I’ve learned about the many superfoods for people but I hadn’t really thought about superfoods for pets until recently!
I’ve owned cats in the past but that was before I even thought about superfoods for myself much less for my cats.
Now that we have a dog and we are much more health conscious I’ve learned about superfoods for our furry friend, too.
Here are some of the superfoods for dogs and cats I discovered.
Superfoods For Dogs
Related: 10 Superfoods for a healthy brain
Pumpkin
Is your dog suffering from either constipation or diarrhea?
If so, then here is a little-known trick that can save both you and your dog a lot of discomfort and mess.
It’s Pureed pumpkin!
It is a high fiber and high beta-carotene food.
The moisture content and high fiber can help adjust your dog’s stool so that it can have a much more normal elimination.
Beware though, because too much pumpkin can be toxic to your pet. Only a small amount is needed, depending on the size of your dog.
For small dogs, try 1 – 2 teaspoons.
For large dogs try 1 – 2 tablespoons.
Be sure to contact the vet if you have concerns.
TIP: If pumpkins are difficult to come by, you can find pumpkin puree in a can. Be sure that it isn’t spicy pie filling.
Blueberries
Apparently, these powerful berries have many of the same benefits for your dog as they do for you!
Blueberries are a hefty blast of antioxidants, vitamins, phytochemicals, and flavonoids that help with healthy aging and a host of other benefits.
The next time you go to the grocery store, be sure to pick up some extra berries for you both!
TIP: Dogs love frozen blueberries. Freeze a handful of berries to give your furry friend a flavorful fun treat!
Related: Are Essential Oils Safe For Dogs?
Apples
If you’re someone that spends a lot of time with your dog, and they love being close to your face, this might be of particular interest to you.
Apples are excellent for dogs because are high in fiber and can help to clean the food particles from their gums and teeth which will help reduce bad breath.
It is important however to make sure that you remove the core and seeds so that they don’t have a risk of choking.
Be sure to remove the core and seeds so that they don’t accidentally choke.
TIP: Cut the apple into slices or cubes so it’s easier for them to eat.
Coconut Oil
Oils are excellent for both people and your dogs.
Coconut oil can be fed to them with food or applied directly to their skin and fur.
It can also relieve indigestion, diminish allergic reactions and can help them to naturally improve their immune system functionality due to its lauric acid content.
Coconut oil is well known for its positive effect on bone health and development, as well as its ability to promote joint health.
Another important impact that it can have is its antifungal and antibacterial properties.
TIP: A good rule is a ¼ teaspoon for every 20 pounds.
Chia Seeds
Some pets may have a sensitivity to fish or fish oils that are available for consumption.
If this is the case, then you may want to try an alternative in the form of chia seeds.
These versatile little seeds are highly nutritious for your dog, and they are a good source of omega 6 fatty acids.
These fatty acids can help your dog have healthier skin, fur, and nails.
TIP: You can add them to meat patties for a delicious and special dog treat!
Quinoa
These powerful little seeds are gluten free and can be a great supplement for your dog due to their substantial amount of important amino acids.
You will, however, want to serve it in small, cooked amounts due to the oxalates in them.
Oxalates in large doses can raise the acidity in their urine and cause your dog to develop bladder or kidney stones if they ingest too much.
The positive thing about serving small portions is that a batch you cook for your dog can last several days, and can be used in a wide variety of recipes
TIP: Cooking quinoa is much like rice. I cup uncooked to 2 cups water. boil quinoa for 15 – 20 minutes. Fluff with fork. You can now add a few tablespoons to dry food, left over meats, and other ingredients to make a delicious and flavorful meal for your dog.
Kale
This large and somewhat bitter member of the brassica family could also be a fun and nutritious addition to your dog’s diet.
This leafy green is high in vitamins C and K, which are great for immune health and blood clotting.
It also contains magnesium, potassium, and calcium.
Just be sure to be careful with this plant as well. It is another vegetable that contains oxalates, so you may want to give them small amounts at first to see if your dog is sensitive to it before giving them a full portion. If all goes well, you can increase the amounts slowly.
TIP: You can thinly slice a small amount to mix with their food to add a little bit of texture and nutrition. You can even steam the kale to soften it up a bit.
