Photo by Marek Szturc on Unsplash

We’ve seen the advertisements on all major platforms. Health and Wellness companies are riding on the trend of pushing superfood products. Restaurants are promoting their sumptuous superfood meals. Some say that these foods are simply a marketing term and do not really mean anything. But beneath the marketing is the fact that those classified as superfoods are indeed foods that are worthy of the title.

So, what is superfood? 

According to The Bark, superfoods are foods that have a high nutritional density with minimum calories. These superfoods help you and your dog fight diseases, boost energy, and maintain good health. In this article, we listed superfoods that are safe for dogs to consume. We also included recipes for treats you can make at home that can help boost your doggo’s immune system. 

10 Superfoods For Your Dogs

There are no set criteria for certain foods to belong in the superfood category, but we can’t deny that most of these contain a lot of nutrients and even contain antioxidants that can keep diseases like cancer at bay.

Carrots

If you’re looking for a low-calorie snack, carrots are right up the alley. They’re high in fiber (which helps with your pup's digestive processes) and beta-carotene. You can give both raw and cooked carrots to puppies and adult dogs. Just make sure to cut into bite-sized pieces to avoid choking, especially in small dogs.

Blueberries

You’re probably wondering, “is it safe to feed blueberries to my dog?” and the answer is a resounding yes! It’s low in sugar, unlike some kibbles that have high sugar content. Bluberries are rich in antioxidants that help your pups stay healthy.

Anchovies and Sardines

These fishes may be tiny but they offer a host of benefits to our furkids. These fishes have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids which help improve your dog’s skin and coat. Anchovies and sardines are also wonderful sources of calcium which supports dog’s joint and bone health.

Honey

This superfood is a superb source of antioxidant compounds like phenols. These help reduce the risk of heart diseases and increase blood flow to the heart. Honey has antifungal and antimicrobial properties, and can help alleviate cure allergies. Just make sure not to feed raw honey to dogs and small quantities is best, as overindulgence can lead to obesity.

Pumpkin

Dogs with digestive problems can benefit from pumpkin, as it can help in maintaining a healthy digestive tract. It’s low in sodium and high in potassium, calcium, and carotenoids (antioxidants that can enhance your pup’s immune system). When buying pumpkin in a can, make sure it’s pure - no spices or sugar added.

Quinoa

Most people consider this as a grain, but quinoa is a seed that’s closely related to spinach. It actually contains all eight of the essential amino acids! The antioxidant levels of quinoa is quite high that it’s said to have healing properties that prevent cancers and other diseases.

Sweet Potatoes

If you’re looking for a sweet, natural treat for your pup, sweet potatoes are safe for them. These tuberous roots have high fiber content that supports a healthy digestive system. They’re low in fat and contain vitamins A, C, and B6.

Chia Seeds

These nutritional powerhouse is quite popular with people who are on a diet and want to lose weight. That’s because chia seeds are packed with nutrients such as protein, magnesium, fiber, B-vitamins, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Just don’t give too much as these contain a high amount of fiber which can also be detrimental to your dog’s health in large doses. 

Mango

This tropical fruit contains antioxidants that help in fighting diseases and protecting cells from harmful free radicals. It’s also loaded with vitamins A, C, E, and B6 that can help prevent degenerative diseases. Loaded with fiber, mangoes aid in supporting your pup’s gastrointestinal system. 

Yogurt

This human food is safe for dogs and one of the best sources of probiotics, which supports gut health. A healthy digestive system means a stronger immune system as well. Yogurt is rich in calcium and protein, which makes it an excellent treat for our furry pals. However, it’s important to give plain (no sweeteners or flavor), low or non-fat yogurt only.

5 Wholesome Superfood Dog Treat Recipes

Sometimes kibble is not enough to keep our pups in tiptop shape, especially when they’re not feeling well and getting picky with their food.
Superfoods can make additions to your pup's meals.

Aside from using them as meal additions, you can give superfoods to your pups as snacks. Looking for a special treat for your precious pup? Here are some homemade dog treats you can easily make at home:

Chia Seed Dog Treats

We got this recipe from The Creek Line House. You can actually make this yummy recipe without eggs. We can use chia and flax seeds as an egg substitute.

