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Importance of a Healthy Diet

Importance of a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is key to your wellbeing – and also your dog’s. From puppyhood into old age, a balanced and nutritious diet is crucial to your dog’s development, vitality, and longevity. A poor diet can cause low energy, behavioral problems like anxiety or aggression, as well as numerous health problems. Today, over 50% of dogs are overweight which is linked to conditions like osteoarthritis and hypothyroidism as well as a shorter lifespan of two and a half years on average. Furthermore, many dogs are fed a highly processed commercial diet, like kibble, which frequently doesn’t address a dog’s unique needs. Pet food production also lacks adequate safety and quality standards which means your dog’s food can be made with diseased meats cooked at temperatures that create carcinogens. Yuck. While we recognize the convenience and cost-effectiveness of kibble, we encourage pet owners to feed fresh food as much as possible to support their best friend’s health. We view kibble like cereal – a fortified food that may provide all necessary vitamins and minerals – but we don’t eat cereal three times a day, so why should our dogs?

We created this handy guide to help guide you to make more educated decisions on your pet’s diet:

  • Dogs fed commercial diets may not get adequate nutrients, as studies suggest commercial foods may contain ingredients not listed on the label or exclude ingredients that are. That's in addition to the poor quality and safety standards that producers are held to.
    • You can always add fresh food to your dog’s diet. Throw in some blueberries to your dog’s bowl for an antioxidant benefit or even drizzle some kefir over their food for a gut boost. For some veggies, add North Hound Life’s Organic Veggie Boost Supplement which includes a blend of organic kale, spinach, broccoli, beets, coconut, and ginger. It’s like a salad in a jar!
    • You can also use Four Leaf Rover’s Kibble Fixer which helps restore nutrients missing in cooked and processed foods. This kibble fixer contains digestive enzymes, antioxidants, and probiotics.
  • Puppies require specific nutrients to support their rapid growth and development. Omega-3 fatty acids can make a great addition to your young dog’s diet, as studies suggest DHA, a specific type of omega-3, supports brain development as well as boost learning and trainability in puppies.
    • DHA is important in brain and retinal development in small animals, making up 10 to 20% of fat found in the brain which is why it’s believed to play a big role in brain development, attention, memory, and trainability. Omega-3’s can also support heart health, skin and coat quality, the immune system, and joint health.
    • Sardines, anchovies, salmon, mackerel, trout, and herring are great sources of omega-3’s to incorporate in your dog’s diet. You can also use Fera Pets' Fish Oil which is formulated with the highest concentration of DHA available and includes vitamin E to improve bioavailability (or help the body absorb the fish oil better). Effective and convenient!
  • Senior dogs need a healthy diet to help support their (unfortunately inevitable) aging process. Like humans, older dogs can struggle with decreasing energy levels as well as cognitive decline. MCT oil can make a great addition to your older dog’s diet, as studies suggest it improves learning, memory, and cognitive function in older dogs.
    • MCTs are “medium-chain triglycerides” and are a common nutrient found in vegetable oils such as coconut oil. MCTs are rapidly absorbed by the body and are quickly converted to energy which improves brain function.
    • You can purchase coconut oil at your local supermarket to add to your dog’s diet or find MCT’s in CocoTherapy’s TriPlex MCT-3 Oil or their Organic Virgin Coconut Oil.
  • Dogs with behavioral problems (such as anxiety or aggression) could benefit from a fresher diet and supplements, as studies suggest a relationship between gut bacteria and the brain called the “gut-brain axis.” Like humans, the gut influences the brain and impacts neural development, brain biochemistry, and behavior. Studies suggest certain bacteria is believed to calm the brain, while others may promote depression and anxiety which can lead to behavioral problems in dogs.
    • Altering your dog’s microbiome through a fresh diet may help behavior and mood, and studies suggest that probiotics may also be effective.
    • You can add fermented foods to your dog’s diet (e.g. kefir, vegetables), or you can try Fera Pets’ Calming Supplement which includes a blend of L-Theanine and GABA along with a clinically-studied probiotic strain (L. Paracasei LPC-37) that promotes relaxation and reduces stress.