We all want to make sure our furry kids have the best possible life and we certainly know how important their diets are for their optimal health. First let’s look at some familiar super foods we’ve all heard about. I’m going to talk about why they are useful, and how your dog may gain health benefits by including them in his diet. And we’ll also make sure we know enough to gain the most beneficial effects and if there are any precautions at all in any of these ingredients. Then I’ll show you the best ways to incorporate them in the feeding schedule by bringing you a list of different types of dog food that incorporate these super foods in their ingredients.
Although these foods are usually safe to eat you should always consult with your veterinarian to make sure you have the right amounts and dosages appropriate for your dog's own unique nutritional needs.
(Please note: Clicking on the highlighted words will take you to some examples of dog foods and supplements that are in this article.)
- Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for your convenience which means that I will receive a small commission from your purchase at no cost to you. I just want to thank you for any support to our site because it all helps to fund for the care of my rescue animals.
Here are the 5 Superfoods
Chia Seeds
Fish oils
Blueberries
Pumpkin
Kale
Chia Seeds Benefits
What are Chia seeds? These tiny seeds grow in the desert of Central America and come from a plant called Salvia Hispanica, They are believed to have been a staple for ancient Aztec civilizations. Chia has become the popular common name for it nowadays. Hence we call the seeds, Chia seeds. These tiny seeds are best known for the Omega-3 fatty acids they can provide. But they are also rich in dietary fiber as well as protein and minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc.
Chia seeds can be eaten raw, cooked or hydrated. For our purposes it is best for them to be incorporated into the dog food after they’ve been hydrated. They’ve been known to cause trouble when eaten raw especially if the animal swallows too many at a time and they lodge in his throat. They will begin to swell with the moisture and could be quite dangerous. DO NOT give your pup dry Chia Seeds!
But when hydrated and cooked these tiny little black pearl-like seeds are perfectly safe and truly beneficial for your fur kid. The benefits are plentiful so let’s take a look.
Chia seeds have:
- High fiber content which is essential for proper digestion and elimination of waste. Fiber enables the intestinal tract to work more efficiently in proper nutrient absorption as well.
- Yet another benefit is a reduction of inflammation due to the Omega-3 Fatty Acid. For dogs with osteoarthritis this will help them have increased joint flexibility and allows them to exercise with less pain and stiffness.
- Chia seeds are loaded with calcium! Who knew? That’s what makes them an ideal super food for maintaining healthy bones. The bigger dog breeds who suffer from hip dysplasia or spinal issues will certainly benefit from this source of calcium.
- Interestingly Chia seeds are able to hold 12 times their weight in water. This allows them to satisfy your dog’s hunger for a longer period of time and helps maintain your dog’s ideal weight.
- Chia seeds are ideal for assisting in proper insulin function. This is an essential health issue regardless of whether your dog has diabetes or not. With regulated insulin levels your dog will feel better and have a better chance of not developing diabetes in the first place.
Fish Oil Benefits
- Interestingly fish oil has very similar benefits to our beloved Chia seeds but in addition they can support healthy skin, coat, kidneys, and immune system in dogs.
- Fish oils can help ease inflammation associated with allergies such as itchy skin, hot spots, and even canine dermatitis.
- DHA is one of the essential omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils that are very important for the development of puppy’s eyes and brain and when given to a pregnant mother it will help ensure their proper development.
Blueberry Benefits
- Blueberries are packed full of healthy nutrients. Just 148 grams or 1 cup contains:
- Vitamin K – 32% Daily Value
- Manganese – 25% DV
- Vitamin C – 19% DV
- Dietary Fiber – 3.6 grams
- Vitamin B6 – 5% DV
- Sugar – 15 grams
- Copper 9 % DV
- 85 Calories
- These juicy little berries are full of antioxidants thus preventing free radical damage and may even help prevent cancer in dogs.
- Blueberries are known for lowering LDL cholesterol levels in a natural way and research has found it is also effective at lowering blood pressure. This combo of benefits makes it ideal for promoting a healthy circulatory system and a strong heart.
- They are considered a low calorie food and also high in fiber which makes it a good candidate for a weight management supplement. When given in moderation they will be a great alternative snack. Make sure it is a small snack as the high fiber content can cause intestinal issues and in large amounts it becomes a sugary snack which isn’t really healthy.
- Blueberries are a good source of vitamin K which acts to improve the density of your dog’s bones and really helps an older dog, a working dog or a dog that’s very active.
- Blueberries contain a high amount of phenol (gallic acid), which acts as a neuroprotective so adding it to the diet of an older dog would be quite beneficial.
Pumpkin Benefits
One cup of cooked pumpkin contains just 49 calories and is loaded with rich vitamins and minerals. It’s got tons of Vitamin A (beta carotene), and lots of potassium which helps regulate blood pressure, improves muscle health, as well as assists in metabolism. In addition it also has small amount s of Vitamin C, Iron, Phosphorus, Magnesium, and Folate.
- Vitamin A is essential for good eye health in your dog and even helps to prevent night blindness and other degenerative eye diseases.
- The Vitamin C found in pumpkin acts as an antioxidant and when paired with Vitamin A and E this powerful combination may even help prevent certain cancers from forming.
- By far the most popular benefit of pumpkin has been as a digestive aid. It has a high fiber content as well as great hydrating properties. This makes it an ideal candidate for balancing the intestinal ratio for fiber and moisture to keep this running smoothly. If your pup is constipated or has diarrhea cooked pumpkin is a good superfood supplement to add to his daily meal.
Kale Benefits
- You wouldn’t know it by looking at it but Kale is rich in beta carotene which is typically found in orange vegetables but Kale covers it up with its beautiful dark green chlorophyll. Suffice to say it is loaded with Vitamin A much like carrots. It brings just as many health benefits too.
- Kale also offers a high content of Vitamin C which is yet another powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C is known for its immune boosting ability and also as an anti-inflammatory which helps dogs with allergies or weak immune systems.
- Another benefit in this superfood is the ability to help dogs maintain strong healthy bones due to the amount of Vitamn K and Calcium found in Kale. When Kale is added to your dog’s meals it has the ability to provide many wonderful health benefits.
Our 5 Great Superfoods
Chia Seeds, Fish Oils, Blueberries, Pumpkin and Kale are all excellent choices when looking for the types of supplements you’d like to incorporate into your dog’s diet. You can choose to prepare these superfood additions at home or you can purchase meal plans, canned foods, dry food or treats that already have these supplements in them.
Below I have picked out some really lovely choices for your convenience. I’m sure your pup will appreciate trying something new and different and you’ll feel better knowing you chose to give her a healthy alternative.
I'd love to hear from you and see a pic of your wonderful fur kid. You can leave a comment below as well.
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