Superfoods For Pets

While we know that there are hundreds of highly effective foods for people available, it 
should come as no surprise to us that a few of the amazing fruits and vegetables we 
enjoy can also be good for our pets, and beyond that, some might even have fantastic 
health benefits for them. If you’re a pet owner who is curious about what might be great 
for your dog or cat, this information will be happy to present a short list of the super 
foods for pets.  
 
Dogs

Apples 

If you’re someone that spends a lot of time with your dog, and they love being close to 
your face, this might be of particular interest to you. Apples are excellent for dogs 
because are high in fiber and can help to clean the food particles from their gums and 
teeth. This will help them to reduce breath odors. It is important however to make sure 
that you remove the core and seeds so that they don’t have a risk of choking.

TIP: Cut the apple into slices or cubes so it’s easier for them to eat. 

Pumpkin

Is your dog is suffering from either constipation or diarrhea? If so, then here is a little 
known trick that can save both you and your dog a lot of discomfort and mess. Pureed 
pumpkin is a high fiber, high beta carotene food. The moisture content and high fiber 
can help adjust your dog’s stool so that they can have much more normal elimination. 
Beware though, because too much pumpkin can be toxic to your pet. Only a small 
amount is needed, depending on the size of your dog. For small dogs, try 1 - 2 
teaspoons. For large dogs try 1 - 2 tablespoons. Consult a doctor if you have any other 
concerns.

TIP: If pumpkins are difficult to come by, you can find pumpkin puree in a can. Be sure 
that it isn’t spicy pie filling.

Blueberries

Apparently, these powerful berries have many of the same benefits for your dog as they 
do for you!  Blueberries are a hefty blast of antioxidants, vitamins, phytochemicals, and 
flavonoids that help with healthy aging and a host of other benefits. The next time you 
go to the grocery store, be sure to pick up some extra berries for you both!

TIP: Dogs love frozen blueberries. Freeze a handful of berries to give your furry friend a 
flavorful fun treat!

Coconut Oil

Oils are excellent for both people and your dogs. Coconut oil can be fed to them with 
food, or applied directly to their skin and fur. Coconut oil can also relieve indigestion, 
diminish allergic reactions and can help them to naturally improve their immune system 
functionality due to its lauric acid content. Coconut oil is well known for its positive effect 
on bone health and development, as well as its ability to promote joint health. Another 
important impact that it can have, are its antifungal and antibacterial properties. 

TIP: If you are going to feed coconut oil to your dog, a good rule is ¼ teaspoon for every 
20 pounds. 

Chia Seeds

Some pets may have a sensitivity to fish or fish oils that are available for consumption. If 
this is the case, then you may want to try an alternative in the form of chia seeds. These 
versatile little seeds are highly nutritious for your dog, and they are a good source of 
omega 6 fatty acids. These fatty acids can help your dog have healthier skin, fur and 
nails. 

TIP:  You can add them to meat patties for a delicious and special dog treat!

Quinoa

These powerful little seeds are gluten free, and can be a great supplement for your dog 
due to their substantial amount of important amino acids. You will however want to 
serve it in small, cooked amounts due to the oxalates in them. Oxalates in large doses 
can raise the acidity in their urine and cause your dog to develop bladder or kidney 
stones if they ingest too much.  The positive thing about serving small portions is that a 
batch you cook for your dog can last several days, and can be used in a wide variety of 
recipes. 

TIP: Cooking quinoa is much like rice. I cup uncooked to 2 cups water. boil quinoa for 
15 - 20 minutes. Fluff with fork. You can now add a few tablespoons to dry food, left 
over meats
And other ingredients to make a delicious and flavorful meal for your dog. 

Kale

This large and somewhat bitter member of the brassica family could also be a fun and 
nutritious addition to your dog’s diet. This leafy green is high in vitamins C and K, which 
are great for immune health, and blood clotting. It also contains magnesium, potassium, 
and calcium. Just be sure to be careful with this plant as well. It is another vegetable 
that contains oxalates, so you may want to give them small amounts at first to see if 
your dog is sensitive to it before giving them a full portion. If all goes well, you can 
increase the amounts slowly. 

TIP: You can thinly slice a small amount to mix with their food to add a little bit of texture 
and nutrition. You can even steam the kale to soften it up a bit. 

