With so much information out there on super foods for human health, there is conflicting information regarding which superfoods are good for dogs. Here is your guide to knowing which of these natural powerhouses are safe for your pup and what they do to give them optimal health!
Superfoods is a term to refer to foods that are low in calories but high in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and other components that have been found to have health benefits when taken in the right amounts (i.e. not too much, not too little).
Like most nutrition information, once studies have shown that certain foods have beneficial effects in humans, the results and studies then come out for our canine friends. Veterinary nutritionists and animal scientists have all studied different superfoods and found them to help with slowing down disease, regulating blood sugar, helping with weight management and boosting energy. Now that is great news for dog’s and for owners! Dog’s can live their best life, live longer and owner’s can enjoy their pups longer and on the side, have lower vet bills and less anxiety over many appointments and treatments.
High quality dog foods like Canadian company Kabo, incorporate superfoods into their recipes because of their amazing health benefits. All ingredients are human grade and gently cooked to retain nutrients, making the superfoods highly digestible and functional in your dog’s digestive system. That means these nutrients will get to where they need to be and give optimal function to the cells that use them. Here is a quick list of superfoods that are good for dogs to eat, how they work and why they are important in maintaining optimal health.
Kale is one of the most nutrient dense foods available. This leafy green is a fantastic source of magnesium which is needed for many functions in a dog’s body, such as: aiding in protein synthesis, contracting and relaxing muscles, and regulating the nervous system. Kale also is an excellent source of potassium which is needed for regulating blood pressure, water retention and preventing bone disease. So kale is not only safe for dogs to eat, but will help them with things like muscle recovery after long walks, help with coordination while catching a ball and maintaining a good cardiovascular system. One thing to be aware of is to keep kale servings in moderate amounts, it is high in calcium and oxalates and can be an issue for dogs prone to urinary bladder stones and kidney disease.
While we were told: ‘an apple a day will keep the doctor away’, it is slightly different for dogs. They don't need a whole apple every day. They will get the nutritional benefits from some apple pieces in their food, or as an occasional treat, due to the high dietary fiber and antioxidants in them. They are also high in Vitamin C to help with joints and they are low in fat. Always take the seeds out as well as the core. Cooked as a sauce dogs love it, just be sure not to add extra sugar, as they have enough natural sugars in them to be tasty for your pooch.
Green beans are a great source of fiber, low fat and very little naturally occurring sugars. They are heart healthy being found to lower cholesterol and have anti-inflammatory properties. Green beans are also a good source of minerals, especially manganese, Manganese helps the body form connective tissue, bones, blood clotting factors, and sex hormones. It also plays a role in fat metabolism, calcium absorption, and blood sugar regulation. Manganese is also necessary for normal brain and nerve function. Cooked, steamed or raw are all fine for dogs to eat.
Yes! Many dogs love eggs! Eggs are nature’s power snack! Good on their own or with a meal, they are very beneficial to your dog’s health. Despite controversy of their high cholesterol content, when given in moderation and part of a complete and balanced diet, eggs are a great source of nutrients in a small pack of calories. Eggs have many nutrients including B vitamins, choline, selenium, vitamin A, iron and phosphorus. They’re also loaded with high-quality protein And if that weren't enough, they also have two potent antioxidants, zeaxanthin and lutein, which are known to protect vision and eye health. Research so far indicates no measurable increase in heart disease or diabetes risk from eating up to 6–12 eggs per week in humans, so for dogs, like all things, moderation is the key! (1)
These are ideal as part of a recipe or a topper. Aside from having many vitamins, one big benefit of chia seeds is that they can help with satiety, the process of feeling full after a meal. Food motivated dogs with a hearty, constant appetite can feel fuller. This will cut down on the amount of food they eat and will provide support for weight loss in cases of obesity. The other big benefit is that this seed is a great source of protein. But the real magic happens when combined with meat proteins! Their collective protein helps build muscle mass and preserve muscle tissue and health.
Flaxseed is a sustainable oilseed that is rich in polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. Scientifically, this oil has been proven to maintain gut health, improve digestion and reduce inflammation. This alone is important for maintaining a good gut microbiome, that ultimately helps moderate the immune system including helping with allergies, and allergy season. If that weren't enough, this super oil also helps in fostering brain and vision development. Hitting all of those body systems with these tiny seeds definitely makes it a superfood!
Dogs can have spinach! This leafy green is very high in antioxidants. The by-products of cell metabolism called free radicals cause ‘oxidative stress’ on cells, which damages them. This leads to aging, as well as the progression of diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Antioxidants neutralize the ‘oxidation’ of cells and are nature’s ‘off switch’ to this process. This ultimately slows down aging and many disease processes.
Carrots are low on the glycemic index (GI), which is a measure of how quickly foods raise blood sugar after a meal. Their GI ranges from 16–60 — lowest for raw carrots, a little higher for cooked ones, and highest for puréed. There is a lot of fiber in carrots. The great thing is that these fibers slow down digestion and thus lower blood sugar. Moreover, these fibers can slow down the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract, lowering blood cholesterol! Carrots are also powerhouses of vitamins, particularly vitamins A and K. Beta carotene from carrots is turned into vitamin A in the body of mammals. This nutrient promotes good vision and is important for growth, development, and immune health. Vitamin K1 is important for blood clotting and for bone health.
These are just some of the superfoods being used in dog food. There are many more and research is constantly coming out and revealing the benefits of these superfoods not just humans, but for dogs as well. All of these ingredients are used in Kabo’s recipes. This means your dog is getting a power pack of superfoods in each meal pack. Over time, this leads to a build up of these nutrients in their body which will help with slowing down aging of cells, and replenishing cells more efficiently and more often. All of which lead to better disease outcomes and it may even prevent some diseases.
