Boosting The Bowl

With a group of over 50,000 pet owners, it’s safe to say we see a lot of different diets being fed! Whilst we favour predominantly fresh feeding (be that raw or cooked) we understand that this isn’t an attainable option for every pet owner. 

Especially in the climate, we find ourselves in with the cost of living on the rise - now more than ever, more and more pet owners will be looking to find ways to save money and for some this may mean changing their dog back to a commercial diet. 

For others, who may already feed kibble, we (along with many other canine nutrition experts) recommend adding to the bowl nutritional superfoods to replace nutrients lost during the high-heat processing of commercial pet foods. 

There are a variety of different ways to boost your dog's nutrition so let's start breaking it down; 

Foods

1. Whole Eggs - Raw Eggs are nutrient-dense and as the whole thing can be fed - they are minimal waste too! Eggs are a great source of selenium, iron, vitamin A, riboflavin, fatty acids, vitamin B12, and folate. If your dog won't eat the cracked shell, consider grinding it down into a powder - 1/2 teaspoon of powdered eggshell equals 1000mg of calcium. The membrane is also great for your dog's joint health too! And if your dog suffers from joint pain, the membrane lining the eggshell is rich in:

• Collagen

• Chondroitin

• Hyaluronic acid

• Glucosamine

For arthritic dogs, a 2016 study found that eggshell membranes significantly reduced joint pain in 51 dogs with joint issues. You can read more about eggs here.

Feeding Guidelines

Start with just one egg and if your dog doesn’t get any digestive upset, they should be fine with getting eggs regularly. You could cook the egg but you’ll lose some nutrition, so it’s best to feed raw eggs to dogs if you can. Organic free range is best here but feed the best you can afford!  

2. Fish - Fresh/tinned/frozen - fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, selenium, calcium and more.  Fish can help regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation, and so can be helpful for dogs with allergies, arthritis, and autoimmune disease. DHA is also good for brain health, which can benefit both puppies and senior dogs.

The best fish to feed are the smaller ones like sardines, sprats, and mackerel. One small canned sardine provides about 25 calories and 175 mg of omega-3 fatty acids, a good amount for a small dog (10kg and under). Give larger dogs proportionately more.

Feeding Guidelines

If you are opting for tinned fish - go for the ones in spring water otherwise it's best to rinse off the sauce/oil in the other varieties. You can buy whole frozen fish rather cheaply from most raw food suppliers such as Paws naturally in the UK or Raw feeding Miami in the USA.  You can check out our fish feeding guide for more information about what fish to feed and how much here remember that if you're feeding raw fresh fish - it needs to be frozen for 3 weeks before feeding. Otherwise, you can feed this cooked. 

3. Plant matter - leafy greens, berries, broccoli & broccoli sprouts, sweet potato and pumpkin are great additions - They contain phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals, proteins, lipids, fibre, enzymes and moisture. Phytonutrients are anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory and anti-worms! A 2005 Purdue university study found that Dogs who ate any green leafy vegetables added to their bowls just 3 times a week had a 90% reduced risk of developing bladder cancer. 

Berries are great additions due to their high antioxidant nature which can help fight off disease and inflammation as well as aid in detoxing the liver from pesticides and other toxins. 

Sweet Potato and Pumpkin are also great in addition to the reasons above, they are also great to help settle your dog's stomach in periods of diarrhoea or constipation. Overall adding fresh fruit and veggies can help your dog's immune system and gut. 

Feeding Guidelines

Gently steam or blitz veggies in a food processor to break down the cell wall to make them bioavailable for your dog. Don't go overboard with plant matter - if your dog is on a fresh diet it should ideally only consist of 10-15% max of your dog's daily intake. - If your dog is on commercial food - 15%. stick with about 1-2 teaspoons for puppies, and no more than 1-4 tablespoons for adult dogs.

4. Kefir and Or Goats Yoghurt  - A natural source of prebiotics and probiotics, whilst being much lower in lactose (most dogs struggle to digest lactose) is another food that is inexpensive and easy to feed.

The probiotics (beneficial bacteria) in these foods provide a plethora of benefits for all dogs but are especially good for dogs with digestive problems. Kefir and goats milk/yoghurt typically contain more probiotics than just Lactobacillus acidophilus and may provide additional benefits to the digestive tract - you can find out more about these in our superfoods library linked here 

Feeding Guidelines

Introduce kefir/goat’s milk or yoghurt to your dog gradually, especially if your dog is particularly sensitive. Work up to a dose of 1 teaspoon per 10kg (20lbs). When buying Goats milk or yoghurt, ideally you want to be buying raw milk/yoghurt.

