Healthy Foods to Keep Your Dog Fit
If you’re in search of food to keep your dog fit and healthy, you’re in the right place!
It’s not uncommon for dogs to sit beside or under tables at mealtimes, hoping to snag a little snack, like that tiny pea that rolled off someone’s plate. Perhaps it’s the carrot sticks your child refuses to eat.
Either way, does the sight of your beloved dog wolfing down a veggie cause you to gasp? Are you then fraught with worry about stomach upsets or worse?
We’re here to tell you that it’s okay. Really.
Dogs can eat a lot more than just tidbits of meat and dairy items. Most fruits and vegetables are just as healthy and safe.
Are you now wondering, what is the best food to feed my dog? Whether you’re looking for healthy substitutes for commercial pet treats or you simply want to add extra nutrition to your dog’s diet, our list of veggies and fruits fits the bill perfectly.
10 Healthy Foods for Your Dog
Apples
Most dogs love the sweet and syrupy taste of apples, and they are among the best fruits to include in your dog’s healthy diet. Full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, apples can do wonders for your dog’s health. They are also high in fibers and can benefit your dog’s digestive system by maintaining a healthy and regular bowel movement.
Ensure to remove the apple seeds as they contain cyanide, which can be poisonous for your dog in high doses. Hence, sliced and cored apples are the best and safest way to feed apples to your pet.
“Many pet experts believe that seaweed is among one of the tonic foods for dogs. However, before offering this food, you first need to know Can dogs eat seaweed? and which types of seaweed are safe for dogs?”
Carrot
If you’ve been wondering, what can I give my dog to keep him occupied, then here’s your answer. High in beta-carotene and fiber, carrots make for fantastic low-calorie snacks for your dog. Carrots also contain a high amount of vitamin A which is great for your dog’s immune system. They’re also excellent for skin and coat health.
Most dogs love the crunchy feel and texture of carrots and spend hours chewing on them. However, since dogs can’t digest carrots quickly, it’s recommended to boil them slightly before feeding your dog.
Moreover, Carrot Chewing Can Be Great For Promoting Your Dog’s Dental Health As It Can Help Remove Plaque From Their Teeth.
Blueberries
Safe and nutritious, blueberries are superfoods packed with disease-fighting antioxidants like resveratrol and immune-building vitamins like A and C. The anti-cancerous properties of resveratrol prevent cell damage and help fight heart diseases, while the tannins present in blueberries help keep urinary tract infections at bay.
Loaded with phytochemicals, manganese, and fibers, these juicy bubbles of goodness are mostly made of water and can be great summer treats for your dog. Just freeze them a little, and your low-maintenance summer snack is ready!
If you have a small dog who swallows rather than chews, cut the frozen blueberries into small pieces to avoid a choking hazard.
You Can Also Use These Vitamin-dense, Low-calorie Snacks As Toss Toys While Teaching Your Pup To Catch Things.
Bananas
Bananas are full of magnesium which is great for improving and maintaining your dog’s bone health. The fruit is low in cholesterol, calories, and sodium but packed with fiber, vitamins, copper, biotin, and potassium—all good things. However, since bananas are high in sugar, it’s best to use these fruits as occasional delicacies instead of a staple diet. Due to their convenient natural packaging, bananas also make for a great on-the-go snack for your dog.
Keep the banana peels from your dog, though. They are not toxic, but they can cause intestinal upsets like indigestion and diarrhea.
Cooked Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are crammed with several vital minerals like calcium, copper, potassium, and iron, along with vitamins like vitamin A, C, B6, and E. Though sweet potatoes make for some of the tastiest homemade diets for dogs, you should feed them in moderate amounts since they are high in carbohydrates. This can cause your dogs to gain weight when consumed in large quantities.
However, make sure only to feed boiled sweet potatoes to your dogs as raw ones contain a compound called solanine which can be toxic for them.
Avoid Feeding Potatoes Cooked In Milk As They Can Cause Stomach Problems.
Cucumbers
If you’ve been wondering how can I balance my dog’s diet, the answer lies in cucumbers. Cucumbers are a great source of minerals like magnesium, potassium, biotin, and copper, along with vitamins like B1, C, and K. Low in calories, carbohydrates, and oils, cucumbers make for excellent dog treats, especially for overweight pets.
