What Can I Add To My Dogs Food

If you're a regular here at Proud Dog Mom and so you probably know I'm a big laic in feeding my dogs fresh food filled with real meats and other whole ingredients. Merely like with people, diet plays a large role in our dogs' overall health and happiness. And then, when it comes to mealtime, I try my best to offer my furkids an abundance of nutrients that will leave them feeling fueled and in tip-top shape. With all that said …

If you feed kibble, many canine nutrition experts recommend bumping up their bowl with some fresh foods to replace nutrients lost during the high-heat processing. Here are some ingredients worth looking into!

Sardines

Sardines are tiny fish with a very big food profile! In fact, they're often called 1 of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. They're rich in omega-3 fatty acids (these little guys are ane of the best Omega-3 sources for our dogs since they aren't loftier in ocean contaminants), protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, selenium, calcium, and the list goes on.

When buying sardines for dogs, expect for a pack that's:

In water
No extra common salt added
Plain – no additional flavorings
Skinless and boneless

Since sardines pack a big nutritional punch, a little goes a long way. 1 whole sardine a couple of times a calendar week is great!

Egg

Eggs are rich in amino acids(the edifice blocks of protein), fe, calcium, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Plus, get this: Dogs can consume all parts of an egg — the whites, the yolk, and even the shell. Yup, the shell too! 1/2 teaspoon of powdered eggshell equals 1000mg of calcium.

Fresh Veggies and Fruits

Steaming, finely chopping/grating, and mixing some Fido-friendly veggies into your domestic dog's food basin is a great fashion to heave antioxidants, along with other beneficial nutrients. In fact, researchers take found some amazing benefits.

Have you e'er watched pet nutrition blogger Rodney Habib's TEDx Talk called "Why Don't Dogs Live Forever?" In the eye-opening 15-minute video, Rodney shares inquiry and findings that talk well-nigh how a fresh food nutrition impacts our dogs' health.

During his presentation(which you can sentinel here), he quoted a 2005 Purdue University report that asked the question: How does adding a little bit of fresh food to a bowl of processed dog food impact dogs? In the study, dogs ate dry commercial pet food and, at least 3 times a week, some got an array of vegetables added to their bowls.

The results? Dogs who ate any green leafy vegetables had reduced the risk of developing bladder cancer by 90%. Dogs who consumed any yellowish-orange vegetables similar carrots reduced the chance by 70%!

Photograph Source: Pet Nutrition Blogger, Rodney Habib

Some skilful veggie options include:

Bong pepper
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Carrots
Green beans
Kale
Spinach

Certain fruits are too a great addition. Blueberries, in particular, are loaded with antioxidants and other key nutrients that are nifty for dogs.

Check out my Nutrient Facts series to find out more almost Fido-friendly fruits and veggies.

Organ Meats, Like Liver

Organ meats are extremely rich in central nutrients. Liver, for example, is high in protein, copper, iron, and zinc. Information technology's a skilful source of vitamin A and various B vitamins. Since liver is very rich and offers up way more nutrients than musculus meat(like chicken chest, for example), a little goes a long manner.

According to the experts at Dogs Naturally Magazine:"If your pet tolerates liver without developing loose stools, you should consider feeding up to 1 oz. of liver per solar day for a medium to large dog, and upwards to 0.5 oz. per twenty-four hour period for pocket-sized dogs. Feeding double that amount of liver but two-iii times a week is another good strategy."

You lot can add raw, freeze-dried, or dehydrated organ meats to your pup'due south kibble. Bank check out my recipe for broiled beef liver bites Hither. Rather than slicing and serving as treats, you can follow this same recipe and then pulse the baked liver in a nutrient processor a few times to create tiny $.25. Sprinkle them on top of your pup's kibble and you lot'll instantly enhance the nutrients and flavor!

Digestive Enzymes

In general, digestive enzymes help to breakdown the carbs, fats, and proteins your pup eats. While raw meat and fresh vegetables naturally contain enzymes, once ingredients are exposed to oestrus, they lose them. And a diet lacking in digestive enzymes could lead to backlog burping and farting.

To take some stress off your pup's digestive organization, increase food assimilation, and promote all-around meliorate digestive health, consider adding a digestive enzyme to your dog's food basin.

According to Dog'southward Naturally Magazine: "Some kibble may have added enzymes. You tin can unremarkably recognize an enzyme by words that cease in –ase on the ingredient panel. Lipase breaks down lipids or fats. Amylase breaks downward starches. Protease breaks down proteins into smaller amino acids. These are only a few of many enzymes. Simply again, these enzymes may not survive kibble processing. So it's best to add enzymes in a different mode."

When it comes to mealtime, do you fill your dog's bowl with kibble? If so, there are some things to consider. Read on for selection and storage tips!

Raw Goat's Milk

This stuff is liquid golden for your canine companion. Raw caprine animal's milk is rich in both prebiotics and probiotics, meaning information technology promotes diverse and healthy gut flora(good gut health is key for overall health and wellbeing – in canines and humans)!

Plus, raw goat'south milk adds a nice dose of moisture to that dry bowl of kibble.

You can either drizzle it over the kibble, pour it into a separate bowl and let your dog lap some upwards alongside his repast, or freeze some in small silicone molds and add a frozen treat to their dish.

Bone Broth

Have yous always heard of bone goop? Information technology refers to a nutritious and comforting stock traditionally fabricated by simmering animal bones in h2o for a long period of time (between 8-24 hours). As the bones simmer, they release powerful vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial healing properties.

Bone broth is loaded with a gooey substance chosen gelatin (AKA broken down collagen), which benefits both digestive health and articulation health. It'due south also filled with nutrients that fight inflammation and benefit the immune system.

Delight note: Do not feed dogs os broth infused with onion or other foods considered toxic to canines.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is considered a superfood for our canine cuties. Information technology's loaded with both soluble and insoluble fiber, making it great for dogs suffering from a tour of diarrhea or constipation. That cobweb as well helps keep our pups feeling full for longer, which means it tin aid weight direction.

Cooked and pureed pumpkin is like shooting fish in a barrel for our dogs to eat, assimilate, and absorb. You can either brand pumpkin puree (past cooking and then blending it up) or you can buy a tin can at the shop. Just make sure the can says 100% Pure on it, as pumpkin puree pie filling contains ingredients that aren't skilful for dogs.

As for portions, in general, stick with about ane-ii teaspoons for puppies, and no more than 1-four tablespoons for developed dogs.

Because Fresh Food?

Like many people, I grew upwardly feeding my dogs kibble. So, when I welcomed my two electric current pups, Diego and Gigi, into my dwelling house, I didn't think much about driving down to my local pet store and grabbing a bag of kibble. Once I became more than interested in canis familiaris nutrition, I made the switch to fresh food. I started with homemade meals then, for convenience, switched over to The Farmers Dog about a year and a half ago.

Since transitioning to a full fresh-food diet, I have noticed some major differences in my domestic dog's energy level, digestion, and overall health. Find out more about my experience HERE.

Sticking With Kibble?

Here are some resources to help you select the highest quality kibble and shop it correctly.

Your Ultimate Guide for Feeding a Puppy (This article includes a list of canis familiaris food marketing and labeling tricks to avoid)
Kibble 101: Are Yous Storing Your Canis familiaris'south Kibble Correctly? (Unlike many people believe, kibble doesn't terminal forever! In this mail, you'll find out more nigh expiration dates and proper storage)