Ghee

What is ghee?

Until recently, I had seen Ghee added to some food bowls here and there but I never actually knew what Ghee was. After seeing it posted in the group so much, I decided to speak to the dog nutritionist to find out if it was a good “bowl add” It was after this that I decided to look into Ghee a bit more! After a few hours of research, I was pleasantly surprised and quickly purchased some to start adding them to my dog's meals. 

Ghee, often referred to as clarified butter, has been utilized for centuries in various cultures for its culinary and medicinal properties. In recent years, it has gained popularity not only in human nutrition but also as a beneficial addition to canine diets. So, what exactly is ghee, and why is it garnering attention as a holistic nutritional supplement for dogs?

If like me, you have never heard of Ghee either, Ghee is clarified butter, which means the butter has been simmered and strained to remove all water. Ghee has been around for centuries and has played a key role in Ayurveda, where it's prized for its anti-inflammatory, digestive, and therapeutic properties. I even discovered that it even appears in the Vedic myth of creation, when the deity Prajapati created ghee from “nothingness” and poured it into the fire to form his offspring. It is used mostly in east Indian cooking but as mentioned above, it offers many benefits when added to your dog's bowl. 

Nutritional Composition

Ghee is renowned for its nutritional richness, boasting a profile that includes essential fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins, and other beneficial compounds. Here’s a closer look at its key components:

1. Essential Fatty Acids: Ghee is abundant in essential fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fats are vital for canine health, supporting immune function, promoting brain development, and maintaining healthy skin and coat.

2. Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Ghee contains fat-soluble vitamins A, E, and K, which play crucial roles in various physiological processes. Vitamin A supports vision and immune function, vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, and vitamin K is essential for blood clotting and bone health.

3. Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs): Ghee contains medium-chain triglycerides, or MCTs, which are easily digestible fats that provide a quick source of energy. MCTs are particularly beneficial for dogs with digestive issues or those needing an energy boost, such as active or working dogs.

4. Butyric Acid: Ghee contains butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid with anti-inflammatory and gut-healing properties. Butyric acid supports digestive health by nourishing the cells lining the colon, improving gut integrity, and reducing the risk of gastrointestinal disorders.

Benefits 

1. Immunity Boost

Ghee is bursting with vitamin A Which helps to kill off free radicals in the body that may cause disease, It increases the immune system’s ability to function properly and It helps to fight off any foreign organisms that may breach the system and cause the body harm.

2. Healthy Joints

Because Ghee is one of the only foods that are rich in Vitamin K2, Ghee helps contribute to building strong bones and also lubricates the hips and joints. 

Vitamin K is an essential vitamin for the body’s absorption of calcium and amongst other things is critical for:

  • Building strong bones

  • Allowing tendons and ligaments to have more flexibility

  • Prolonging the process of tooth decay for healthier teeth and gums

If you’re a raw feeder, you will already know how important calcium is for your dog. Ghee is a perfect supplement that complements all the amazing things a good diet can give your dog.

3. Skin And Coat

Ghee is high in butyric acid. Which reduces inflammation in the dog's skin, hips and joints. Ghee can also help with many common skin irritations your dog may have. This means you can either feed ghee or apply it topically to your dog's coat/paws.

* first and foremost, always talk to your holistic vet if your dog is experiencing any skin irritations as they are commonly an outward sign of inward stress*.

4. Improved Digestion 

Butyric acid is not only great for the skin, but it’s also essential for healthy digestion.

Ghee helps to;

  • Strengthen the lining in the intestinal wall.

  • Reduce gastrointestinal inflammation.

  • Reduce the risk of undigested food particles leaking into the body via the digestive tract.

5. Healthy Vision

Ghee can help improve brain health and cognitive functions such as vision. Ghee is rich in cholesterol, another vitally important brain-boosting nutrient. The body needs cholesterol for:

  • Forming and maintaining cell membranes and structures.

  • Making critical hormones like the stress hormone cortisol.

  • Helping the liver make bile.

  • Insulating nerves.

  • Due to the Vitamin A in ghee, the body’s increased immune system and ability to fight off free radicals help to protect against numerous eye diseases caused by the degeneration of macular cells as well.

Conclusion

Ghee is more than just a flavorful cooking ingredient; it’s a nutritional powerhouse with numerous benefits for canine wellness. By incorporating organic ghee into your dog’s diet in moderation, you can provide them with essential nutrients, support their digestive health, and contribute to their overall vitality and longevity.


What to look for

As with any product you buy for your dog it is important to make sure it is of high quality. I always recommend with food supplements, to buy organic, non-GMO and ensure it is stored in a glass jar. For Ghee specifically, you’ll also want to ensure that the ghee is grass-fed.

If you would like a product recommendation, some good UK options are; 

  • Grass-fed organic ghee “Pukka Brand”

  • Grass-fed organic ghee “Ossa” brand 

  • Grass-fed organic ghee “Fushi” brand. 

  • If you’re in the USA; Grass-fed, Organic Ghee “4th & Heart” brand 

Feeding Guide

First and foremost, you must not add Ghee to your dog's diet if they suffer from pancreatitis. Also, foods that contain MCT’s like Ghee, should not be fed to dogs with MCADD. MCADD stands for Medium-chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency. It’s a genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to break down certain fats for energy.

Because ghee is purely saturated and unsaturated fats, a little goes a very very long way. You can apply ghee topically to your dog if they have any dry skin or dry pads - it’s very nourishing and as such doesn’t need to be used daily - I would recommend only using it around twice a week.

As for all of my supplements, I rotate them to ensure I am not overloading each meal with supplements. I have been using ghee at least 3 times a week - I have been using it for several years now in rotation and have seen great improvements in our dogs skin and paw pads. 

As mentioned above, you only need to feed a small amount:

  • Small dog 2 - 11kg – 1/4 tsp

  • Medium dog 11kg to 25kg – 1/2 tsp

  • Large dog 25kg and + – 1 tsp

Will you be adding ghee to your dog's food bowl? If so let me know by sharing a picture of your dog enjoying some ghee in their diet in group or instagram and tag us!