More and more pet parents are interested in giving their dogs premium dog foods to support their health better. But the high costs stop many in their tracks. This is one of the reasons more pet parents are turning to creating food for their pets at home. So that begs the question, what nutrient-rich ingredients are best for creating premium dog food? I.e., what do superfoods for our dogs look like? Let's explore!
Defining Superfoods
Superfood is a term given to any food item that is considered healthy. This can mean a lot of things. For example, a food may be called a superfood because it's rich in antioxidants that fight free radicals that "contribute to the etiology of many chronic health problems such as cardiovascular and inflammatory disease, cataract, and cancer." It can also mean the ingredient has healthy fats that discourage illnesses such as heart disease.
While it seems like the term superfood is a recent invention, the term actually dates back to the early 1900s, when it was used for a marketing campaign to promote bananas. Now, this does mean you do need to be careful as the term gets carelessly thrown around a lot, so let's take a closer look.
What Makes a Food Super?
Antioxidants:
- These are compounds found in various foods and help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body that can damage cells and DNA through oxidation.
- Consuming antioxidants helps prevent many diseases, especially age-related ones and cancer.
Healthy Fats:
- Healthy fats contribute to the maintenance of healthy cell membranes and aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
- Consumption of healthy fats can improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
Fiber:
- Fiber is a type of carbohydrate found in plant-based foods and aids in digestion by promoting regular bowel movements and preventing constipation.
- High-fiber diets have been linked to a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes and various digestive disorders, including diverticulitis and hemorrhoids.
Vitamins:
- Vitamins are essential micronutrients required for numerous biochemical processes in the body. They play crucial roles in maintaining normal growth, development, and overall health.
- Each vitamin has specific functions, and deficiencies can lead to various health problems, ranging from weakened immunity to impaired vision.
Phytochemicals:
- Phytochemicals, which include flavonoids, carotenoids, and polyphenols, are naturally occurring compounds found in plants that provide various health benefits.
- They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Cannabinoids:
- Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in cannabis plants, as well as produced naturally in the body. They interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates various physiological processes, including mood, appetite, pain sensation, and immune function.
- Research suggests that cannabinoids may promote homeostasis in all mammals by modulating ECS activity, potentially offering therapeutic benefits for conditions like chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety, and epilepsy.
Blueberries
Rich in antioxidants that protect against cell death, fiber for healthy digestion, and vitamin C to support the immune system, blueberries are one of the best fruits we can give to our dogs.
They are the perfect size for most dog breeds and most dogs go wild for them thanks to their sweet flavor. All of this makes blueberries a perfect snack, but they can also be a main part of your dog's regular meals.
Want to love and reward your dog with an even healthier snack? Try freezing some blueberries in an ice tray filled with Greek yogurt, which is a great source of probiotics. Optionally, you can mix some peanut butter in there as well; just make sure to pay attention to all the calories peanut butter will bring to the treat.
Turkey
Turkey and other novel proteins, like bison, are becoming incredibly common to see in premium dog foods. This is due to many dogs struggling with allergies to common proteins such as beef and chicken.
A great source of protein with all 10 essential amino acids dogs need, and turkey is an incredibly affordable protein if you're looking to create your dog's food for them at home. Unlike other novel proteins such as rabbit, turkey is very easy to find in a traditional grocery store.
When looking to give your dog turkey, sticking to cooked ground turkey is usually the best option. Turkey bones, especially once cooked, are prone to splitting and can puncture your dog's mouth and GI tract.
Similar to raw chicken, raw turkey is often contaminated with bacteria, including Salmonella and Campylobacter. Unlike beef, the softer meat allows bacteria to penetrate fully and needs to be fully cooked to be safe.
You don't want to add any seasoning like garlic or salt to ground turkey, which is one of the reasons deli turkey is pretty much off the table.
Fish and Fish Oil
Fish and fish oil are excellent sources of essential omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA are powerful anti-inflammatories, with a 2021 study finding they can help canine allergic dermatitis. The study also found that they could aid dogs who are diagnosed with chronic heart failure and lymphoma.
Unless your dog is regularly consuming food fortified with omega-3s or food with fish as one of the main protein sources, there is a real chance your dog isn't getting enough omega-3s to combat all the omega-6s they frequently see in their diet. While also essential, an overabundance of omega-6s to omega-3s can trigger excessive inflammation.
Eggs
Did you know that the average dog can easily thrive on a vegetarian diet? And a big reason it's fairly easy is thanks to eggs, which contain all the essential amino acids our dogs need. If you plan to make eggs a regular part of your dog's diet, you'll want to be cooking them. Raw egg whites contain avidin, which is a protein that binds to biotin, blocking the body from being able to absorb it and this can lead to a biotin deficiency.
When they are cooked, the avidin is denatured. This happens to other proteins in eggs too, and as a result, like us, our dogs can absorb more protein from cooked eggs. A well-regarded study from 1998 found that humans absorb 91% of the protein in cooked eggs, compared to only 51% in raw eggs.
Canned Pumpkin
Many pet parents will tell you that canned pumpkin was a lifesaver when they needed a quick fix to help their dog's upset stomach. Low-calorie but incredibly filling, canned pumpkin is a great source of prebiotics and probiotics that help add bulk to bowel movements while nourishing the good bacteria that call your dog's gut home. Speaking of adding bulk to bowel movements, a combination of canned pumpkin and oatmeal is my go-to solution for impacted anal glands.
Spinach and Other Leafy Greens
Spinach and other leafy greens like kale have a ton of goodies in them that are great for our dogs' diet, and they combine well, too. For example, while kale has a lot of calcium and vitamins C and K, spinach has more vitamin A, vitamin E, iron, potassium, zinc, folate, and magnesium. But what do all those goodies do for our dogs, exactly? Well, in 2005, one study found that green vegetables have the potential to lower cancer risk by 90%.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are another one of those high-fiber foods that directly support digestion, but thanks to their range of essential vitamins and minerals, sweet potatoes can indirectly support the digestive system by supporting the immune system.
Like with pumpkin, you need to be diligent when buying sweet potatoes for your dog, as some varieties will include potentially harmful ingredients such as xylitol (an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs).
