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Loading...10 Ways to Liven up Your Dog’s Dinner
- Mel, selected from The Bark
- August 19, 2009
- 5:12 pm
- 119 comments
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6. Salmon
Bursting with Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s do wonders for skin, coat and brain as well as limit inflammatory processes that cause arthritic pain and other chronic canine conditions. (If your dog has any of these conditions, ask your vet if fish oil in capsule form might help.) Salmon is also an excellent protein source, with many essential vitamins and minerals.* Pup Prep: When you’re cooking salmon steaks for yourself, toss a few extra on the barbie for your dog. Refrigerate or dehydrate the grilled chunks and serve them cold.
7. Nori
Dried edible seaweed (red algae species), a Japanese staple. Often associated with sushi, nori is available in some supermarkets, and certainly in those with Asian food items. It has protein, galactans (a soluble fiber), Vitamins C, E and all the Bs, and minerals such as zinc and copper. It also contains some lesser-known sterols and chlorophyll, which have been investigated for their effects on regulating metabolism. Nori may have beneficial effects on fat metabolism, immune function and anti-tumor response. Pup Prep: Nori does not have a strong odor or flavor, and the paper-thin sheets can be torn and soaked in broth, then added to food, or just added dry. Puppy sushi, anyone?
8. Blueberries
Member of the Heath family and loaded with phytochemicals. Available year round either fresh or frozen, blueberries are a great treat for your dog. The deep blue color comes from anthocyanidins, which are potent antioxidants, and the berries also supply Vitamin C, Vitamin E, manganese and fiber. Slow introduction in small quantities is particularly essential here; as anyone who has ever gorged on this tasty fruit knows, the blueberry “trots” are most unpleasant (and you’re the one who will be cleaning up!). Be judicious. Pup Prep: Rinse and serve whole, or mash lightly.
9. Rosemary
Aromatic mint relative. Rosemary provides some fiber, iron and calcium in addition to several phytochemicals thought to improve immune function and act as anti-inflammatory agents and antioxidants. Pup Prep: Wash a sprig of fresh rosemary and add the minced needles (leaves) to foods.
10. Swiss Chard
A pretty veggie known as a “green.” Chard belongs to the same family as beets and spinach and has tons of nutrients, which are best maintained by blanching and not boiling the leaves and stalks to mush. (Some feel that, in order to lap up any leeched nutrients, the water in which chard is blanched should be consumed too.) Blanching sweetens the leaves and frees up some of the oxalates, which can bind minerals. Chard’s nutrients have the potential to maintain bone health, blood vessel integrity, eye health and immune function and benefit optimal muscle function and energy production. Pup Prep: Offer your dog some blanched, chopped chard enhanced with a bit of olive oil; if you’re lucky, your best friend will want the blanching water too!
*The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors the levels of mercury and industrial chemicals that end up in fish, both fresh- and saltwater; updates regarding contamination are readily available.
The Bark is the award-winning magazine of modern dog culture—it speaks to the committed dog enthusiast—and is the indispensable guide to life with dogs, showing readers how to live smartly and rewardingly with their canine companions. Bark is the recognized expert on the social/cultural world of dogs in America, and what they mean to us. Click here for your FREE issue.
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Read more: Dogs, Pets, natural pet remedies, pet food, pet health
By Roschelle Heuberger, PhD, The Bark
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I'm pleased to hear that the USA is finally catching up with the rest of the world - Canada normally…
thank you
very useful tips, thanks for sharing
Excellent all!
119 comments
+ add your ownI've been cooking weekly for my dogs for seven years and make enough to last all week. The little bit of kibble I use has flax seed and something for pro-biotic health so they are good one that. This is what I prepare for my gang each week in order:
boiled and deboned chicken
canola oil
brown rice
lentils
split peas
eggs (and shells cleaned baked at 325 for 10 minutes and then ground using a coffee grinder)
canned wild Alaskan salmon
sweet potatoes or canned 100% pumpkin
broccoli/carrots/cauliflower cut up fine using a food processor
bananas
blueberries
oatmeal (I add last in case I need to thicken the food)
I first freeze the 7 containers for about 6 hours and then move them to the fridge. I used large containers before and it would go bad before a week.
My seven dogs ages range from five to eleven and everyone is in excellent health.
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animals evolved from species that lived on raw and wild foods including many plants and fruits etc some of which was digested from the innards of prey. Its a good idea to introduce real food to animals alongside what they are already eating, but do this slowly. Vegetables and fruits do need to be checked on first by your vet as some foods cause certain breeds bloat which is potentially fatal, but animals need the enzymes and plant nutrients just like we do, from real (not 'human') foods.
My dog loves yogurt.
Tuna in springwater as a special after water torture (Jessie HATES baths) or after the vet. Also whenever I make roast veggies I do a few extra peices of pumpkin, but always taste the skin off Jessie has choked on it.
I don’t really give my dogs any people food, even if it’s listed in the ingredients in the natural dog food we buy. Dog foods (at least the good brands) are formulated with specific amounts of healthy ingredients inside and that’s all a dog really needs. We get a good grain-free chicken/turkey meal/duck dog food called Alpha with garbanzo beans, peas, cranberries, blueberries, kelp, etc. I’m probably feeding my dogs better quality food than I feed myself!
Thanks for the list.
thanks
corn isn't easily digestible and is not recommended...also grapes, raisins, dark chocolate, onions, nutmeg, these things can cause kidney failure especially in a smaller animal. Strawberries, sliced raw yams, carrots, spinach, blueberries, apples, bananas, beets (not pickled) all great! dogs don't easily tolerate spicy food and should never be allowed to eat table scrapes that are spicy or left over fat from meat....they are prone to the same kinds of weight gain and heart disease as humans.
Another note....most vets will recommend a certain type of food, especially if it is in their office because they make money promoting that brand for the distributor. Vets are usually not specifically trained in nutrition and are not all that knowledgeable in the facts. Do your own research, you would be surprised. Purina, Science Diet, Pedigree, eukanuba, expensive and not nutritional...all start with a grain. I personally like Canidae or Taste of the Wild (grain free)
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