Cats

Your feline friends often have cravings for vegetation in the wild, so it should come as 
no surprise to us that they might be interested in eating veggies from time to time. 
Indoor cats will be seen chewing on house plants, but some decorative plants can be 
poisonous to cats. This is a short list of vegetables that you can give your cat to help 
satisfy their urges to eat vegetation. 

Broccoli

Some cats really love broccoli. It is full of vitamins and essential minerals like B6, E, 
selenium, zinc, phosphorus, and omega 3 fatty acids. It can help them with digestion, 
and is also very high in fiber so it can keep their little bowels moving along in a healthy 
way. Try giving your cat some broccoli and see if it is to their liking. 

Tip: Steam the broccoli to varied amounts of softness and let them try it. Pets can have 
sophisticated tastes just like people.  

Dandelion

There are a number of herbs that are also great for cats. Dandelion contains flavonoids 
that help to act as blood cleansers. The milk thistle of the dandelion is also an effective 
kidney and liver cleanser. Cats with skin issues will also benefit greatly from mixtures 
made with dandelion due to its cortisol content. Another key feature of this marvelous 
plants is that it not only stimulates the system and urine production, but it also adds 
potassium to the system after it’s been lost.

TIP: If your cat is overweight, you can make a mixture of greens with dandelion to help 
with digestion and weight loss.

Cantaloupe

It’s been well documented that cats have a strange attraction to cantaloupe. It is 
believed that the volatiles allow their scent to spread a pleasant smell to cats that 
makes them want to eat it. This particular melon is a great source of omega 3 fatty 
acids, vitamins K, B1,B3, and B6, as well as magnesium. Just be careful that you don’t 
allow them to eat so much of it that they get a stomach ache, or lose interest in other 
foods needed to have a completely healthy diet. 
 
TIP: Cut some cantaloupe into small squares so that your little furry friend can grab and 
eat them easily. If you want to make it a real treat you can add some meat. 

Cranberries

A lot of people wonder if cats can eat cranberries. They can! Cranberries are a good 
source of vitamins K, E, and C. They also contain essential trace minerals like iron, 
manganese, copper, and iron. Some cats may benefit from small amounts of these 
natural supplements to help them with neurological disorders. Aside from that, 
cranberries are anti-inflammatory, and can give a little relief from minor inflammations. 

TIP: You can try mixing a small amount of cranberries with some fresh tuna to give your 
cat some an immune boost.

Yogurt

The idea of giving dairy to cats has become so deeply ingrained in people that you see 
this trope in all sorts of old cartoons and stories for all ages, but the truth is that only 
kittens can drink milk. It is a fact that adult cats are lactose intolerant, and should not 
drink milk. Yogurt however, can be eaten by them, and lots of cats enjoy it! There are 
some health benefits in the form of vitamins and minerals, but keep in mind that cats 
won’t benefit from the probiotics in yogurt due to the amount of bacteria being so 
minute. 

TIP: Plain yogurt is best. Other flavoring might not seem as natural to your cat, and they 
are likely to avoid eating it. 

Cottage Cheese 

While not very common, cats will eat and enjoy cottage cheese. They will usually eat 
just a small amount with other foods. It’s been noted that soft cheeses like camembert, 
boursault, or brie should not be given to your cats. These are likely to make them ill. 
Cottage cheese can give them a small dose of important trace minerals like zinc, 
phosphorus and selenium. 

TIP: try mixing cottage cheese with some chicken bits. 

Spinach

As mentioned before, cats will turn to eating vegetation for different reasons, usually 
stemming from digestion issues. If you notice your cat is in the mood to chew on some 
grass, give them some spinach. It is a great source of iron, copper, vitamin B2, folate, 
vitamin K, choline, and protein, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc, protein and choline.
The fiber in it may help to sweep your furry companions stomach, but as always, start 
out with small amounts.  

TIP: Try shredding or slicing the spinach into very thin cuts so that it resembles grass. 
Place it into a bowl with fresh or canned tuna to get your cat excited for their awesome 
treat!

Carrots

Both tasty and full of vitamins, carrots are an accessible source of trace minerals and 
vitamins that help to promote health, healing, and organ function. Cats will eat small 
amounts of this vegetable if it’s mixed in very minute amount with their regular food. 

TIP: Be sure to cook the carrot and cut it into very small pieces to add to your kitty’s 
food mixture. If the pieces are too large it could be difficult and cause choking. 
