We all know just how important vitamins and minerals are for our diet. Helping to support our bodies such as our circulatory, digestive and skeletal systems, without them our bodies simply wouldn’t stay as healthy as it should. So, when it comes to the health of our canine companions, we need to ensure they receive all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients they need so throughout their life they have everything they need to keep their tails wagging and paws running to their hearts content.
From added supplements to maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, ensuring their nutritional intake is packed with pawfuls of vitamins and minerals isn’t as complicated as it looks. With just some simple additions to their daily diet, you can provide your pooch with everything they need to stay healthy and wholesome.
Antioxidants
We hear the term ‘antioxidant’ thrown around quite commonly when referring to specific fruits and vegetables but what actually are antioxidants and how do they help the health of our pets?
Well, an antioxidant is a special type of molecule responsible for keeping our cells free from damage. As the cells in our body ages, they come across what are known as free radicals, these are molecules that change how the cells react in our bodies and are responsible for the creation of illness and disease. Antioxidants help counteract the actions of these free radicals helping to reduce the likelihood of the free radicals transforming damaged cells into disease and supporting the immune system to stay fit and healthy.
The most familiar anti-oxidants to both us and our pets are: Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Beta-Carotene. Found in most of our favourite fruits and vegetables these amazing antioxidants are responsible for cleansing the liver, reducing inflammation and helping to fight illnesses. Here’s how 5 a day can really help keep the vet away:
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Vitamin C can be found in fruits such as oranges, pineapples and papaya and veggies such as broccoli and spinach.
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Leafy greens are a great dietary supplement for our furry friends as foods such as kale and spinach are loaded with Vitamin E helping to support healthy heart, eyes, and skin.
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Beta-carotene is an orange-like pigment found in many root vegetables which converts in Vitamin A – the antioxidant responsible for cardiovascular maintenance and immune health. Found in foods such as carrots, sweet potato and a variety of squashes, these flavoursome foods are a great way of adding a little extra TLC to your dog’s diet.
Minerals
Aside from vitamins and antioxidants, minerals are a vital part of your dog’s diet. Responsible for maintaining a healthy cardiovascular and skeletal system, minerals are an important factor in our dogs staying happy and healthy throughout their life.
Some of the most important minerals our dog’s need are calcium and magnesium as these are responsible for ensuring our dog’s joints and bones stay healthy and lubricated. Just like us humans, as dog’s age they are prone to bone disorders such as arthritis so keeping on top of your dog’s bone health is vital to their health later in life. Requiring supple joints for running, playing, jumping or activities (especially for working dogs) adding fruits and vegetables (like leafy greens) is a great way to support your dog’s skeletal system throughout their life.
We all know how much our furry friends love a banana and peanut butter treat but did you know that this classic combination has more health benefits than you might think. Potassium is a mineral vital for the maintenance of healthy heart, healthy nerves and healthy muscles. Without potassium, our dog’s mobility and cardiovascular system is affected often leading to serious lethargy and depletion of energy levels. Loaded with potassium, bananas are a great way off adding pawfuls of potassium to your dog’s diet. Simple slice and serve or add banana-based rewards to their diet to help keep their muscles in tip top shape.
Vitamins
Vitamins are some of the most essential nutrients our dogs need to live a long and happy life. Vitamins such as C, A and K are responsible for healthy immune system. Helping to fight off illness and diseases, consuming their five a day can certainly help keep the vet away.
When it comes to healthy coat and skin, Vitamin E and Omega 3, found in leafy greens like spinach, kale and broccoli, ensure your dog’s coat is looking and feeling soft, supple and fresh from itchy irritations.
Providing your pooch with toppers for their food in the form of sliced and diet fruit and vegetable can increase their vitamin intake without the need of unpleasant or hard to consume supplements that our furry friend often avoid in their bowls.
Incorporating Antioxidants, Minerals, and Vitamins into Your Dog's Diet
If your sat wondering about ways you can increase nutritional intake in your furry friend, we are here to provide a plethora of ways you can help keep your furry friend healthier than ever before. From adding in raw foods to choosing healthier treats, here’s our top ways of adding vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to your dog’s daily diet.
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Have any leftover fruit and vegetables in your fridge or pantry? Try adding a few slices of raw green apple, banana or orange to your dog’s bowl in the morning to start their day with a healthy kick of Vitamins, minerals and amazing anti-oxidants. Prepare any fruit without seeds and skin as they can be both a choking hazard and sometimes lead to digestive upset.
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Adding supplements to your dog’s diet is a fantastic way of giving their bodies a little extra TLC. Available in both pet stores and online, joint support minerals (such as glucosamine and chondroitin that can’t be found in anything other than meat-based products) are fantastic for senior dogs who need some care with their movement and mobility
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Invest in healthy and wholesome treats. Plant-based dental sticks and healthy bites are a great way of increasing your dog’s nutritional intake. Loaded with human-grade ingredients packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, these scrumptious snacks are the pawfect way of supplementing your dog’s daily diet.
Boost their Bodies Today
With pawfuls of ways to help your dog be happier and healthier their spring, there is no better time like the present to add a little extra boost to their bowls and provide your dog with the nutrition they need to be healthier, happier and more wholesome.