more and more people learn about the benefits of superfoods for their own health, they are also becoming interested in feeding these nutrient-rich foods to their dogs. Superfoods are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients that can boost your dog’s health and help prevent disease.
While you can find many commercial dog foods that now include superfoods in their ingredients, you can also easily add these nutrient-rich foods to your dog’s kibble at home. Just a few simple additions to your dog’s diet can make a big difference in his overall health. Adding just a bit of these foods (10%) to your dog’s meal has been shown to have a large effect on their health. Raw, and dehydrated raw foods retain more nutritional value as they aren’t cooked in a high heat.
Some of the best superfoods for dogs include:
Vitamin C
- Guava
- Green leafy veggies
- Kiwi
- Broccoli
- Green Peppers
- Strawberries
Vitamin E
- Nuts and Seeds (not macadamia nuts)
Lycopene
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
Vitamin A
- Grass fed liver
Flavonoids/polyphenols
- Berries (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries)
- Cooled, decaffeinated green tea (must have 0 caffeine)
Carotenoids
- Sweet Potato
- Apricot
- Broccoli
- Cantaloupe
- Carrots
- Peaches
- Squash
- Tomatoes
Lutein
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Kale
Selenium
- Raw or dehydrated Chicken
- Brazil nuts
- Raw or dehydrated Beef
- Eggs including the shell membrane
- Fish
Vitamin C, how does it help with health?
Vitamin C scavenges potentially harmful free radicals in the body which helps reduce inflammation and aging of the brain. Dogs can synthesize vitamin C on their own unlike humans, but sometimes supplementing can offer health benefits.
Vitamin E how does it help?
Vitamin E is one of your dog’s defenses against oxidative damage. Oxidative stress happens when there is an imbalance between free radical formation and the ability of the cells to clear them. This fat-soluble vitamin is also essential for cell function and fat metabolism. Deficiencies in vitamin E can lead to eye and muscle degeneration among others.
Lycopene, what is this?
Lycopene is an antioxidant which protects against several types of cancer, heart disease and also protects the skin against the damaging sun’s rays.
Vitamin A, why is this important?
Vitamin A supports your dog’s immune response, bone growth, vision, and cellular differentiation (cellular differentiation is the process where immature cells take on specific characteristics and reach their specialized (mature) function).
Flavonoids/polyphenols, what are these?
Flavonoids and polyphenols have many benefits including anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties.
Carotenoids
Carotenoids lower the risk of cancer while promoting eye health.
Lutein
Lutein is a carotenoid that promotes eye health.
Selenium
Selenium is an antioxidant that promotes thyroid health and dna synthesis.
Why are antioxidants important?
Antioxidants neutralize the effects of chronic inflammation, a cause for many common issues with dogs.
Two other health powerhouses are bone broth and goat Kefir.
Bone broth – The collagen helps build new connective tissue around your dog’s skin and fur, glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid help cushion joints, glycine helps to decrease inflammation and build new tissue in the digestive tract, you will also find calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and glutamine which are required for immune function.
Fermented goat kefir – is an excellent source of probiotics for your dog that promote gut health, fight inflammation and promote health. Gut health plays a very big role in preventing allergies and intolerances in your dog and goat kefir especially is easily digested. No sugar Greek yogurt can also be used the same way, however the goat milk is more easily digested.
How do I add these foods to my dog’s kibble?
We rotate through these foods and try to get all of them in within a week. Different foods are given on different days. On some weeks, we may give one of them more than another, and on other weeks change it up. It’s important that you don’t over feed your dog and shoot for just 10% of your dog’s feeding to be these foods.
Conclusion
Superfoods can be a great addition to your dog’s kibble, providing them with essential nutrients and vitamins. The key is finding the right balance of superfoods that will provide optimal health benefits for your pup. Keep in mind that not all food sources are created equal, so it’s important to consult with your veterinarian before making any drastic changes to their diet. With proper research and guidance from an experienced vet, you’ll be sure to find the perfect combination of superfoods for your pup!
