All dogs deserve to eat a complete and balanced diet. Just like with a human diet, food plays a significant role in your dog's wellness. Therefore, paying attention to what your dog eats is essential to ensure they avoid any known food allergies and they receive all the nutrients they need to live well.
Are you wondering what you can add to your dog's dry food to improve your dog's diet? This is a common question among pet owners. Even the best quality dog kibble can benefit from adding fresh whole foods to boost nutrition. Read on to discover some of the best food boosters for dogs that you can add to dog food today.
Raw Eggs
Eggs are a great addition to dog food. They're rich in amino acids, calcium, iron, and various natural vitamins and minerals. Your dog can eat all parts of the egg: the white, yolk, and shell. Eating the shell ensures they receive the most significant boost of health benefits. We recommend feeding them local, organic, free-range, and naturally-fed eggs.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Fresh fruit and fresh vegetables offer amazing benefits. Rich in beneficial nutrients, studies show that dogs who ate green leafy vegetables reduced the risk of developing bladder cancer by 90%. Some of our favorite fresh foods to add to your dog's fresh food diet include raw carrots, celery, broccoli, sweet potato (cooked), green beans, bell peppers, bananas, raspberries, strawberries, watermelon, and pears. The more colorful, the better! Similarly to humans, eating fresh veggies and fruit can boost the immune system and positively impact your dog's health. You can also choose to give your dog fermented vegetables or pureed vegetables instead of fresh ones. We love the idea of adding cooked veggies as a kibble topper to turn that dry dish into fresh dog food your pup love.
Raw Goat's Milk
Dogs thrive on extra protein. That's why they love protein-rich cheeses from goat's milk, such as cottage cheese or ricotta cheese. Raw goat's milk is also rich in beneficial bacteria, such as prebiotics and probiotics. Both contribute to a healthy gut, an essential part of overall health and well-being in dogs and humans alike. Plus, adding milk adds a bit of moisture to dry dog food which your pup will appreciate. Simply drizzle it over your dog's kibble or pour it into a separate bowl and let your dog lap some up while it eats.
Sardines
Sardines may be tiny canned fish, but a little goes a long way! They're considered one of the most nutrient-dense foods for a reason. Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, they are great for your dog's daily caloric intake. We recommend starting slowly by adding a few sardines to your dog's food 2-3 times a week.
Bone Broth
Bone broth is a nutritious stock traditionally made by simmering animal bones in water for roughly 8-24 hours. As the bone simmers, it releases powerful vitamins and minerals. Bones are also loaded with gelatin, a nutritious, gooey substance that helps with joint health, digestive health, and the immune system. It also contributes to gut health. Bone broth is a great way to add some flavor to your dog's meals. Adding this to your dog's kibble also provides additional hydration, which is excellent for dogs who struggle to drink enough water.
Muscle Meat
Many dog owners prefer to add chicken, turkey, or beef to their dog's meals. In general, we strongly disagree with using beef since it's the worst food contributor or carbon emissions. Looking for beef alternatives? Check our post on the most sustainable protein choices for dogs. Whether you add slightly raw meat or lightly cooked, make sure the chunks are small enough to prevent choking. For organ meats other than beef liver, be sure to introduce them in small amounts. Some dogs may experience digestive issues if too much is fed at once.
Grains
There is a big debate in the dog food world about whether or not to include grains. We won't get into the drama there, but if you do want to add grains to your dog's diet, then go for whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and things like that.
Nutritional Supplements
If you want to take your home cooking to the next level, why not check out this Dog Supplement for Homemade Food? Vet-approved, it ensures your dog gets all the necessary nutrients it needs to truly thrive. Rather than buying processed kibble from pet food companies, you can choose what goes into your dog's fresh food diet and balance the diet with natural dog supplements like that. For example, you can pick ingredients that are organic, homegrown, local, in season, or on sale at the market.
Curious about what foods to avoid? Check out our post on dangerous foods for your dog.
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