Like us humans, our dogs cherish delicious food as well. One of the most important things you need to know when choosing food for your dog is what's best for their health. The short answer? You want anything that is high in fruits & veggies, proteins, and fatty acids. We get you asking “what's the best dog food”. Well don't worry – we're here to help give you all the information you need. We know that every ingredient counts, and we're here to show you how we use them to provide wholesome, healthy food for our pup. Let us discuss at large, the ingredients that can be fed as to start with.
Dog Nutrition: What You Need to Know
Kefir
Kefir is a fermented milk product with many ingredients to help your immune system. It is similar to yogurt in that they look the same, but kefir has a tonne of benefits over yogurt! The probiotics and yeast it contains help ward off bad bacteria. It actually has about 30 different strains which is 10 more than normal fermented foods have.
If your dog is on a dry food diet, their food can contain as much as 70% carbohydrates! Carbohydrates can lead to all sorts of problems because, essentially, they feed pathogenic yeast in the body. If you notice your dog accumulating smelly discharge and is bothered by itchiness and low fur (or even an ear infection), it might be time to change the diet. It could be due to yeast infection.
Feeding your dog a probiotic like kefir is important if they've been under additional stress (i.e. spending time in a kennel) or have taken any medicine, such as antibiotics. I would also add a pre/probiotic supplement to help restore bacteria in the ilea and large intestine.
More benefits to supplementing with kefir are anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, helps with candidiasis, IBD, and, allergies. Don't forget that it is also filled with beneficial vitamins and minerals.
True Kefir is traditionally made with cow’s milk, but it is also available with sheep or goat's milk. It's just a little harder to find. Dairy-free versions are also available that use coconut or almond milk, but they are even harder to find.
Pumpkin Puree
Pumpkin is a popular and delicious dog food supplement, and with good reason. It contains soluble fiber, which helps you digest your food properly. It’s also very beneficial for dogs if they are experiencing loose stools (bulk the stool) or constipation (lowers fiber amount). Pumpkin is also a great source of nourishment for dogs! They contain a considerable amount of Vitamins and minerals, as well as being rich in antioxidants. Pumpkin is an excellent ingredient to use in summertime treats – I always make a big batch of “Tender Tummy” Doggie Dessert recipe when the temperature rises.
Bone Broth
Giving your pet a little more water is very important, and one of the ways to do so is by making bone broth for them. It's perfect for animals that eat dry or freeze-dried foods, as it's packed full of hydration. By getting an animal to drink some broth every day you're helping their health and looking after them! Making bone broth your dog's go-to food is a brilliant idea. Not only does it offer them needed hydration, but bone broth can help with digestion for dogs that eat dry or dehydrated foods. It also offers essential mineral-based goodness. Bone broth not only makes digestion and detoxification easy and improves your gut health, it is also great for joint tissue and mobility.
Raw Eggs
Although eggs cannot be your dog's main source of nutrition, most puppies can consume them once or twice a week. Be sure to feed them raw if you can as cooking will destroy many of the egg's nutrients
Recommended Dose: With any new food item, start by experimenting with a small amount and work your way up to a full dose. Experiment with substituting one of your dog's meals with raw eggs 2-3 times a week. If you have a small dog, try substituting quail eggs- they're smaller and more nutritious!
Goat’s Milk
Goat's milk is often known as the most digestible type of milk and is easier to tolerate than most other dairy items. If your dog has any issues with cow's milk, goat's milk provides a great alternative for them. They may also be more hypoallergenic and better tolerated than other types of dairy. One of the benefits of goat milk is that it contains naturally occurring probiotics. This makes it easier to absorb and includes all the positive effects that this specific probiotic has to offer. If your dog has stomach problems, goat's milk might be worth a try. Goat's milk is also another great way to hydrate them.
Fermented Vegetables
Fermentation is when yeast or bacteria breaks down the food that has been pre-digested. This makes the fermented food extremely bioavailable (easy to absorb by the body). Fermented vegetables are an excellent way to get a dose of healthy bacteria for your gut. This healthy gut in turn helps prevent any health issues related to the immune system. Fermented vegetables are very important!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Many dogs are on dry and high in carbohydrates food, which tend to make their stomachs too alkaline. The apple cider vinegar helps them bring their stomachs back into balance and can help with digestion. Diets that are high in carbohydrates often cause the pH of the dog's stomach to be too alkali. Apple cider vinegar can be used to balance it out, which reduces digestive discomfort.
There are plenty of ACV benefits that can help in many circumstances. Some of the most helpful uses are topical – but that doesn’t mean it can’t have other beneficial effects. ACV has been shown to improve digestion, alleviate eye staining, reduce gas, increase bacterial growth and relieve constipation.
I use apple cider vinegar as a home remedy for Pebbles, but it might not be for every dog! Pebbles has been throwing up a bit lately and we’re not sure what is the cause. Usually, the vomits is only bone fragments from her food. This indicating that she doesn’t have enough stomach acid to digest the bone.
Sardines
I love sardines because they are such a short-lived fish. This means that they don’t have much time to accumulate toxins in their body and prey on smaller fish instead of larger, older fish. As a result, they are one of the cleaner forms of protein available. You might have heard about the amino acid, taurine lately. We figured you were looking for new ways to get your pet more of it and sardines are an excellent source of taurine. They also happen to be a very good source of omega 3 fatty acids, which is just another way they can help your pet get into shape!
Dogs with chronic diarrhea might benefit from more fermented foods. They should only be added to the diet gradually for their digestive system not to be upset. Fermented foods that are beneficial for dogs with chronic diarrhea or IBD include ACV and kefir, which have discussed earlier in this post.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a healthy saturated fat that has many benefits. The oil can give your dog's coat a healthy sheen, as well as making it feel soft, smooth and supple. The many benefits of Coconut Oil for Dogs include: It’s great for skin and coat health, helps with weight loss, improves gut health, improves brain function, can repel ticks and mosquitoes, can expel parasites
Coconut oil can be used as a toothpaste for dogs, or as a general body moisturizer. It is not a replacement for other oils, but it can provide your dog with important nutrients. Please consult your vet before starting any new diet or supplement routine.
Cooked white rice
If your pup's stomach is recovering from an upset, this food would be better. Rice is easy-to-digest and full of carbs – perfect post-illness! Cooking rice in a low sodium chicken broth will make it more enjoyable to your four-legged friend.
Broccoli
Dogs can enjoy small amounts of broccoli, however, it is important to make sure they are eating it in small amounts. Raw broccoli can be tough for them to eat, so make sure you cut the pieces into an appropriate size. If your dog eats too much of it, there may be side effects. Broccoli contains substances that are good for their health, but too much can irritation if given in large doses.
Watermelon
Your dog can eat small pieces of watermelon. It’s also high in vitamins and good for healthy hydration especially in summer. Watermelon is a nutritious & healthy fruit, but it does contain some sugar so try not to overdo it. Remember to remove seeds before feeding watermelon to your dog. The rind and seeds can cause blockages in dogs so make sure to keep them away from your pet.
Carrots.
That's right. Carrots are a juicy treat perfect for your pup. Plus, it's edible and an edible chew toy at the same time! For those who like something more refined, you can always cook up some carrots instead.
Cucumbers
A number of dogs are indifferent to cucumbers, but some love them! The crunch factor can be a big motivator for many pups. Offer your pup cut up cucumber pieces that are small enough for him to easily chew on.
