Healthy REAL Foods to add to your dogs bowl

Breaking the myth of  "Human Foods" being bad!

Sources: Mercola, Dogs Naturally Magazine, Answers Pet Food, Rodney Habib

• Eggs
  • Eggs are a COMPLETE food source!  Eggs contain all the nutrients necessary to grow a new chicken; and this is why eggs are also one of the most complete sources of amino acids, the building blocks of protein. So feeding them to your dog is a great way to boost his protein intake. We add a whole egg to the bowl daily. (If you have farm fresh eggs, you can feed the shell too! But not the shell of store bought eggs- they’re bleached and chemicals are applied )

• Pumpkin.
  • Pumpkin helps regulate bowel function, which relieves both diarrhea and constipation. Pumpkin is also an excellent source of potassium.
  • I like adding FIRM UP to all of our dogs meals, it’s made of dehydrated pumpkin and apple pectin. I’ve found this helps support digestion and anal gland health even better than canned or fresh pumpkin. It can be found at many pet food stores, as well as Meat & Tater's Pantry (aka Carolina Pet Pantry- shop here and support Bullies 2 The Rescue), Chewy, and Smile.Amazon.com (shameless plug- choose HBR as your charity of choice when shopping Amazon!)

• Kefir
  • Kefir is a fermented milk beverage that contains beneficial probiotics that support the immune system. Although regular, pasteurized cow's milk can be irritating to your dog's GI tract, raw and fermented milk is different. One of the best and least expensive ways to add healthy bacteria to your pet's diet is through raw dairy.
  • Although you can make your own kefir at home, Answers is a great store-bought option. They also have raw goats milk which is an amazing addition! Their website has a store locator to find stores near you.

• Mushrooms
  • Some mushrooms are poisonous, so obviously you'll want to avoid those. Do NOT let your dogs eat mushrooms from the yard! Non-toxic, beneficial varieties include shiitake, reishi, maitake, lion's mane, king trumpet, turkey tail and himematsutake mushrooms. All mushrooms that are safe for people are safe for pets.
  • Mushrooms can help regulate bowel function, but even better, they also contain potent anti-cancer properties and immune system enhancers.
  • There are several mushroom supplements on the market including a few from Dr Harvey's.

• Green Veggies 
  • Broccoli : Broccoli supports detoxification processes in your dog's body; contains healthy fiber to aid digestion; is rich in beneficial nutrients like potassium, calcium, protein and vitamin C; has anti-inflammatory properties; supports eye health; helps repair skin damage; and supports heart health
  • Kale : Kale is a dark green cruciferous vegetable loaded with vitamins (especially vitamins K, A and C), iron and antioxidants. It helps with liver detoxification and also has anti-inflammatory properties. 

         
Due to their shorter digestive track, dogs have more difficulty digesting raw vegetables. Lightly steam and puree broccoli to add on top of your pets meals. I like to make a mix of broccoli, kale, parsley and ginger as a topper. Or feed a supplement such as Green JuJu 

• Sardines
  • Fish are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to your dog's well-being. If you supplement your pet's diet with fish, I suggest you use sardines packed in water. Or whole frozen sardines from a company such as My Pet Carnivore

• Sweet potatoes
  • Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene and antioxidants, and are also high in vitamins A and C. Sweet potatoes with purple flesh have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may lower the risk from heavy metals and oxygen radicals.
    
  • Cook and cool before feeding. Do not feed raw.

• ​Fermented vegetables.
  • Adding 1 to 3 teaspoons of fermented veggies to your pet's food each day (depending on body weight) is a great way to offer food-based probiotics and natural nutrients. 
  • Fermented foods are potent detoxifiers and contain very high levels of probiotics and vitamins. Beneficial gut bacteria provided by probiotics break down and eliminate heavy metals and other toxins from the body, and perform a number of other important functions.
  • Making fermented veggies at home can be easy. Here's one recipe.

• Chia.
  • Chia is a seed derived from the desert plant Salvia hispanica that grows abundantly in southern Mexico. It is a source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids and also antioxidants. And unlike flax seeds, chia seeds don't need to be ground. Chia seeds also provide fiber, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin and zinc. Try sprinkling some chia seeds on your dog's meals, or mix some with a little coconut oil for a super nutrient dense bedtime snack.

Remember to introduce new food items slowly, especially if your dog has only been on kibble. 


​All of our fosters have been provided with fresh food during their time with us. If your adoptive dog has any sensitivities or issues, you will be advised of that before taking home your new dog.



Note: We are not veterinarians. We are dog parents who want to share the information that has been helpful to the health of our dogs..
Sources: Mercola, Dogs Naturally Magazine, Answers Pet Food, Rodney Habib