When it comes to us humans we love a list of superfoods. We pop chia seeds in breakfast smoothies, crunch on cruciferous veg as part of our 5-a-day – and tell ourselves that a piece or two of dark chocolate is, in fact, a healthy necessity.
But what’s a superfood for our dogs? Are they the same or should we treat them differently – because a superfood’s a super food, right?
Well no, not exactly. Chocolate is toxic for dogs, especially dark chocolate. So is garlic, and most nuts (we’re looking at you, Macadamia) are well avoided. To avoid any doubt, here’s our full list of harmful foods here.
The good news is there are heaps of natural, vitamin and mineral-rich foods dogs can eat as a healthy snack. Here are our favourite superfoods heroes that make the top ten.
Tip: If you’re new to giving your dog these as part of their dinner or as a treat, start with a very small serving so there’s less chance of your dog getting an upset stomach. And remember to try one type at a time, not everything all at once.
Blackberries
The hedgerow favourite, as Head Vet Sean says, “Berries are a good source of vitamin C, dietary fibre, potassium and a powerful source of antioxidants in particular plant polyphenols. The powerhouse of the antioxidant world!”
Blueberries
The sweet little purple berry sure packs a healthy punch, with cell-protecting antioxidants to boost immune function. Dogs love the flavour, too.
Did you know? Blueberries are also a source of some Omega 3.
Broccoli
Anything that’s dark green is in superfood territory, and broccoli – as well as being vitamin and mineral rich – is also full of fibre for a healthy gut.
Carrots
Raw or cooked, carrots are rich in beta carotene (an antioxidant) which dogs need to produce the vitamin A they need for their eyesight and healthy immune systems.
Cranberries
This superfood is all about vitamin C and antioxidants, a sweet treat dogs love. We serve these berries in small amounts as treats, baked into Head Vet Sean’s crunchy Apple, Cranberry and Peanut Butter Biscuit bone treats from The Happy Dog Cookbook.
Salmon, oily fish and the gift of Omega 3
We’ve written more about Omega 3 here but for us, salmon is our superfood all-rounder that’s super digestible, and great for dogs of all ages – from growing puppies to seniors.
Spinach
Another dark green superhero, spinach is also a source of vitamins A, C, K, and B6, folate, manganese, magnesium, fibre and potassium.
Squash and pumpkins
Not just for Halloween, squashes (butternut, not Robinson’s) are great cooked or pureed as a fun treat for your dog, and a good source of vitamins A, C and E and B vitamins: thiamine, niacin, pantothenic acid, folate and B6.
Sweet potato
We don’t know where to start with sweet potato. The orange wonder is rich in fibre, potassium and riboflavins – we slow bake ours in the oven for a delicious go-to treat that’s all natural!
Tailored kibble
Ok it’s not a superfood, but when you know your dog’s nutrition is being looked after down to the very last bite. Yes, that’s all their meat, fish or veg proteins, slow-release carbs including sweet potatoes or brown rice, vitamins, healthy fats, and more are totally taken care of, then it deserves an honourable mention.
News to me! Great stuff
Our Finnbar loves Blueberries, Carrots, Salmon & Squash.
Didn’t realize about Blackberries (don’t think I’ll tell him tho, they are my Favorite ?) x
They’re my favourite too!
Glad to know blackberries are good for him as he helps himself from the Bush at the bottom of our garden!!
Nothing nicer than homegrown fruit!
Nellie loves strawberries and raspberries also a slice or two of cucumber
amazing few ideas I didnt know
My Peach is a 10 year old cocker. She has Addisons disease and steroids is part of her medication so she has a tendency to put on weight. By following the Tails recommendation for her kibble portions we have managed to get her weight down from just over 21kg to 19kg (she is weighed at the vets every 4 weeks when she has her injection) she is always hungry and treats were a problem. We discovered that she loves carrots and cucumbers as treats and this has helped us control her diet. She is not far off a 3 in the condition chart.
Many thanks for your help Tails.com
This is so lovely to hear, Glyn. We’re so pleased that Peach is doing so well on her Tails.com food – be sure to give her a big fuss from us.
Ziva & Adina love raw & cooked carrots, I think that’s their favourite veg. They enjoy apples too. They will eat pretty much any veg if I eat it too !
What about banana, apple and pear? Our Dougal loves these as well!
My Dotty (12 yo Cocker Spaniel) insists on her daily carrot and reminds us if we forget!!
I give Fin raw sweet potato and broccoli, he loves it. Should I be cooking it first? He likes the shells of my homegrown peas, and baby runner beans.
Hi Dawn, we’d advise that you gently cook (either by steaming or boiling) the vegetables to make it easier for Fin to digest and absorb all the nutrients from them 😊
My dog loves coming blackberry picking with me. Whilst I’m caught up and scratched to get the best ones he’s down there biting them off the brambles!
My cockapoo loves broccoli salmon carrots asparagus frozen peas and apple but won’t touch a berry or banana lol 😂 but loves his Tails Kibble
Bowie really loves his uncooked greens, especially Brocolli, Kale and Spinach and he loves his carrots too. We have a two for me and one for him kind of arrangement on our walks when it comes to the blackberries tho.
Our girl loves trout but not salmon, raspberries but not blackberries and all the vegetables you mention. She also loves crunchy apple slices. Any concern about the trout, raspberries and apple?