Is it advisable to include fresh food in your dog's diet?

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 Are you contemplating the idea of adding a touch of freshness to your dog's kibble? Discover how to address any nutritional gaps in your dog's diet and learn about the best fresh foods for them!

The Benefits of Feeding Fresh Foods

While it may be obvious to simply pour some pet food into your dog's bowl, dedicating a few extra minutes to incorporate fresh ingredients can yield significant benefits for your furry friend! Let's explore how adding human food to your dog's meals can enhance their overall well-being:

Supplement Gaps in Their Diet

Regrettably, numerous kibble brands tend to incorporate grains and fillers in their formulas, resulting in limited quantities of essential nutrients in each bite. While opting for a well-balanced diet that includes protein-rich and nutrient-dense kibble or wet dog food can help alleviate these imbalances, you may still consider providing an additional nutritional boost for your dog! For instance, if your dog suffers from joint problems, adding a small portion of fresh fish to their dinner can supply an extra dose of omega-3 fatty acids.

Tempt Picky Eaters

Are you unsure about what to include in dry dog food to entice picky eaters? Does your dog have a low appetite? Don't worry! There are numerous enticing and nutritious fresh foods that you can incorporate into their meals to make them eagerly devour their food! You can add some of their favorite fresh ingredients as a topper or use a liquid such as bone broth or goat's milk to transform their entire dinner into a saucy and delightful feast.

Add Variety

Similar to humans, incorporating a variety of foods into a dog's diet contributes to their physical and mental well-being! While having a staple diet that fulfills their basic nutritional needs is perfectly fine, adding fresh food provides an extra dose of vitamins and minerals, adds flavor excitement, and helps prevent your furry friend from getting bored with their meals.

Big Long-Term Health Benefits

An insightful study conducted by Purdue University in 2005 revealed that including fresh vegetables in a dog's diet just three times a week reduced their risk of developing a particular type of bladder cancer by more than 70%! Although further research is needed to explore how feeding fresh foods to dogs and cats can assist with other conditions, there is clear evidence supporting the long-term health benefits of incorporating fresh food into their diet.

Fresh foods to add to your dog's diet

Before introducing any new foods into your pet's diet, it is important to conduct thorough research to ensure they are suitable for dogs with allergies or specific dietary requirements. The ideal supplements to add to your dog's food are as individual as your dog itself! To kickstart your exploration, here is a list of veterinarian-recommended ingredients that provide significant health benefits and are generally beneficial for most dogs

Meats

Incorporating raw, freeze-dried, or dehydrated meats into your dog's dinner can provide a protein boost along with other essential nutrients.

Here are some examples of meats that are beneficial for your dog:

• Chicken, turkey, and lean beef (excellent protein sources)
• Organ meats such as hearts, tripe, gizzards, and small amounts of beef liver (rich in B vitamins, zinc, and iron)
• Fresh fish or fish canned in water (sardines, salmon, and smelt are particularly high in omega-3 fatty acids)
• Bone broth (adds calcium, selenium, magnesium, moisture, and flavor to the meal)

Vegetables

Incorporating raw, freeze-dried, or dehydrated meats into your dog's dinner can provide a protein boost along with other essential nutrients.

Here are some examples of meats that are beneficial for your dog:

• Chicken, turkey, and lean beef (excellent protein sources)
• Organ meats such as hearts, tripe, gizzards, and small amounts of beef liver (rich in B vitamins, zinc, and iron)
• Fresh fish or fish canned in water (sardines, salmon, and smelt are particularly high in omega-3 fatty acids)
• Bone broth (adds calcium, selenium, magnesium, moisture, and flavor to the meal)

Fruits

Fruits are easily digestible and can be fed to your dog in their raw form. While they often provide valuable hydration and antioxidants, it's important to note that some fruits can be high in sugars, so they should be given in moderation.

Here are some examples of fruits that can benefit your dog's diet:

• Berries such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and cranberries (superfoods packed with antioxidants and vitamins)
• Apples (rich in the antioxidant catechins)
• Watermelon, grapefruit, mango, and papaya (abundant in the antioxidant lycopene)

Tips to Make Feeding Fresh Food Easy

Incorporating fresh food into your pet's diet may seem daunting, but it can actually be quite simple. Follow these techniques to seamlessly introduce fresh food into your dog's meals and make it a seamless part of your routine:

Start Small

It's not an all-or-nothing approach! You don't have to switch to a completely raw food diet right away. In fact, it's important not to make too many changes to your pet's expertly-formulated balanced diet. Consult with your veterinarian to determine your pet's specific needs, but as a general guideline, less than 15% of their total daily calories should come from added foods, while the remaining 85% should come from their regular diet.

You don't have to incorporate fresh food every single day. Don't be discouraged if you miss a few days. Adding fresh ingredients just a few days a week can still have a positive impact on your dog's health!

Meal Prep

Streamlining the process of adding fresh food to your dog's meals can make it less burdensome on a daily basis. Consider the following tips to make it more convenient:

Plan ahead by preparing a batch of pureed vegetables at the beginning of the week. This way, you can easily add a portion to your dog's kibble each day without hassle.

Pre-portion diced or ground meat in larger quantities and freeze them. By doing so, you can simply take out a portion from the freezer in the morning and let it thaw in the fridge, ensuring it's ready for your dog's dinner.

By implementing these steps, incorporating fresh food into your dog's diet becomes a manageable and time-efficient routine.