We always look for the best ways to make sure our dogs live long and healthy lives. Diet plays a crucial role in their well-being and can offer significant benefits for dogs just like it does for us.
So what exactly are Whole Foods? These are foods that have not been processed, refined or have added ingredients. These include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, meats, fish, shellfish and eggs. These foods provide a wealth of essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients and are known to be highly bioavailable- making it easier for the body to absorb and utilize the nutrients.
A few long term positive impacts of fresh whole foods include:
- Healthy Weight
- Improved Digestion and Nutrient Absorption
- Better poops
- Increased Energy
- Improved Dental Health
- Softer Coat
Food groups that we have incorporated into our recipes and their respective benefits:
- Proteins like chicken, beef, venison and pork supply vital amino acids for muscle development and immune function.
- Fruits, vegetables and dark leafy greens such as apples, carrots, green beans, broccoli, kale, spinach, cranberries and blueberries are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support immune health and aid digestion.
- Healthy Fats like salmon oil, coconut oil, sardines, and flax seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, promoting healthy skin, coat health, and cognitive function.
- Whole Grains like quinoa and oats offer carbohydrates for energy and fiber for healthy digestive health.
- High Fiber foods like Pumpkin and sweet potatoes are gentle on the stomach, aids digestion and relieves gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea or constipation.
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Probiotics like Plain Yogurt/Kefir, supports a healthy balance of gut bacteria, aiding digestion.
- Raw Meaty Bones (like chicken feet) provide essential nutrients like calcium and phosphorus, promoting dental health and satisfying a dog's instinct to chew.
- Crunchy veggies like Carrots and Celery help reduce plaque buildup and freshens breath (who doesn’t like that?!) and doubles up the goodness with all the added vitamins!
This was an overview of how whole foods can make a huge positive impact on our pups' wellbeing. If you do not currently feed your dog an exclusively fresh diet, our bowls would make perfectly great toppers to their existing meals. This will help ensure that they receive high quality, unprocessed nutrition to help them live a long and healthy life.
Sources:
- Morgan, J. (2019). Yin & Yang Nutrition for Dogs: Maximizing Health with Whole Foods, Not Drugs. Dudley Court Press.
- Becker, K. (2014). Real Food for Healthy Dogs and Cats: Simple Homemade Food. Natural Pet Productions.
- Royal, B. (2010). The Royal Treatment: A Natural Approach to Wildly Healthy Pets. Simon and Schuster.
- Freeman, L. M., & Michel, K. E. (2001). Evaluation of raw food diets for dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 218(5), 705-709.
- Patton, R. A., & Center, S. A. (2009). Nutritional management of obesity in dogs and cats. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 39(2), 293-306.