Despite their low carbohydrate content, cucumbers serve as great energy boosters while helping dogs lower their blood pressure. Furthermore, cucumbers can also improve your dog’s dental health and can be great breath fresheners for your canine friend!
Green Peas
If you’re looking for a vegetable that can improve your dog’s bone, teeth, skin, and fur health, then you must make green peas a part of your dog’s staple diet. Fresh or frozen, green peas can serve as tasty training treats for your dog, and most dogs love them. Green peas have always been regarded as a healthy diet for dogs, and it is this reason you can find them in most commercial dog foods.
Green peas are high in nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and carbohydrates but low in calories. They are also devoid of gluten but high in fiber, which makes them great for your dog’s healthy digestive system.
Red Peppers
Surprisingly, red peppers are very healthy for dogs. Compared to other bell peppers, red peppers are high in nutrients and are full of antioxidants and vitamins like A, C, & E. They can be great for your dog’s immune system. Low in calories and fat, red bell peppers can also serve as tasty and crunchy snacks. They can also help improve your dog’s digestive health and metabolism rate.
Strawberries
Strawberries are not just safe and nutritious, but dogs love these sweet and crunchy vitamin C nuggets. High in antioxidants and low in calories, strawberries make for wholesome and healthy dog diet ingredients. However, just like bananas, strawberries are high in sugar content. Hence, you must feed them to your dog in moderation. Strawberries are also full of enzymes that can improve your pet’s oral hygiene and naturally whiten their teeth.
Strawberries Are Hydrating Fruits And Are Also Full Of Fibers That Can Help Maintain Your Dog’s Digestive Health.
Pumpkins
If you are wondering what food will bind a dog up, then pumpkin is your answer. Pumpkin is a superfood that is rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. While pumpkin’s rich fiber content regulates your dog’s digestion, its oils and enzymes help maintain your dog’s urinary tract health. Pumpkins are also top of the list when it comes to what food calms dogs down.
Natural Deworming Agents, Pumpkins Are Not Just Healthy But Very Tasty And Easy On The Tummy.
What Nutrients are Essential for a Dog’s Diet?
Whether you prepare your dog food or buy it from a store, a balanced diet is vital to your dog’s health. Here’s a list of essential nutrients that must be a part of your dog’s healthy diet.
Water
Most living creatures need water, and your dog is no exception. And while water is not a nutrient per se, it is vital for biochemical reactions.
Minerals
They help maintain your dog’s nervous system health, oxygen flow, hormone regulation, bone, and cartilage formation.
Protein
Protein is vital for your dog’s tissue growth. It also helps maintain its skin, nail, and bone health.
Vitamins
Vitamin aid in the growth and development of your dog’s immune system. They also regulate your pet’s nervous system.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates and fibers are essential for your dog’s healthy digestive system and intestinal health.
Fat
Fat is vital to boost your dog’s energy and regulate its body temperature.
By eating a combination of meat, fruits, and vegetables, your dog can meet all their nutritional requirements.
Remember to set a proper feeding schedule for your dog so that you can keep the mealtime healthy and happy.
Common Fruits and Vegetables Your Dog Cannot Eat
Now that we’ve covered the basic food to keep your dog fit, we should also go over the no-nos. While many fruits are safe and healthy for your dogs, some can be bad or downright poisonous. Here’s a list of fruits and vegetables which you must avoid at all costs.
Avocados
Avocados contain a component called persin, which is poisonous for dogs. It can also cause diarrhea or vomiting.
Cherries
The cyanide content present in cherries can be very toxic for your dog.
Grapes and Resins
They can cause kidney damage and failure, along with other complications.
Onions
Onions can cause nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. In severe cases, it can cause damage to red blood cells, leading to anemia.
Raw Tomatoes
Solanine content present in tomatoes can be toxic for your dog and cause gastrointestinal and neurologic problems.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms can be very toxic and can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and restlessness.
Final Thoughts
We hope this list of food to keep your dog fit and healthy helps you put together a healthy diet for your canine friend. But before you feed any treat or fruit to your dog, we advise you to consult your veterinarian and find out if it’s safe.
While sweet fruits make for great treats, you must always exercise caution before feeding them to your pets. Make sure to buy organic fruits and vegetables, clean them thoroughly before offering them to your dog, and always maintain moderation in the quantity.
