Improving your dog’s diet does not mean a drastic change or that you must feed raw!
Below, learn 4 easy tips to improve your dog’s diet immediately.
As dog owners, we want to do the best for our furry friends! We want our dogs to live healthy, happy long lives and their diet is a critical part of the equation.
Our Dogs Are What They Eat
The adage, “you are what you eat,” reminds humans that whatever we put into our body is responsible for our overall state of health and well-being. Your dog is no different.
It Is NOT All or Nothing with Food
Improving your dog’s diet does not have to be a complete 180 from what you are doing now. Even small steps add up to real differences in your canine’s overall health.
4 Tips to Improve Your Dog’s Diet Immediately
The simple tips below will enhance the quality of your dog’s overall diet and help them maintain their optimum weight while staying healthy and energetic!
Feed Fresh, Whole Foods More than Shelf-Stable Foods
Since 1956, dry kibble has become a convenient way of feeding dogs. Kibble also offered a longer shelf life – 12-24 months – by using a process of extreme pressurized steam and hot temperatures. Unfortunately, this process also negatively impacts the overall quality, nutrition and vitamins (as much as 50%) and can pose a plethora of health risks.
Your dog needs live enzymes found in fresh, whole foods that have not been cooked or altered in any way. So even if you are feeding dry kibble, support your dog’s health with foods like fresh vegetables and fruit packed with whole nutrients your dog’s body can naturally absorb, assimilate and use as nature intended.
Learn which fresh fruits and vegetables you should feed your dog here!
Feed Whole Foods with Antioxidants & Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Behind most diseases is inflammation! Inflammation also exacerbates premature aging. Unfortunately, processed foods make any inflammation worse. To offset the negative effects, add a variety of natural, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich whole foods to your dog’s daily diet including vegetables, fruits and herbs. According to Dr. Billinghurst, any dog over 6-weeks-old should eat a diet of 10% fruits and vegetables every day.
Learn which fruits are antioxidant-rich and fight inflammation here!
Learn which vegetables you should feed your dog to boost their health here!
Avoid Supplements and Feed Fresh Whenever Possible
Supplements are not inherently bad, but there is a vast difference between a synthetic product and the whole food that contains the nutrients naturally. For example, dogs need critical Omega-3 fats. But commercially produced fish oil is not the answer we wish it were because it is heated during processing which causes oxidation or rancidity. Instead of giving your dog processed fish oil, feed them natural sources like sardines, mackerel, herrings or even phytoplankton for the maximum, natural benefits from the whole fish!
Learn more about feeding sardines to dogs here!
ONLY Feed Raw Meat
Adding meat to your dog’s regular diet is not only natural but incredibly nutritious! But only feed raw meat to retain all the valuable nutrition. Include raw muscle meats, organs and fish for an effective and wholesome variety.
Learn the basics of feeding raw – especially meat – at Dogs Naturally Magazine here.
(Want to learn more? Refer to the “Additional Reading” list below for more resources on supporting your dog’s health through a better diet.)
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Just email or call us at 480-382-0144.
East Valley K9 Services has got all your dog training and dog boarding needs covered in the Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe and East Valley areas of Arizona!
Additional Reading
Dogs Naturally Magazine: 15 Tips to Improve Your Dog’s Diet Today
Dogs Naturally Magazine: 11 Reasons to Feed Your Dog Fruits and Vegetables
Dogs Naturally Magazine: Sardines for Dogs: An Easy Raw Recipe
Rodney Habib (Video): Easy & Affordable Raw Food Hacks for Dogs
Rodney Habib (Video): Raw Food Tips with Rodney Habib
Image Credits (Shown in Order of Appearance):
Image by Mat Coulton from Pixabay
Image by Patrick Zbasnik from Pixabay
Image by andreas160578 from Pixabay
Image by jan mesaros from Pixabay
