Superfoods for Dogs: What you Need to Know

Superfoods for dogs are foods that are heavy hitters when it comes to the nutritional qualities they can provide your pooch. Doggy superfoods will help with their overall health, give their immune system support or provide extra energy they need in their busy lives.

Some of the best superfoods for dogs include:

Many berries are as healthy for your pup as they are for us. For example, blueberries are full of antioxidants, fibre and phytochemicals that help to support your dog’s immune system, while also providing some extra energy.

For their small size, eggs are considered a doggy superfood as a great way to increase the overall protein content of a diet. The average medium egg contains around six grams of protein. Additionally, they are easily digestible and contain amino and fatty acids, meaning their coats, teeth and gums will also benefit from this superfood.

Kefir is another dietary addition that a lot of owners are introducing. Unless your dog is sensitive to lactose, this fermented milk drink can be fed in small amounts to offer big benefits. It contains probiotics that introduce friendly bacteria into their digestive system, helping to improve their gut health and can reduce digestive issues, as well as helping with skin allergies and coat health.

There can be some quite big differences between what is considered a superfood for us and our pets. Some foods that are beneficial to us can be dangerous for dogs, so be careful not to feed them anything they shouldn’t eat.

Avocados are an excellent example of a human superfood that cannot be fed to dogs. Full of vitamins, minerals, fibre and healthy fats, they’re a great addition to the human diet. However, they contain persin, which is toxic to dogs, so you should avoid feeding them to your pets.

Superfoods are good for dogs because they allow you to pack even more nutrients into their diet. They usually contain vitamins and minerals that may not be as readily available in commercial dog foods. While shop-bought food is often balanced and very nutritionally adequate for your pup, some may require additional nutrients.

Your pooch may love their food and thrive on it, but you might notice that their coat is a little dull or, as they’re getting older, their joints aren’t as flexible as they used to be. Superfoods can help to incorporate more oils, vitamins and minerals into their diet to keep your pooch as healthy as possible.

There are lots of ways for you to give your pup the benefits of superfoods in their diet. For starters, you can find commercial foods that are made using them to boost their nutritional value. Brands like James Wellbeloved add ingredients like kale and quinoa to their foods, like their Superfoods Adult Turkey with Kale & Quinoa. If your dog is fed raw, you can buy products like Natures Menu Country Hunter Raw Superfood Nuggets Turkey & Goose that contain superfoods for extra nutritional value.

Aside from their meals, you can feed treats like Danzel’s Squishy Superfood Bites to incorporate healthy additions into your puppy’s day.

Alternatively, you can add supplements to your pet’s daily diet to give them all the benefits of superfoods without changing their meals. Salmon oil, like the Brilliant Salmon Oil, is a popular choice. It’s easy to use, as you can just add it on top of biscuits or wet food, it tastes good and it’s full of antioxidants and essential fatty acids, which can help to improve their skin, keep their joints supple and soften their paws.

Arguably, the easiest way to introduce superfoods into your dog’s diet is to find readily available options like blueberries, eggs, carrots and pumpkin, which you may even have at home! Just make sure you look up the quantities to add based on the body weight of your fluffy friend.

Superfoods are a healthy addition to your dog’s diet and can easily be added with commercial foods you can buy off the shelf, treats and things you might have around the house that you just never knew were packed with goodness. If you’re looking to improve your pooch’s nutrition, take a look at our wide range of dog food and treats available today, to find the perfect one for your pet.