What You’ll Need

2 cups of whole grain flour

3 tbsp ground chia seeds (you can use a coffee grinder to ground the seeds)

2 tbsp olive oil 

1.5 cups veggie or beef broth

3 tbsp water

Procedure

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees
• Combine chia seeds and water, let stand for about 30 minutes in a small bowl
• Combine flour, chia/water mixture, and oil in a stand mixer
• With the stand mixer on low, pour in broth slowly until the mixture stands as a dough. You might not need the entire 1.5 cups
• Roll the dough on a floured surface and cut out with cookie cutters
• Line your baking sheets with parchment and bake doggy treats for 30 minutes
• Cool completely before giving treats to Fido

Frozen Pumpkin and Yogurt Treats

You know that moment when you realized you ran out of treats for Fido and he’s staring at you longingly, expecting his treat? A 2-ingredient treat like this yummy pumpkin and yogurt treat should do for now. 

What You’ll Need

1 cup plain yogurt

1 cup pumpkin puree 

Procedure

• Mix the pumpkin puree and yogurt together in a bowl
• Place the mixture into jumbo cube trays and freeze for 24 hours
• If you don’t have enough freezer space, just pop them out of the mold and put them into a freezer bag to save space.

Blueberry Oatmeal Treats

It’s not too late for a valentine treat for your doggos. This can even be a treat for any occasion, even on ordinary days when your precious one needs a smile.

What You’ll Need

4 oz apple-blueberry puree baby food 

¼ cup mashed blueberries

1 cup gluten-free flour or whole wheat flour

1 tbsp ground freeze-dried blueberries (optional)

¼ cup rolled oats

1 tbsp honey

1 large egg, beaten

Procedure

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare baking sheet and line with parchment paper, then set aside
• In a bowl, combine the baby food, mashed blueberries, flour, rolled oats, ground freeze-dried blueberries, and honey. Mix well 
• Roll the dough into a lightly floured surface. Roll out to about ¼ to ½ inch thick
• Use your cookie cutters to cut into desired shapes
• Place the cutouts on the baking sheet and lightly brush tops with beaten egg wash
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes
• Cool treats before serving to your pup

Gluten-Free Sardine Cookies

Like humans, some dogs are also allergic to gluten. And it’s hard to get delightful treats that are gluten-free. If you have a gluten-intolerant dog, these delicious homemade treats might just be what they need.

What You’ll Need

350 grams cooked potatoes 

85 grams canned sardines

1 egg 

2 to 3 tbsp coconut oil 

A bit of flour

Procedure

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare your baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper
• Cook the potatoes. Make sure to drain them well to avoid ending up with too much liquid
• Combine and mash the potatoes and sardines in a bowl 
• Add the egg and coconut oil
• Add flour little by little until you achieve a consistency that’s not too sticky or dry
• Mold the dough into desired shape and arrange them on your baking sheet
• Bake until the top hardens, then flip over to cook the other side
• Cool treats before giving to your dog

Quinoa Crisps with Salmon

What You’ll Need

2 cups canned salmon (don’t throw away the water for blending) 

1 ½ cups to 2 cups quinoa flour 

1 cup cooked quinoa 

2 tbsp dried rosemary 

Procedure

• In a blender, blend the salmon into a thick paste, adding water from the can as needed
• In a medium bowl, mix the salmon paste, quinoa, and rosemary
• Add quinoa flour to create a loose, non-sticky dough (how much flour you’ll be adding depends on how much water you added in the salmon paste
• Knead mixture, then place the dough between two layers of parchment paper
• Roll dough out to ⅛ thick
• Remove the top layer of parchment and carefully cut the dough into crackers
• Arrange crackers on your baking sheet and bake at 200°F for 3 hours, then flip. Return to the oven for another 2 to 4 hours or until crispy all the way. 

Now that you know that superfoods aren’t just for humans, don’t be afraid to feed your doggos superfoods that are safe for them to eat!

IMPORTANT NOTE: You should always discuss dietary concerns with your veterinarian; this blog post is only intended to be a reference guide and does not constitute veterinary/medical advice.