Please note that Kefir and fermented raw goat milk (along with any fermented product) is NOT SUITABLE FOR ITCHY DOGS DUE TO THE HIGH HISTAMINE CONTENT.

5. Bone broth - this universal superfood is a great all-rounder for all ages. You can make this at home quite cheaply by simmering animal bones leftover from your meals or you'll be able to obtain free bones from most butchers. Many brands also make premade bone broth - that can be stored in the freezer and even in the cupboard now thanks to brands like Karnlea and Boil and Broth! Bone broth is great for boosting the immune system as its high in protein and also contains anti-inflammatory amino acids, vitamins, and minerals including calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. The collagen in cartilage and bone also yields gelatin, a protein that helps support and nourish skin health, gut health and joint health. Bone broth contains other compounds that can help dogs’ joints, including glucosamine and chondroitin, which have been shown to support joint health and slow or halt the progression of degenerative joint diseases like hip dysplasia and arthritis.

Feeding Guidelines

Start off with half the dose if your dog isn’t used to whole foods - we recommend feeding around 30ml for every 10kg of body weight. A lot of people often think that if their broth doesn’t “gel” once refrigerated - that it’s no good. But this isn’t the case and the broth can still be just as nutritious in its liquid state. You can also use it to make frozen treats or to float meals daily if you’re needing to get more fluids into your dog.

6. Mushrooms - mushrooms deserve their place on the list since There's not any one plant that can do as much as a mushroom can, they're miracle plants! Whilst the super mushroom varieties can be a little bit more expensive than standard mushrooms - they are worth their weight in gold when it comes to benefiting your dog's health. They're high in enzymes, amino acids, minerals, potassium, ergosterol, and vitamins b2 & C. They have also been found to stimulate white blood cells! Other recent studies report that substances in this popular fungus, can reduce blood pressure, decrease blood cholesterol levels, and prevent heart disease, and cancer. You can learn more about them here. 

Feeding Guidelines

To give your dog mushrooms, you can give your dog whole mushrooms, in their original form, it's best to gently steam or blitz them to make them more bioavailable for your dog to benefit from their nutrients. As above, Don't go overboard with plant matter - if your dog is on a fresh diet it should ideally only consist of 10-15% max of your dog's daily intake. - If your dog is on commercial food - 15%. stick with about 1-2 teaspoons for puppies, and no more than 1-4 tablespoons for adult dogs.

You can also boost your bone broth by adding mushrooms to the broth in its final stages.

Seeds & Herbs 

There are several seeds and herbs that you may already have in your pantry and or garden. Many of the herbs you may have already growing in your garden - alternatively, you can find most herbs available for less than £2 in supermarkets which can be taken home and planted to provide months and often years' worth of benefit!

1. Chia Seeds - Chia seeds can be bought in large quantities for a fairly low price online  - These seeds are proven to contain above-average levels of antioxidants, which trap free radicals, proteins, fibre, vitamins, and minerals, all of which have positive effects on the immune system and metabolism. Veterinarians in Canada and the united states have used this super seed for quite some time now to treat diseases like diabetes and for gastrointestinal problems and animals at risk of heart disease. A study by nsri Massachusetts (USA) showed a blood-thinning effect, which helps to regulate blood sugar levels and is said to minimize the risk of heart attack and stroke. They are great for digestion, fibre, adding calories as well as reducing inflammation - you can learn more about them here 

Feeding Guidelines

Chia stores very easily for long durations, unlike its competitor flaxseed. There is no taste or scent for even the pickiest of dogs to turn their noses up at, and so many dogs will eat chia happily.

• 1 teaspoon for small dogs

• 2 teaspoons for large dogs

• Or 1/2 teaspoon for every 10kg of your dog's body weight.

2. Slippery Elm And Or Marshmallow Root - these are fantastic adaptogenic prebiotic herbs that not only help feed the good bacteria in your dog's guts - they can also help with sickness, diarrhoea, constipation, Leaky gut, anal gland issues, and provide support for dogs with kennel cough. These herbs are also high in antioxidants that fight inflammation and chronic disease. You can learn more about these herbs here.

