People look to fill their diets with highly nutritious foods full of minerals, vitamins, essential amino acids, and antioxidants. Everything from kale to various exotic berries are added to the daily menu to promote health and fitness. Your dog can also benefit from these “superfoods.” The best source of nutrition for your pet is not always some store-bought, processed dog food. Most are found in your supermarket or your garden. The Atlanta dog sitting company Critter Sitters provides some information regarding what “superfoods” are available for your dog.
Natural Food Versus Processed Dog Food
A healthy diet consists of a balance of vitamins, nutrients, sugars, and carbohydrates. Everyone agrees that it is better to obtain these vital sources from vegetables and fruits rather than processed foods. Your dog also benefits from natural foods rather than processed, incomplete, and unnatural dog food.
Often, a dog’s digestive system will struggle when digesting processed foods. While processed dog food may contain some natural ingredients, they are coupled with a host of chemical ingredients that hold the food together and keep it fresh. In some cases, processed foods contain toxins that slowly accumulate inside your pet’s system.
The Best Superfoods for Dogs
Not unlike yourself, the best way to provide your dog with a healthy superdiet is through what nature offers.
Kale
Kale is almost a universal “superfood.” Yes, this bitter and leafy green vegetable is good for your pup. The reasons it is good for us humans, lots of vitamin A, C, E, and a source of antioxidants, also apply to canines. Kale is low on calories and can be served to your pet raw, dried, or cooked.
Kale is part of the brassica family, which includes other vegetables such as turnips, cauliflower, and broccoli. For dog breeders, these types of foods have been shown to help with their reproductive systems.
Carrots
Believe it or not, there is conflicting evidence on whether carrots help your eyesight. However, there is no debate on the fact that carrots are a nutritional feast for your pup. Carrots are low in cholesterol and saturated fats. These orange vegetables are also high in fiber, thiamin, and many vitamins, including A, B, C, and K. A healthy diet of carrots will help your pet’s digestive system.
However, you need to be somewhat cautious when serving carrots. Because they contain a high level of sugars, if you are too generous with carrots in your dog’s diet, it could result in an unwanted weight gain or a metabolic problem.
Pumpkin
Every fall, you can’t turn around without seeing something infused with pumpkin or pumpkin spice. Despite being coopted by the coffee café culture, pumpkins are a “superfood” for your dog.
These Halloween staples are low in saturated fats and filled with vitamins A, C, and E. Additionally, pumpkins contain nearly zero cholesterol or sodium and are a fantastic source for niacin, thiamin, iron, potassium, and B6. You should ignore the cultural jokes and introduce some pumpkin into your dog’s diet, including pumpkin seeds.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes might be the best source of vitamin A for a dog or human. Because of this, sweet potatoes are a “superfood” for your pet. They are also a great source for beta carotenes. Sweet potatoes also help decrease the likelihood of many diseases, such as cancer, because of the significant number of antioxidants. Additionally, due to the dietary fiber contained in sweet potatoes, they help maintain your dog’s digestive and metabolic systems.
Quinoa
Rice and grains provide your dog with essential nutrients. However, corn and wheat are not your best options. When walking down your supermarket aisle, look for quinoa. Quinoa can be easily added to your dog’s diet and provides them with protein and essential amino acids. Not only is quinoa great for your pet’s health, but it is also easy for your furry family member to digest.
Blueberries
These little bite-sized treats provide your dog with a host of nutritional benefits. Blueberries are filled with antioxidants and reduce oxidative damage associated with highly active dogs, especially energetic puppies. Blueberries are available either fresh or frozen and are a great source of fiber and vitamins C and E. Like other foods on this list, too many blueberries are not always a good thing. If you let your dog digest a large number of blueberries, they could suffer a severe case of diarrhea. While exceptionally good for your pet, blueberries should be slowly introduced into their diet.
Yogurt
When people think of foods that could benefit their dog, they might not ever consider yogurt. Your dog has a gut microbiome and yogurt will provide many benefits to this usually ignored part of your pet’s anatomy.
When you try to provide your dog with a healthy and natural diet, much of what you buy comes from a store and is packaged. This means even the most natural foods were exposed to some sort of processing that could have negatively affected it. Yogurt introduces bacteria into your dog’s systems that help combat the effect of their exposure to microorganisms from some of the foods they consume.
Professional Dog Walkers and Sitters Serving Pet Owners in Atlanta
Many foods are good for humans and dogs. The above list is just some of the most beneficial. Things like cherries, bell peppers, and strawberries are also “superfood” for your dog. You can feed your pet these foods cooked or raw. They can provide your pet with a healthy snack or you can create a dish of nutritional homemade dog food. In addition to a healthy diet, your pet should also have a daily dose of vigorous exercise. Our professional Atlanta dog walkers and sitters are ready to assist you in giving your dog a healthy lifestyle. Call Atlanta pet sitting company Critter Sitters at (404) 793-6178 to review the services we offer.
