10 Superfoods for Dogs, you must Feed!

An ancient Ayurveda proverb reads:

"If the diet is wrong, medicine if of no use. If the diet is correct, medicine is of no need."

This encapsulates the importance of diet in any animal's life. And, nature knows the best when it comes to guiding us on what is good and what is bad for our stomach and the digestive system.

To understand what is a balanced and complete diet for dogs, it is important to understand their evolution and anatomy. Dogs have evolved from Wolves and are very closely related to them (so much so that some breeds can interbreed with wolves!). Hence, they are carnivores despite of being domesticated for so many years. Evolution is a many thousand years process.

There are certain 'superfoods' and 'functional foods' that can help your dog with good and balanced health. Let's look at them in no particular order:

1. Berries: Berries such as Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries and Cranberries contain a lot of phytonutrients and anti-oxidants - that slow damage to cells in your dog’s body. They’ve been shown to help reduce the risk of some cancers, and protect brain cells and memory function. 

2. Raw Honey: Raw honey contains antibacterial and immunity-boosting enzymes. It's sweet, filled with antioxidants, provides the benefits of several vitamins and minerals, provides relief from allergies and skin irritations, and gives your dog a quick energy boost when they need it. Raw honey is beneficial for most adult dogs, in moderation. However, it is not advisable to give it to puppies. 

3. Turmeric: Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin – which is essentially its active ingredient. Curcumin for dogs has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, wound healing and anticancer activities. It can help fight diseases like arthritis, diabetes, cancer, liver disease, gastrointestinal issues and more. There are over 6,000 studies showing the health benefits of turmeric for dogs and people. 

4. Carrots: Carrots contain beta-carotene which produces Vitamin A, that can boost immune health, support eye health, and improve your dog’s skin and coat. Carrots also contain a lot of fiber, which is good for the digestive tract. Raw carrots are a healthy, low-calorie snack (and chewing them is great for your dog’s teeth and gums).

5. Eggs:  Eggs are a “superfood" positively packed with the good stuff. They are perfect proteins. Incorporating them into your dog's diet promote healthy digestion, build strong bones, and provide a convenient dose of vitamins A, D, E and K.

6. Pumpkin: Pumpkin is a superfood for dogs. It contains essential micronutrients and fibre that make it a very nutritious treat.Pumpkin contains vitamins like A, C, and E, as well as minerals like iron and potassium.Besides being a natural stomach soother, pumpkin also helps to remove excess water in a dog's digestive tract.  Pet parents have relied on pumpkin for a long time to reduce instances of diarrhoea in their dogs.

7. Apples: Apples are a fantastic addition to your dog’s diet; they provide vitamin A, vitamin C and dietary fibre. They also provide a way to keep your dog’s teeth clean and helps to freshen their breath! However, you should be sure to remove the core and the seeds of the apple before giving it to your dog. The seeds contain a very low amount of cyanide, though this chemical is only released when they are chewed and, as in people, swallowing a couple of pips is unlikely to cause problems.

8. Spinach: Spinach – Popeye’s favorite food – contains beneficial nutrients and antioxidants that your dog needs. Prepared correctly and in the proper amounts, this low-calorie, leafy green vegetable can improve your dog’s overall health. Spinach boosts the immune system, increases energy levels, and prevents some types of cancer.

9. Fish: Oily fishes are bursting with Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s can do wonders for your dog’s skin, coat and brain; it can also inhibit inflammatory processes that cause arthritic pain and other chronic canine conditions. Fish are also an excellent protein source, with many essential vitamins and minerals. If you can't cook fish at home, you can get Organic Fish Jerky from a store or you can also give Flax Seeds!

10. TailBlaze Organic & Raw Food: Raw and unprocessed foods preserve all nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes needed by dogs, which are otherwise destroyed when the food is 'cooked' or goes under heavy processing like kibbles. Raw food means: Glossier Coat & Skin, Proper Weight management, Lesser Allergies and Smaller Poops for dogs. TailBlaze food also contains some of the above ingredients such as Turmeric, Pumpkin, Spinach, Eggs and Flax Seeds to name a few. This means: no hassle of making a balanced diet for your dog. By just adding water to TailBlaze food - you can get a complete and balanced meal for your dogs within 2 minutes. It has been loved by more than 2000 dogs already, too!