Believe it or not, not all dog foods were created equal. There are some foods that are superior to others. Superfoods are a good example!

But what are superfoods for dogs? And which foods specifically are they?

Hang tight and read on as we go through our list of 5 superfoods that will have your dog healthy and happy one bite at a time.

Superfoods for dogs help multiple systems and organs in your dog’s body to maintain optimum health and function once ingested.

1. Coconut Oil

Whether you use it as a hair conditioner, lip balm or skin moisturizer; the new coconut oil craze has surely taken organic health fanatics by storm and pet parents have not been spared either.

The health benefits of coconut oil are numerous with studies revealing that coconut milk (the source of coconut oil) contains the same medium chain fatty acids as those found in get this…human breast milk!

The secret behind coconut oil’s supernatural benefits is in its fats. “Fats?” I can almost hear you asking yes, I said fats.

90% of coconut oil’s makeup is saturated fats known as medium chain triglycerides.

Medium chain fatty acid’s primary component; lauric acid is perhaps coconut oil’s most potent secret health weapon.

Lauric acid’s antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties are what give coconut oil it’s high medicinal value allowing it to aid in a myriad of health and bodily functions in dogs such as improvement of digestion, thyroid health and metabolic functions.

Medium chain fatty acids are also directly absorbed into the g1 tract and straight into the liver where they are broken down to provide fuel and energy to assist dogs to perform at higher level of energy and vitality.

For a more expensive list of health benefits of coconut oil for your dog here’s a more specific list of body organs and the particular health benefits to your dog it aids with.

Skin:

1 – Helps to clear skin conditions like eczema, itchy skin and contact dermatitis in dogs.

2 – Topical application aids in the healing of wounds, cracked pads, hot spots, bites and stings.

3 – Inhibits and treats fungal and yeast infections in dogs.

4 – Promotes a sleek and glossy coat on dogs.

Dog’s Immune System:

It’s triple threat antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral combo of properties helps prevent dog disease and infection and has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer in dogs.

[thrive_text_block color=”note” headline=””]ALSO READ: 5 Tips To Make Your Dog Live Longer [/thrive_text_block]

Metabolism:

1 – Balances the thyroid in dogs.

2 – Regulates and controls insulin in blood this helping to prevent diabetes in healthy dogs and control it in those already suffering from it.

3 – Energy broken down from its medium chain fatty acids provides fuel energy which can be used by dogs to undertake a series of athletic, energy intensive activities which in turn aid in weight loss.

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Brain:

Prevents Dementia by promoting nerve and brain function.

Eyes and Ears:

Used as an eye or ear drop melted into either, it can help to clear up eye or ear infections in dogs.

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Contrary to public opinion, coconut oil has been shown to be safe for a wide variety of pets and animals including dogs. Stored properly it can last for up to 2 years as it has a higher heat stability even in very hot climate.

Be sure to purchase only cold pressed virgin or extra virgin coconut oil as this is the natural extract of coconut milk extracted without heating or processing.

Like with any new diet be sure to contact your vet before adding this to your pup’s diet of he happens to be sensitive to a high fat diet.

Coconut Oil also tends to be a natural laxative so add in only a quarter of a tablespoon as you introduce it into your dog’s diet to avoid loose stool and or diarrhea caused by the extra oil being absorbed into your dog’s digestive system.

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2. Bone Broth

Have you ever noticed how wild carnivores like lions’ have teeth in mint condition despite the raw meat and bone diet?

Bone Broth is a great addition to your pup’s nutritional diet and we’ll save you a lot of dollars in trips to the vet to maintain your furry friend’s oral hygiene.

Bone Broth, both easy to prepare and rich in health benefits is one of the most nutritious superfoods for dogs you can add to your pup’s diet today.

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Filled with glycosaminoglycans like glucosamine bone broth protects your dog’s joints through its rich combo of compounds such as chondroitin and hyaluronic acid.

Glycine an amino acid found in your dog’s liver, is key in helping your dog’s liver detoxify the tons of toxins in your dog’s food and water everyday.

Bone broth is loaded with glycine and will help your furry friend detoxify all those toxins he or she picks up running around the lawn all day.

Digested nutrients enter the body through millions of tiny holes that line up the wall of your dog’s intestines.

With time poor diet and growth of bacteria can cause these holes to open or become larger thus resulting in undigested food and yeast particles seeping into your dog’s body. This may lead to allergies and infesctions in your dog.

Bone broth contains gelatin; a sticky substance that helps to hold these holes together and prevent these undigested food and yeast particles from seeping into your dog’s bloodstream.

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

3. Superfood supplement for dogs

Superfood supplement for dogs can be used to do one of two things; fill a void in your dog’s diet or to address a specific health condition in your dog.

When it comes to maintaining positive health in your dog prevention is a whole lot better and cheaper than cure.

Most pet parents make the mistake of waiting until it is too late to add superfood supplements to their dog’s health.

A joint support supplement added early can help for example to prevent your dog from developing joint disease that hampers his orthopedic function, waiting until your dog has severely severed his joints to add the supplement would be quite foolhardy and contrary to pet parent wisdom.

So what are superfood supplements for dogs?

– Whole food multivitamins.

– Digestive enzymes.

– Essential oils such as fish oil which help to fight arthritis and cancer and serve to increase brain function in dogs and aid in healthy aging.

– Joint support supplements such as glucosamine and MSM.

– Probiotics – antibiotics, the opposite of probiotics are designed to help wipe out illness-causing bacteria.

However in the process of weeding out these pathogenic, disease causing bacteria, antibiotics also weed out some of those favourable bacteria from your dog’s guy that it needs to assist with proper digestion, eliminate toxins and to efficiently absorb nutrients.

Your dog’s body, contrary to popular belief requires some healthy bacteria to perform the functions stated above and needs a proper bacterial balance in order to minimize bad breath, loose stool and even fur balls. Probiotics help to re-establish that balance.

4. Blueberries

Blueberries are rich in Fiber and Vitamin C both of which are touted to lower risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Rich in antioxidants, blueberries are especially helpful in getting rid of free radicals in dogs a fete that helps it reduce the risk of cancer in your dog.

Their low sugar content also means that bluberries would serve as an efficient superfood treat for dogs that can be served even to dogs suffering from diabetes without adding too many calories to their diet.

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5. Kefir

Kefir is simply fermented goat milk.

Kefir contains tons of friendly yeast and bacteria that can prevent the overgrowth of harmful yeast and bacteria such as Candida which causes candidiasis in dogs.

It is choke full of vitamins, mineral and natural probiotics and has been shown to fight a wide range of diseases such as salmonella and E. coli.

Pancreatis, joint disease and skin psoriasis also make the list of diseases this healthy bowl of fermented milk will help you prevent from ever reaching your dog.