If you are still not feeding raw, I would love to hear what is stopping you. Send us an email and let us know. I’m truly curious to hear what is holding you back. In the meantime, I want to share some dog food add-ins to make kibble a little healthier for your dog by adding some fresh food. It’s true, that not all kibble is created equal, but even when selecting the best kibble you can find on the market, a lot of the nutrients are lost during the high-heat process. And let’s not talk about the flavor enhancers and preservatives.
Regardless of what your reason is for feeding dry dog food, you should consider adding some of these to your dog’s bowl. Did you know that giving your dog fresh food is one of the best things you can do for him/her?
Sardines
Sardines are one of the most harvested fish around the world available pretty much everywhere. They are high in selenium and a great source of omega-3 fatty acids with the lowest levels of mercury of any fish.
They also contain B12, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and are rich in vitamin D.
Sardines are great for the skin and coat
Their omega-3 fatty acid content makes them anti-inflammatory and great for brain health.
Bone Broth
Bone broth is a great way to add nutrients to your dog’s diet and it’s so easy to make, seriously! It’s high in collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid, all of which are amazing for joints and connective tissue. Bone broth is also a good source of minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Popular choices are beef, bison, chicken, turkey, and even fish!
The gelatin in bone broth is said to help with leaky gut syndrome!
If you would like to try making bone broth for your dog at home, here is a great Bone Broth recipe from Dogs Naturally Magazine.
And if you are a busy dog mom like me, I got you! Here are some options for you.
Primal Pet Foods
You can find these at your local natural pet food.
Green Juju Grass-Fed Bison Bone Broth
If you don’t find this near you, you can grab yours from Raw Feeding Miami.
Open Farm Pet
Another great option. Open Farm Pet have an amazing Bone Broth Bundle for dogs that include Turkey, Chicken, and Grass-Fed Beef Bone Broth.
Raw Goat Milk
Raw goat milk is a great source of protein, and it also contains healthy fats, minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. It is especially beneficial for dogs with food allergies, skin problems, and digestive issues.
Why give your dog raw goat milk or organic goat kefir? Aside from the benefits above, let’s not forget about their probiotic content. Raw (unpasteurized) goat milk is said to have over 200 strains of probiotics according to Steve’s Real Food.
Kefir is a type of fermented goat milk, fermentation causes an increase in the milk’s probiotic content. Double win!
You can usually source raw goat milk locally. Although raw milk is banned for human consumption, you can usually find it available for pets. Search for local farmers in your area and give them a call.
Can’t find locate a farmer? Here are some available options:
Green Juju Raw Goat’s Milk through Raw Feeding Miami.
Primal Pet Foods Goat Milk. You can find these available nationwide.
Another option is Answers Pet Food Raw Goat’s Milk Formula.
Both Primal and Answers are pretty much available nationwide. We get ours locally from Natural K9 Supplies.
You can feed goat milk to your dog by adding it to their food or mixing it with other powder supplements for added benefits and serving it as a treat.
[RELATED POST: 7 Natural Dog Supplements and How This Dog Moms is Feeding Them]
Dark Leafy Greens & Orange and Yellow Veggies
There are raw feeders who believe that dogs do not benefit from eating vegetables. I used to be one of them. However, research now suggests that dogs do in fact benefit from the addition of vegetables to their diet. We need to remember that the nutrient content of our ancestral foods was very different than what it is today.
That said, it is important to carefully select the vegetables you feed your dog. Some vegetables, such as onions, can be toxic to dogs.
When adding vegetables to your dog’s food, start with small amounts and gradually increase the amount until you find the right balance for your dog, while making sure to not exceed 25% of his diet. Not all dogs will enjoy the taste of vegetables, so it may take some time for your dog to become accustomed to them.
Here are some great vegetable options to feed your pup:
- Kale
- Spinach
- Carrots
- Broccoli
Why veggies? A recent study revealed that feeding dogs vegetables three times a week lowered their risk of developing urinary bladder cancer! Read all about it here.
How to serve? Pureed is best!
Pureed vegetables are easier for your dog to digest because the pureeing process breaks down the cell walls. When doing so, make sure you blanch root vegetables like carrots.
Want to skip making this at home? Check out these great options available from Green Juju.
Quail Eggs
If you can find them, you should feed them! Quail eggs are small, but have large yolks that are nutrient-dense.
Quail eggs are an excellent source of protein, as well as a variety of vitamins and minerals, and are full of antioxidants. A good little treat!
You can find these at your supermarket or your local farmer’s market.
Feed them by adding one or two to your dog’s bowl, shells and all!
Green Lipped Muscles
Green Lipped Mussels (GLM) are found all over the world but are most commonly sourced from New Zealand. The mussel has a green lip or edge, which is where it gets its name.
GLM are known for their beneficial properties for dogs’ joint health. The mussel is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA, DHA, and ETA, which have been shown to help reduce inflammation and improve joint function.
You can feed GLM to your dog by adding it to their food in powder form, freeze-dried, or fresh.
A study published in 2002 found that GLM was effective in reducing arthritic signs in dogs in a standard diet. The scores for joint pain and joint swelling were significantly reduced following 6 weeks of GLM supplementation.
Another study showed that the “nutrients present in whole freeze-dried GLM powder may act synergistically to reduce inflammation and pain, to limit further cartilage degeneration and, potentially, to support the regeneration of damaged joint cartilage and synovial fluid. The findings of the studies reported here support the conclusion that dietary supplementation with GLM may be of particular benefit in the management of dogs with arthritic signs.”
A 2018 animal study indicated that GLM extracts provided positive effects for the alleviation of mobility-related disorders such as osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease.
We alternate between powder, freeze-dried, and frozen. We buy our green lipped mussels frozen from Raw Feeding Miami. Here are other favorites:
North Hound Life Green Lipped Mussel Powder
You can find these right on their website.
The New Zealand Pet Food Co Freeze Dried Green Lipped Mussels
These are found on Raw Feeding Miami and can be shipped nationwide.
The Hones Kitchen Freeze Dried Blue & Green Mussels
We also love The Honest Kitchen Freeze Dried Blue & Green Mussels, which you can conveniently find on Amazon.
Blueberries
Packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and low in the glycemic index berries are a great punch. Many clinical studies suggest that blueberries show promise as effective anti-cancer agents.
A recent study conducted on sled dogs suggested that dogs fed blueberries while exercising as compared to dogs fed a control diet, may be better protected against oxidative damage. Oxidative damage can lead to things like cell damage and inflammation.
When selecting your berries, always buy organic if available.
This post was all about dog food add-ins. 7 things you can add right now to enhance your dog’s kibble.
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