22 Best Superfoods for Dogs and Why They Matter
Superfoods offer many health benefits due to their high nutrient density. These foods can help support almost every part of your dog’s body, and many of them are found in high-quality dog foods. This makes it easier to give your dog the healthiest food you can!
In this guide, we cover the top superfoods for dogs, how each one supports their health, and how to make sure your dog gets these nutrients as part of their complete and balanced diet.
Key Takeaways
- Superfoods are whole foods packed with vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and other nutrients that support overall health.
- Blueberries, salmon, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potatoes, chia seeds, and eggs are some of the best superfoods for dogs.
- These superfoods support digestion, immunity, skin and coat health, joint health, and cognitive function.
- The easiest way to feed your dog superfoods is by choosing a complete and balanced dog food featuring superfood ingredients.
- Consult your veterinarian before making big changes to your dog's diet.
What Are Superfoods?
Superfoods are whole foods chock-full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and other beneficial nutrients. Although superfoods don’t have an official scientific definition, they’re widely recognized for their high nutritional value.
Superfoods can help support your dog’s:
- Immune system function
- Digestive health
- Skin and coat condition
- Joint mobility
- Cognitive function
Superfood Fruits
Blueberries
You’ve probably heard that blueberries are considered a superfood. They’re rich in antioxidants, vitamins C and K, and fiber, and may support the cognitive function of older dogs.
Blueberries are low in calories and high in phytochemicals (such as polyphenols and carotenoids), which may help protect your dog against chronic disease and support their heart health.
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Apples
Apples are a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as dietary fiber. They also contain antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation. Finally, apples support digestive health and immune function.
Cranberries
Cranberries might be best known for supporting urinary tract health. They’re also high in fiber and antioxidants, a natural source of vitamins C, E, and K, and low in both calories and fat. Perfect for your pup!
Watermelon
Watermelon has a very high water content (up to 92%) and natural electrolytes, which make it an excellent source of hydration. This quintessential summer snack also contains vitamins A, B6, and C.
Pear
Pears contain a healthy dose of potassium, which can help take care of your dog’s muscle and nerve functions. Pears are also a good source of vitamin C and fiber, and support your dog’s digestive health.
Coconut
Coconut is the last superfood in the fruit department. It contains healthy fats important for digestion, as well as lauric acid, which helps prevent infections and support skin health.
Superfood Vegetables
Pumpkin
Pumpkin pops up in all sorts of foods in the fall, but it’s a year-round superfood. High in soluble fiber, beta carotene, vitamins A and C, and potassium, pumpkin can help support digestive regularity, as well as healthy gut function and stool quality.
Sweet Potato
Another orange favorite! Rich in fiber, vitamin A, and potassium, sweet potatoes support digestive health. And because they’re a complex carbohydrate, they offer sustained energy for your busy dog.
Spinach
Containing iron, vitamin K, and antioxidants, spinach can support both immune function and bone health. It also has a very high nutrient-to-calorie ratio, making it a great choice for packing in nutrients, not pounds.
Kale
Greens like kale offer your dog some nutritional variety in their diet. Kale is high in vitamins A, C, and K and contains important antioxidant components.
Carrot
Another food known for its superpowers, carrots live up to their reputation for supporting eyesight. They’re also rich in beta carotene and vitamin A, are a good source of fiber, and help with digestive health and immune function.
Green beans
Green beans are a source of fiber and vitamins C and K, as well as manganese, an essential trace mineral beneficial for functions such as bone formation, blood clotting, and immune functions.
On top of all that, because green beans are low-calorie superfoods, they can help support your dog’s weight management plan.
Superfood Proteins
Salmon
Salmon is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which can be beneficial for your dog’s skin, coat, and joints. This favorite fish also promotes brain health and cognitive function and is a high-quality, easily digestible, delicious protein.
Eggs
Eggs are a complete source of protein and contain all nine essential amino acids. They also have vitamins A, D, E, and B12, as well as biotin.
Eggs are a source of glucosamine, which are important for your dog’s joint health. Lastly, eggs are beneficial for muscle maintenance and coat health.
Chicken
Probably coming as no surprise, chicken is a complete source of protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. It’s also full of vitamins B3 and B6, which are useful for metabolizing energy.
White Fish
A lean source of protein, white fish is low in fat and calories. It provides amino acids for muscle and bone strength and, in general, supports the growth and health of your dog, no matter their age.
Turkey
If your dog has a sensitive digestive system, turkey may be the perfect choice. It contains high-quality, highly digestible protein, as well as tryptophan, which helps create serotonin, a hormone often associated with a calm, relaxed mood.
Duck
Duck is a high-quality protein full of essential amino acids, supports strong muscle development, and is a great alternative for dogs who have common protein sensitivities.
Superfood Grains and Seeds
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are full of all kinds of good stuff: Omega 3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, and fiber for digestive assistance.
Flaxseed
Flaxseeds contain essential nutrients for the overall health of your dog. Like chia seeds, they are full of Omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. A great addition to your dog’s daily diet!
Brown Rice
Carbohydrates are important for providing sustained energy for your dog, especially if they’re active. But not all carbs are alike. Brown rice is a great whole grain source of carbohydrates, as well as fiber, and supports your dog’s ability to absorb nutrients.
Oats
If your dog has a wheat sensitivity, oats are a good way to get carbohydrates. Full of B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and soluble fiber, oats give your dog the nutrients they need for energy, absorption, and digestive health.
How to Include Superfoods in Your Dog's Diet
If you want your dog to give superfoods a try, just remember to keep these suggestions in mind for a smooth transition:
- Offer new foods in small amounts to test your dog’s tolerance.
- Limit treats to no more than 10% of their daily calorie intake.
- Keep it plain: no salt, sugar, seasonings, garlic, or onion.
- Cook the superfood when appropriate (eggs, fish, and chicken are great examples) and remove seeds, pits, and skins.
Watch your dog closely during this trial period for reactions such as vomiting, diarrhea, excessive itching, or lethargy. If symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, stop feeding the new food and contact your veterinarian.
You can also make things easier for yourself (and just as delicious and nutritious for your dog!) by choosing a complete and balanced commercial dog food full of superfood ingredients.
Feed Your Dog Superfoods with NUTRO™ Recipes
Your dog deserves superfood! What’s the simplest way to add these whole food, nutrient-rich ingredients to your dog’s diet? Through a complete and balanced dog food. The NUTRO™ Brand has exactly what you need and your dog wants.
NUTRO™ recipes consist of real foods you can recognize. Their main ingredients are proteins such as chicken, lamb, or salmon, followed by some of the superfoods we’ve been discussing, like brown rice, spinach, pumpkin, and chia seeds.
Your dog may be a puppy or a senior; they may be small or large. They may like to lie close to you or accompany you on a run. The NUTRO™ Brand has formulas for everyone. Because no matter what kind of dog you have, one thing is for sure: they are super!
Contributor
Jessica Gilliam is a veterinarian with more than 14 years of clinical experience, specializing in small animal medicine. She is passionate about surgery, dentistry, mentorship, and education. Jessica serves as the Community Chair for the Tennessee Market at Banfield and oversees Mars Petcare’s PetConnect chat, which offers free educational support for pet parents. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and baking.