Feeding Guidelines

Dose 1/2 teaspoon of dried powder per kg of body weight. To treat illness or symptoms from illness, we find mixing it with hot water (and left to cool) and dosing orally is best. Otherwise, you can mix it into food or in a bit of kefir/goat milk/yoghurt. 

3. Parsley - Parsley is fairly rich in Vitamins A, C, and K as well as

trace minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron and it's also packed with chlorophyll. Parsley also boasts several volatile oils which have natural anti-inflammatory properties in addition to their antimicrobial and carminative benefits. Especially Great for arthritis and urinary health - it's great added into treats and meals to also help to freshen your dog's breath as well as helping to eliminate harmful bacteria in the mouth. Because it's rich in calcium and fluorine - they can help to remineralise tooth enamel. 

Feeding Guidelines

Parsley can be fed fresh or you can make a tea with it. 

We particularly like making a green smoothie with lots of herbs mixed with bone broth/water/goat milk and using the leftovers to make frozen treats!

A little goes a long way with parsley - feed 1 teaspoon per 10kg of body weight - never feed the seeds.

4. Chamomile - also known as Matricaria recutita, is a great natural anti-microbial remedy for most digestive disorders including diarrhoea, nausea, etc., and also works well for relieving pain, especially German chamomile (Matricaria recutita). It tends to calm the digestive system and relieve spasms and gas. Great for hunger Pukes and allergy-prone itchy dogs too. It can also help calm dogs with anxiety/nervousness and can be used internally and /or topically to help soothe skin allergies as well as respiratory.

Feeding Guidelines

Chamomile can be given to your dogs in many ways. Topically to apply to skin problems or to clean wounds/eyes. You can also use the flowers to make a tea by steeping 2 teaspoons of flowers in filtered water for 5 minutes. 

In its tea form you can give 2 teaspoons per 10kg of body weight.

5. Turmeric/golden paste - Turmeric “the golden spice" has been used for centuries in ayurvedic medicine. It is extremely versatile and has wonderful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in humans and now It's increasingly popular as a Supplement for dogs. Turmeric contains curcuminoids, which are bioactive compounds, and curcumin is one of these curcuminoid compounds. Along with lessening existing inflammation and dampening future inflammatory pathways, it’s also well known for reducing the pain response, and some people can use it in place of NSAIDs. Those same anti-inflammatory properties can help soother gi problems. Turmeric can help break down fats and remove waste to help promote a healthy liver, if your dog has a pre-existing liver dysfunction or has a weak liver, turmeric can play a huge role in supporting your dog's health. If your dog suffers from congestive heart failure, then the curcumin in turmeric is an excellent addition to their diet. Turmeric's bioavailability can be increased by adding fresh ground black pepper.

Feeding Guidelines

For us, we find the best way to feed is to buy or make golden paste. Which can easily be made at home or bought from the most reputable pet shops. The recommended dose of turmeric for dogs is 1/8 to 1/4 tsp per day for every 5kg of body weight.

Summary 

As always - when it comes to anything being added to your dog's diet whether it be daily or a couple of times a week - we recommend opting for organically sourced wherever possible. 

Every dog is an individual and just because plant matter is beneficial - this does not mean it is suitable for every dog. If you have never fed plant matter before, we suggest starting with one ingredient and building up slowly and incorporating more into the diet if your dog is happy and reacts well to it. If any issues arise this also means you can isolate the ingredient. 

Commonly, you may seem some digestive upset at first if your dog is used to commercial food only - if this happens follow our loose stool protocol and half the feeding amount. If you’re in the uk and your dog struggles transitioning, then I really recommend the herbal remedy, “Tum Ease” by phytopet which is a carefully selected blend of botanical extracts that can help ease your dog through transition.

If your dog has known intolerances or allergies, we would recommend sticking to low histamine plant matter and introducing it slowly, over an extended period, ensuring you are leaving time for a pause to ensure there are no reactions on any level. 

For puppies, The study done by Misa Sandri et al.2017 found that introducing as many different foods into the diet from a young age is crucial to helping train their gut and building a strong and effective microbiome. As a group, we also feel that incorporating different food types into the bowl encourages a stronger eater as an adult. 

Finally, should any of our readers/members find themselves struggling to afford to feed their dogs a healthy diet - please do reach out to our team whether it be via the group or our contact forms, social platforms or chat function - our team will do what we can to help find the best solution for your circumstances without any judgment.