5 Simple Solutions to Improve your Dog's Diet
Keeping your dog healthy and happy is one of the most important responsibilities of being a pet owner. But, it can be difficult to know what steps to take in order to ensure your pup stays in good shape. It is all so confusing. The news tells us about toxic dog food ingredients, but feeding your dog home cooked meals can be complicated and time consuming.
Fortunately, there are some simple solutions that you can use to improve your dog's health and make sure they stay fit and active. From understanding the importance of proper nutrition for dogs to using natural remedies, I’ll share my secrets to improving your dog’s nutrition and well being simply…
- Make sure they get plenty of fresh water
- Understand the amount of food your dog needs. Follow the guidelines and speak to your vet if you are uncertain.
- Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise, play and stimulation
- Supplement your dog’s regular food with fresh vegetables to ensure they are getting important vitamins and minerals
How it started for me and Bucky
As a dog owner I am sure you have heard the equation that 1 dog year is equivalent to 7 human years. This past year my silly dog Bucky turned 7 - my kids quickly did the math and pointed out that she was the same age as I was, 49.
While I was beginning to feel the effects of time with a few more white hairs making their presence known and creaking bones and joints making the mornings a bit more complicated, it occurred to me that maybe Bucky was feeling the same. My curiosity was piqued and I spent hours researching ways to incorporate real foods into her diet without having to become a full time pup chef!
In this article I share with you my easy ways to give your dog a nutritious boost while still feeding her the same dog food you have always used.
5 Simple Nutritional Tips to Improve Your Dog’s Diet
1. Red peppers
Red bell peppers are incredibly healthy for your dog. They contain vitamins A, E, B6, and lutein (important for eye health). In addition to these immune boosting vitamins, they are also antioxidant rich and will reduce inflammation.
Bucky LOVES red bell peppers so much. She literally comes running every time I start cutting them. It’s easy to understand why! Raw sweet peppers have a subtle and sweet flavor that dogs love. Plus, they are crunchy and refreshing.
Whenever I prepare any food with red peppers I will give Bucky a few of the pieces as I chop. She will sit next to me in the kitchen while I food prep and happily chomps on pieces of red pepper.
NOTE: Only give your dog sweet red peppers, NEVER spicy red chili peppers. The capsaicin in them is toxic to dogs.
2. Apples
Apples are another example of readily available super nutritious treats for your dog. They are full of fiber which can help if your dog tends to get constipated, and will also help to keep them satiated longer and keeping their weight under control.
Adding apples as a snack for your dog will give them a boost in vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and antioxidants.
If you have kids like me you have certainly spent many moments in the kitchen peeling apples so your kids can have a healthy snack. I give Bucky some of the apple skins to munch on. She loves the sweet crunch and I love that I throw away less food!
NOTE: When feeding your dog apples be very careful to keep the seeds away from them, the seeds are toxic and highly poisonous.
3. Egg
Eggs are a wonderful way to make sure your dog is getting enough healthy protein. It is well known that industrial dog food is not the most complete food source for your dog, the meat that is typically used tends to be the discarded pieces that are not fit for human consumption - ears, hooves and the like. Unfortunately these pieces of meat are not nutritionally dense and can leave your dog lacking in proteins.
Eggs are one of nature’s most perfect sources of protein. The boost will make a significant difference in your skin and coat. In addition to being full of amino acids and fatty acids, they also give your dog a boost in a variety of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Riboflavin, Folate, Iron, and Selenium.
Several times a week I will simply give Bucky a raw egg on top of her normal serving of dog food. She loves it and will happily dance around when she sees me cracking the egg over her bowl.
One word of caution, the addition of eggs will increase caloric intake. I will typically serve Bucky a bit less of her dry dog food to compensate and she gets an egg every other day at most.
4. Salad ingredients
Many of the ingredients that I use in a simple weeknight salad are really wonderful additions to Bucky’s diet. She loves to keep me company as I chop up fresh veggies… and is more than happy to help clean up if anything should fall. Here is a list of some common salad ingredients that will give your dog a vitamin boost:
- Cucumber - a low calorie, water rich vegetable that gives your dog will happily crunch on
- Carrot - the crunch of a healthy carrot not only gives them a boost of important vitamins and minerals, they are also great for your dog’s teeth
- Beetroot - provide dogs with Vitamin C, fiber, manganese, folate, and potassium.
- Broccoli - a great source of calcium which keeps your dog’s bones strong
5. Treats from The Barkery
All of the dog treats at The Barkery have been developed and tested to give your dog important boosts in nutrition.
Our best selling Turmeric Dog Treats are a dog favorite and you can rest assured that you are improving their immune system, reducing levels of inflammation and improving the health of their joints.
Turmeric is an amazing addition to your dog’s diet, regardless of their age. By keeping inflammation under control in your younger dogs, they will be more resistant to canine illnesses as they grow. In your older dog a daily Turmeric Dog Treat will help to alleviate the aches and pains associated with aging.
Turmeric is also a powerful anti tumor ingredient. Canine cancers are on the rise and by supplementing your dog’s diet with turmeric daily you can help prevent tumors and even limit the growth of existing tumors.
Conclusion
Having a healthy and well-nourished pet is one of the most important aspects of being a responsible pet owner.
As such, it is important to understand the basics of nutrition for your dog. With this in mind, here are some additional simple tips for ensuring that your dog's nutritional needs are met: provide high-quality food, feed them regularly, avoid overfeeding and offer variety in their diet. By following the tips here in this article, you can ensure that your dog is receiving all the essential nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy.
Resources: