Many dog owners think that canned dog food and dry kibble are enough to meet the nutritional needs of our furry friends. While these foods do met the minimum nutrient requirements, adding fresh veggies to your dog’s food will boost the vitamin, mineral, enzyme & fibre content of every meal. You can chop or purée and mix with food, or feed whole as a snack.
Although many dog foods claim they use all organic and natural ingredients, many of the nutrients are still synthetic, are full of fillers, and lack the essential nature of whole foods, thus lacking good quality vitamins and minerals. Many are highly processed to-boot, and consist mostly of grain-based substances.
Yellow, red, and orange vegetables are great for dogs because they are almost always full of nutrients. Most vegetables have antioxidants that help combat cancer. But not all vegetables are good for dogs and organically grown vegetables are still the best.
Here are some of the vegetables that you can include in your dog’s diet.
Healthy Snack Options for Our Canine Fuzzy Friends
Spinach
It contains double the amount of iron found in many other types of greens. It is also a great source of calcium, fibre, vitamins A, B6, and K, and potassium. Spinach also helps in preventing cardiovascular issues, cancer, and inflammatory health issues from the carotenoids and flavonoids found in the leafy vegetable.
Celery
It helps strengthen the heart and reduces the chances of developing cancer. It is a vegetable rich in potassium, phosphorous, calcium, iron, sodium, and vitamins A, B and, C. Celery also contains 3-n-butylphthalide, a phytochemical that fights cancer-causing tumours. It also helps lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
Broccoli
It is a known fact that broccoli contains cancer fighting compounds and many phytochemicals, and builds enzymes that prevent carcinogens from developing and destroying cells. Broccoli is a low glycemic vegetable and will not increase the blood glucose levels. Also, it has vitamins A, C, D, beta carotene, fibre, folic acid, calcium, and chromium, all of which are wonderful nutrients for the body.
Carrots
Carrots contain Beta Carotene, a nutrient that is converted to vitamin A and an antioxidant which helps prevent cancer. Carrots also contain vitamin C which helps produce collagen. This is absorbed by muscles, bone, blood vessels, and cartilage so that the body can absorb iron. Other benefits include nourishing the optic nerves for better eyesight, and vitamins D, E, K, niacin, riboflavin, potassium, sodium, phosphorous, magnesium, and iron, (all important in supporting digestion and the immune system).
These are only a few fantastic plant-based highly nutritious foods you can add to your canine’s daily dish – monitor your dog and see what works for him/her. Experiment. Variety. Colourful.
Tips!:
- NEVER feed your dog: onions, grapes, raisins, or chocolate
- Puréed pumpkin is fantastic for an upset tummy
- Dehydrated sweet potato makes for a great chew treat
