17 Mar Four easy and cheap store-cupboard staples that can enhance your dog’s diet and keep vets’ bills down
More than 25 million British adults aren’t getting enough fruit and vegetables in their diet – and the same goes for most of the nation’s 13 million dogs.
A balanced, nutritious daily food intake is vital to help keep your pooch happy and healthy. And adding a small amount of some store-cupboard staples to his food is an easy – and cost-effective – way to up his consumption of nutrients and goodness, helping to keep him healthier and happier. Not to mention those unnecessary vets’ costs down.
Swapping out some standard food for low-salt, low-sugar vegetables and fruit alternatives is also a good way to help those who need to lose a little excess weight – as high-fibre veggies add bulk but decrease calorie intake, whilst keeping him full.
Here, Rob Steele, from global pet brand PetSafe®, shares his top four additions for cheap, easy and healthier doggy mealtimes. But remember to introduce them slowly – and always in moderation – to avoid any stomach issues, and don’t replace any more than a quarter of their normal diet each day.
Include cooked or finely chopped vegetables
One study shows that dogs that eat any green leafy vegetables – such as spinach, lettuce, Brussels sprouts and broccoli – reduced their risk of developing bladder cancer by 90%. For those canines who consumed yellow and orange varieties, such as carrots, their risk was reduced by 70%.
They’re also an excellent source of water – lettuce, broccoli and Brussels sprouts are made up of more than 85% of it – so their addition, especially to dry food, is an effective way to add fluids that will help your dog stay hydrated, which is really important. Cucumbers, lettuce, broccoli and Brussels sprouts are more than 85% water.
Vegetables also make a great healthy snack, training treat and food topper for dogs and, although they can be fed raw, they’re more easily absorbed – and nutritious – when steamed or boiled. But remember to wash them before serving, always cut them into bite-sized pieces to avoid choking and don’t add any oil, butter or flavourings.
But remember to avoid onion and garlic at all costs, as they’re poisonous for pooches.
Feed them fresh fruit
Berries are the best, especially blueberries which are low in calories, high in vitamin C, fibre and antioxidants. They’ve even been shown to improve night vision, help prevent cell damage and help with mental function in aging animals.
Cranberries are another great safe snack or topper for dogs – and are considered superfood for them too. They’re also high in fibre and antioxidants, and contain vitamins C, E, K, B1, and B2, as well as manganese and copper, which are all essential for good health. Melon is another good option – being high in fibre, low in calories and full of vitamins and minerals. And, being over 90% water, it’s also great for hydration – as is cucumber.
But remember, don’t feed grapes or raisins as these can cause kidney failure in dogs, and watch the calories as it’s easy to overdo it.
Stir in sprouted grains and seeds
Sprouted seeds are another of nature’s superfoods that dogs and their parents should be eating more of. The digestive enzymes they produce will support a dog’s healthy gut microbiome where pH levels can vary considerably. As with humans, good gut health is important for his body to function normally, for his food to be digested and for nutrients to be absorbed.
Eggs are an excellent addition
Eggs are another healthy source of nutrition for your dog. They’re high in protein, fatty acids and vitamins that help support him inside and out – from improving his skin and coat health, to stronger teeth and bones.
They’re best served soft or hard boiled or scrambled – without the shells – and each contains around 70 calories, which makes them a healthy daily diet addition for medium or large breeds. Limit small breeds to just half, and again cut back on the kibble to avoid weight gain.
PetSafe® Brand’s Rob Steele said: “There’s lots that we can be doing to keep our pets healthier and happier. From making sure they’re sufficiently hydrated and stimulated, to enjoying enough exercise and eating enough of the right foods – we’ll be helping to keep him fitter and potentially unnecessary vet treatment costs down.
“We know that the global pet supplements market size was valued at USD 1.9 billion in 2021 (around £1.6 billion) and is expected to increase by a further 5.9% by 2030. This is down to responsible pet parents investing in more than ever in health-led product solutions – such as food, supplements, toys, accessories – o keep them active, healthy, and happy.
“Yet at a time when we’re all watching what we spend, feeding vegetables, fruit and eggs is a great way to keep your dog healthy while also reducing costs of store-bought food. Just like us, our dogs benefit from a variety of foods and nutrients for a balanced diet and these simple cost-effective additions, with their abundance of valuable nutrients, can be very valuable for dog health and wellbeing.”
