What Is The Healthiest Food To Feed Your Dog [Ranked]
When it comes to the healthiest food to feed your dog, you want to ensure your favorite pooch is eating just as well as you do. But what is the healthiest food to feed your dog exactly? There are now hundreds of foods to choose from and some of them have been already proven.
Take chicken for example. It’s one of the healthiest sources of protein for your dog. Most dogs love chicken and the nutritional value of its protein is almost hard to match, especially as it’s not as expensive as other foods.
The 9 best and healthiest foods to feed your dog
After analyzing scientific data, we concluded that the following foods are the healthiest for your dog. Make sure to try them out on your canine to see the reaction you get and how your pet feels after only eating healthy foods.
1. Bone broth
Bone broth is one of the best foods you can feed your dog. Made with a simmering technique, it offers nutrients that are quick to absorb. One of the ingredients in bone broth (gelatin) is known to soothe the digestive system. At all stages of your pet’s life (especially in the early months), bone broth can be helpful to fix a leaky gut.
As you might already know, bone broth is also helpful in alleviating joint pain. This is something your dog can suffer from at the moment and it’s worth checking out how bone broth can be used as a natural remedy against very common joint pain either during the growing stages or in late adult life.
2. Organ meat
You see organs such as liver, kidneys, or brain listed among the ingredients of dog food often. But is it there anything special about organs or are they just filler ingredients? It turns out organs are very nutrient-dense which means they offer a lot of nutrition in small quantities.
Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamins B are common in organs. They play an essential role in good dog health. Amino acids are also present here and they can be used to support both muscles and brain functions. But organs also come with ribonucleic acid which is known for building strength and endurance.
3. Chicken
Chicken remains one of the best sources of lean protein. It can be one of the meats that are easy to purchase as well. You can shop for the best chicken at your local shop. However, you can’t feed raw chicken to your dog. You need to cook it to ensure there’s no salmonella risk.
Apart from being high in proteins, chicken is also high in Omega fatty acids and B Vitamins. This is why it has high nutritional value and as long as its properly cooked and raised with no hormones, it can be a long-term food your dog enjoys daily.
4. Beef
Beef is another top source of lean protein. Its tasty profile makes it one of the most valuable foods to consider for your growing or adult dog. It takes a bit longer to digest than chicken and it can be a bit more filling as well.
You shouldn’t server raw beef to your dog, however. As with chicken, you need to cook it first. You can boil or grill beef so that your dog enjoys healthy food free from harmful bacteria. Adding spices to the beef is not recommended as dogs don’t react well to them.
5. Carrots
Carrots can be delicious healthy snacks for the right dog. While not all dogs eat raw carrots, those who do can see a range of health benefits. Carrots are associated with better vision, mostly due to their beta-carotene content. But there’s more to carrots than Vitamin A.
Teeth health is one of the areas where vets recommend carrots. Plaque is naturally removed when chewing carrots and this means your dog can enjoy healthier teeth when eating carrots on occasion. Then there are the high fiber content carrots come with. Useful for runny stools, carrots are your best friend for a clean house and a clean backyard. The best part is that carrots are rather inexpensive for the benefits they come with.
6. Green beans
High in vitamins (A, C, and K) and magnesium, green beans are often the go-to option of many dog food brands as a source of energy. But green beans are often recommended by vets for overweight dogs. Putting your dog on a diet is not easy. For this purpose, you’ll have to cook the green beans and serve them with no other ingredient to boost the dog’s metabolism.
Green beans are also high in magnesium which has a role in the overall musculature and the skeletal system of the dog. Movement is supported by magnesium and it is a nutrient that abounds in green beans and other green vegetables. Seen as a safe ingredient, green beans can be a large part of your dog’s diet as it’s used in quantities between 5% and 50% in dog food.
7. Salmon
Salmon is the priciest type of protein but also arguably the healthiest food to feed your dog. If you’re unsure about what is the healthiest dog food to buy, you need to look at salmon. If you can afford raw salmon or salmon-based foods, your dog might thank you for it. Unlike other sources of meat, salmon is packed with healthy fatty acids and a complete amino acid profile.
You can cook salmon properly in the oven as you want to avoid feeding it raw to your dog at all costs. High in Omega 3 fatty acids, salmon is beneficial to the immune system and it can be an excellent food source during the winter. Salmon can also be used to fight dry skin, together with the right shampoo. If salmon is too expensive for you, there are cheaper options such as tuna or herring.
8. Pumpkin
Dogs need good carbohydrates alongside protein. Vitamins, minerals, and fiber are found in pumpkin, often named as the healthiest food to feed your dog f As with green beans, pumpkin is also known for its high nutritional value without packing the extra calories. As a result, you can replace regular meals of your dog with pumpkin-based meals extra weight is a problem.
Pumpkin can be cooked in the oven but you should also refrain from adding unnecessary ingredients to it such as salt or pepper. Make sure to mix it with a source of protein to offer your dog a complete healthy meal made at home. How much food to feed a dog that eats pumpkin? You should aim at 2 daily meals for an adult dog comprising of pumpkin and a source of protein such as chicken.
9. Oatmeal
Most of the foods listed above take hours to absorb. But there’s one quick source of carbohydrates that can be absorbed by the digestive system quickly, offering plenty of energy for the rest of the day. How long does it take a dog to digest food such as oatmeal? It only takes 90 to 120 minutes for it to pass through the digestive system.
Oatmeal is one of the healthiest foods you can serve to your dog. In fact, the FDA issued a warning on why grain-free food is bad since it can cause cardiomyopathy. However, oatmeal is beneficial as it digests quickly and it’s an excellent addition to dog food served in the morning so that your mutt has plenty of energy for the rest of the day.
All of these foods can be prepared in advance and frozen to serve as needed. Your dog needs a selection of healthy foods for a healthy life as feeding it chocolate and muffins are not the best alternatives. Most dogs need protein-rich food and with the examples seen above completed by high-quality vegetables, the path to a healthy life becomes shorted for any dog breed.