Superfoods For Cats
Indoor cats often chew on house plants, but some decorative plants can be poisonous to cats. This is a short list of vegetables that you can give your cat to help
This is a short list of vegetables that you can give your cat to help satisfy its urge to eat plants and grass.
Dandelion
There are a number of herbs that are also great for cats.
Dandelions contain flavonoids that help to act as blood cleansers. The milk thistle of the dandelion is also an effective kidney and liver cleanser.
Cats with skin issues will also benefit greatly from mixtures made with dandelion due to its cortisol content.
Another key feature of this marvelous plant is that it not only stimulates the system and urine production, but it also adds potassium to the system after it’s been lost.
TIP: If your cat is overweight, you can make a mixture of greens with dandelion to help with digestion and weight loss.
Related: Superfoods for weight loss
Broccoli
Some cats really love broccoli. It is full of vitamins and essential minerals like B6, E, selenium, zinc, phosphorus, and Omega 3 fatty acids.
It can help them with digestion and is also very high in fiber so it can keep their little bowels moving along in a healthy way.
Try giving your cat some broccoli and see if they like it.
Tip: Steam the broccoli to varied amounts of softness and let them try it.
Cantaloupe
It’s been well-documented that cats have a strange attraction to cantaloupe.
This particular melon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins K, B1, B3, and B6, as well as magnesium.
Just be careful that you don’t allow them to eat so much of it that they get a stomach ache.
TIP: Cut some cantaloupe into small squares so that your little furry friend can grab and eat them easily. If you want to make it a real treat you can add some meat.
Related: Superfood Cleansing System For Fast Weight Loss
Cranberries
A lot of people wonder if cats can eat cranberries. They can!
Cranberries are a good source of vitamins K, E, and C. They also contain essential trace minerals like iron, manganese, copper, and iron.
Some cats may benefit from small amounts of these natural supplements to help them with neurological disorders.
Aside from that, cranberries are anti-inflammatory and can give a little relief from minor inflammations.
TIP: You can try mixing a few cranberries with some fresh tuna to give your cat some an immune boost.
Yogurt
The idea of giving dairy to cats has become so deeply ingrained in people that you see this trope in all sorts of old cartoons and stories for all ages, but the truth is that only kittens should drink milk and only before they are weaned.
Adult cats are typically lactose intolerant and should not drink milk.
It’s been noted that soft cheeses like camembert, boursault, or brie should not be given to your cats. These are likely to make them ill.
Yogurt, however, can be eaten by them, and lots of cats enjoy it!
There are some health benefits in the form of vitamins and minerals, but keep in mind that cats won’t benefit from the probiotics in yogurt due to the amount of bacteria being so minute.
TIP: Plain yogurt is best since flavorings might not seem as natural to your cat and they are likely to avoid eating it.
Spinach
As mentioned before, cats will turn to eating vegetation for different reasons, usually stemming from digestion issues.
If you notice your cat is in the mood to chew on some grass, give them some spinach.
It is a great source of iron, copper, vitamin B2, folate, vitamin K, choline, and protein, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc, protein, and choline.
The fiber in it may help to sweep your furry companions stomach, but as always, start out with small amounts.
TIP: Try shredding or slicing the spinach into very thin cuts so that it resembles grass.
Place it into a bowl with fresh or canned tuna to get your cat excited for their awesome treat!
Carrots
Both tasty and full of vitamins, carrots are an accessible source of trace minerals and vitamins that help to promote health, healing, and organ function.
Cats will eat small amounts of carrots if it’s mixed with their regular food.
TIP: Be sure to feed them cooked carrots and cut it into very small pieces to add to your kitty’s food mixture.
Superfoods Will Help Your Pet Live Longer
I wouldn’t have ever thought of feeding dogs and cats those foods.
However, I know that by giving our pets the healthiest foods possible it will help them live longer and increase their quality of life.
We usually buy our dog food on Amazon and try to get better quality food.
I admit it’s hard sometimes to justify the expense but I think it’s only fair to give them quality and less toxic food when we can.
The girls fed our dog some blueberries this week and she loved them.
What about you? Do you feed your dog or cat any of these foods?
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